For the third straight year, Eastern Connecticut State University has claimed the Little East Conference (LEC) Commissioner’s Cup, the league’s top honor for overall athletic performance among the LEC’s nine primary member institutions. The Warriors captured the 2018-19 Commissioner’s Cup after accumulating a point average of 6.26. Eastern’s accomplishment is especially significant as it has only 17 of the 19 varsity sports for which LEC members earn points.

“We are delighted to win the Commissioner’s Cup for the third year in a row for having the best athletic record in the Little East Conference,” said Eastern President Elsa Núñez. “Our student-athletes are bringing honor and recognition to the University while achieving great heights on the playing field.

“I am equally proud that our athletes take their studies seriously as they prepare for rewarding professional careers. Our student-athletes apply their teamwork skills, self-discipline and a commitment to excellence in and out of class on campus, and they demonstrate the same standards in athletic competition.

“For Eastern athletes to perform at a consistently high level across varsity sports in the conference is a tribute to them, their coaches and our Athletic Department. I could not be more proud of the Warriors!”

Eastern Connecticut Director of Athletics Lori Runksmeier added, “Eastern athletics has a long and proud tradition of success. Winning the LEC Commissioner’s Cup for the third year in a row is a result of the hard work our student-athletes and coaches have put in this year and is a testament to the support that athletics receives from the University. The Little East Conference is a strong league, and knowing we need to push ourselves to be competitive makes us better.”

Eastern claimed the outright regular season title in men’s soccer, and was one of two programs to share the regular season championship in men’s basketball and women’s soccer. The Warriors were second in the conference standings in women’s basketball and women’s cross country, and totaled four third-place finishes – men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, softball, and women’s swimming and diving. Only two of Eastern’s 17 programs placed lower than fourth in the LEC standings in 2018-19.

“Congratulations to the Eastern Connecticut State University administration, coaches and student-athletes on earning three Commissioner’s Cups (the LEC’s highest athletic award) in a row,” said Little East Commissioner Cora H.L. Brumley. “The Warriors exemplify the NCAA Division III philosophy by consistently excelling both on and off the field of play.”

The University of Southern Maine finished second in the 2018-19 Commissioner’s Cup standings, followed by Keene State College, UMass Dartmouth, Plymouth State University, Rhode Island College, UMass Boston, Western Connecticut State University and Castleton University.