WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – For the sixth consecutive season, Eastern Connecticut State University has claimed the  Little East Conference Commissioner's Cup, the league's top honor for overall institutional athletic performance among the league's nine primary member institutions among its championship sports.
 
One of six original institutions when the LEC was formed as a basketball-only conference in 1986/87, Eastern captured its sixth cup overall in the 22-year history of the award after accumulating a point average of 7.11 among its 19 programs in 2022/23. Eastern claimed the top spot in the conference in women's basketball, softball and men's golf, and scored second-place points in baseball, women's cross country, men's soccer, men's and women's swimming & diving, men's indoor track & field, and men's and women's outdoor track & field. No team from Eastern finished lower than fifth once again this season. Eastern sponsors every LEC championship sport with the exception of men's and women's tennis.
 
"I continue to be amazed by the athletic abilities of our student-athletes," said Eastern President Elsa Núñez. "For them to win the Commissioner's Cup six years in a row is an enduring testimony of their dedication and commitment to sport. I'd also like to give praise to our coaching staff, who year after year instill the ethics of hard work, team play and sportsmanship. Together, our student-athletes and supporting staff are creating a legacy of excellence on and off the field." 
 
Director of Athletics Lori Runksmeier added "The competition in the LEC sees more parity every year, which makes earning this achievement more special each year. I'm proud that our student-athletes and the athletics department staff worked so hard to keep the LEC Commissioner's Cup at Eastern."
 
"The Warriors' student-athletes, coaches and staff continue to set the standard for competitive excellence in the LEC," said LEC Commissioner Dr. Pamela S. Samuelson. "My congratulations to President Elsa Núñez and Lori Runksmeier, as well as all in Eastern athletics on their success this year."
 
University of Southern Maine finished second in the LEC Commissioner's Cup standings for the second consecutive year with a scoring average of 6.26 points. The Huskies were the top scoring program in men's women's indoor and outdoor track & field, field hockey and women's soccer, and were third in baseball, softball, men's basketball, men's golf, men's indoor and outdoor track & field, women's lacrosse
 
A winner of the first 16 Commissioner's Cups, Keene State College placed third in the standings with a scoring average of 5.68 points. The Owls were the top scoring program in men's basketball, women's cross country, and men's and women's swimming & diving, and were second in women's indoor track & field and women's volleyball.
 
For sports in which the LEC conducts in-season play (baseball, basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball), points are determined by the ranked order of finish in the final regular season standings. For sports that do not conduct in-season play (cross country, swimming & diving, track & field), points are awarded based on the order of finish at the LEC championship meet.

 
2022-23 LEC Commissioner's Cup Final Standings
1. Eastern Connecticut - 7.11
2. Southern Maine - 6.26
3. Keene State - 5.68
4. Western Connecticut - 5.38
5. UMass Dartmouth - 5.26
6. Plymouth State - 5.13
7. Rhode Island College - 5.06
8. UMass Boston - 4.78
9. Castleton - 3.97

                 In-Season Play, 2022-23
 
Sport                             Place           LEC Record
Softball                          1^st                16-0  1.000
Basketball, Women        t-1^st             15-1    .938
Baseball                         2^nd               15-1    .938
Soccer, Men                   t-2^nd            6-2      .750
Basketball, Men              t-3^rd             10-6    .626
Volleyball, Women        t-4^th             5-3      .625
Soccer, Women              5^th               3-2-3   .563
Lacrosse, Women           5^th               3-4      .429
Lacrosse, Men                6th*            3-5      .375
Field Hockey                  9^th*              4-8      .333
 
*-Fifth among primary LEC institutions     
 
         LEC Championship Meets, 2022-23
 
Golf, Men                                          1^st     
Outdoor Track & Field, Men              2^nd
Outdoor Track & Field, Women         2^nd
Indoor Track & Field, Men                 2nd
Cross Country, Women                      2nd
Cross Country, Men                           3^rd              
Swimming & Diving, Women               3^rd
Swimming & Diving, Men                    3^rd
Indoor Track & Field, Women            4th
 
LITTLE EAST CONFERENCE
COMMISSIONER'S CUP
22 Years
 
                                      ECSU
Year                     Place Points         Winner
2022-23                1^st      7.11            Eastern Conn.
2021-22                1^st      7.63            Eastern Conn.
2020-21                         Not awarded
2019-20                1^st      6.59            Eastern Conn.
2018-19                1^st      6.26            Eastern Conn.
2017-18                1^st      5.62            Eastern Conn.
2016-17                1^st      5.735          Eastern Conn.
2015-16                3^rd      5.353          Keene State College
2014-15                2^nd     5.4706        Keene State College
2013-14                3^rd      5.4706        Keene State College
2012-13                3^rd      5.7353        Keene State College       
2011-12                2^nd     6.8718        Keene State College
2010-11                3^rd      6.690          Keene State College
2009-10                2^nd     5.812          Keene State College
2008-09                2^nd     5.8960        Keene State College
2007-08                2^nd     6.1565        Keene State College
2006-07                2^nd     5.8783        Keene State College
2005-06                2^nd     5.9459        Keene State College
2004-05                6^th      4.800          Keene State College
2003-04                2^nd     5.944          Keene State College
2002-03                3^rd      5.527          Keene State College
2001-02                2^nd     81 pts.         Keene State College
2000-01                4^th      68 pts.         Keene State College