UAlbany Claims Second Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner’s Cup

PORTLAND, Maine -- Winning eight America East championships during the 2012-13 season, the University at Albany has claimed the conference’s Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner’s Cup for the second time in school history, announced by the league office Tuesday evening at its annual awards dinner in Portland, Maine.

The Commissioner’s Cup annually recognizes the strongest athletic program in the America East Conference as determined by a scoring system, which rewards a school for success both during the regular season and championship competition in the conference’s 20 sports.

"The Commissioner's Cup symbolizes broad-based excellence which is defined by the dedication and commitment of our student-athletes, coaches and staff,” said Vice President of Athletic Administration and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Dr. Lee McElroy. “This significant distinction reflects the mission and values of the University."

The Great Danes tied an America East record by winning eight league titles and also captured four regular-season crowns with as many runner-up finishes to help net 390 points -- 90 more than any other school, marking the largest margin of victory since 2002.

Stony Brook came in second place for the second time in four years, earning 300 points, followed by UMBC (246 points) in third, University of New Hampshire (227) in fourth, Binghamton University (220) in fifth, University of Vermont (216) in sixth, University of Hartford (191), University of Maine (169) and Boston University (162).

UAlbany 2012-13 Highlights
• Won second America East Commissioner’s Cup in program history (2004-05).
• Captured conference championships in field hockey, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track & field and men’s lacrosse.
• Regular-season champions in volleyball, women’s basketball, men’s lacrosse and softball.
• Runners up in volleyball, women’s tennis and softball.
• Reached championship final in 8-of-11 America East sponsored sports.
• Won both basketball championships in the same year -- just the sixth occurrence in league history.

The scoring system for the Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner’s Cup is as follows: In sports where regular-season round robin competition is conducted, the first-place institution in the final standings receives four points times the total number of teams involved in conference play. The second-place institution receives four less points; third place receives eight less points, and so on. Additionally, the America East (tournament) champion receives two points times the total number of teams participating in the championship. The second-place institution receives two less points; third place receives four less points and so on down to the last-place institution which receives two points.

In sports where regular-season round robin competition is not conducted (cross country, tennis, track & field, swimming & diving), the first-place institution at the America East championship receives two points times the total number of teams participating in the championship. The second-place institution receives two less points; third place gets four less points and so on down to the last place team which receives two points.