LATHAM, N.Y. – The United East Conference awarded the 2022-23 United East Presidents' Cup at the Presidents' Council Tuesday (May 23) and in just its second year as a United East member, St. Mary's College of Maryland has claimed this year's Presidents' Cup. The Seahawks edged second-place SUNY Morrisville by 0.31 points for the win.
"What a tremendous honor it is for St. Mary's and the athletic department to earn the United East Presidents' Cup. This is a testament to the continuous hard work and dedication of our coaching staff, support staff, and of course, our student-athletes' sacrifices to represent the institution in the highest regard," Director of Athletics & Recreation
Crystal Gibson said.
The Presidents' Cup annually recognizes the athletic achievements of its members. The Presidents' Cup is determined by a scoring system which rewards a school for success during both regular season and postseason competition. St. Mary's College finished as the runner-up last season in its inaugural year in the league.
The conference sponsors 14 championships with the Seahawks having the potential to compete in 12 as SMCM does not sponsor men's golf or softball.
This season, St. Mary's lifted United East tournament championship trophies in five different sports – women's cross country, men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, men's tennis, and women's tennis. Additionally, the Seahawks competed in the postseason in all but three of the 12 tournament championships for which they are eligible.
Along with their five tournament championship titles, St. Mary's captured five regular-season championship crowns in men's soccer, men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, men's tennis, and women's tennis.
The Seahawks led the Presidents' Cup standings after the fall season with an average of 7.80 points, half a point ahead of Morrisville (7.30). St. Mary's then dropped to third with an average of 7.43 points behind Morrisville (7.57), who claimed the women's basketball tournament championship, and Lancaster Bible College (7.50), who won the men's basketball title.
Penn State Harrisburg rounded out the top-three with an average of 7.08 points following league titles in men's soccer and baseball.
Gibson added, "We are extremely grateful to be amongst such great peer institutions within the league to compete alongside throughout the year."
This marks the second year the United East will be rolling out the Presidents' Cup. Under the former moniker, the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC), the conference awarded cups in athletic success, academic excellence, community service and sportsmanship, compiling the results of those awards to determine one overall winner of the Presidents' Cup. In the current structure, the conference awards athletic achievement while expanding its awards program and its recognition in academics, service, and sportsmanship, placing greater emphasis on those pillars consistently throughout the academic year.
2022-23 Presidents' Cup Final Standings
- St. Mary's College (7.75)
- SUNY Morrisville (7.44)
- Penn State Harrisburg (7.08)
- Lancaster Bible College (6.23)
- Penn College (5.31)
- Penn State Berks (5.08)
- Penn State Abington (4.58)
- Gallaudet University (2.44)
- Wells College (2.22)
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