June 13, 2011
Video With Elise Caron | Video With Tim Murray
Release courtesy of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Edison, N.J. - Iona College and Marist College won the 2010-2011 Academy Bus MAAC Commissioner's Cup, marking the first time in league history that two schools have claimed a share in the conference's highest honor.
The Academy Bus MAAC Commissioner's Cup is awarded annually as a symbol of overall excellence in athletics in the 24 championship athletic events conducted within the MAAC. Each institution is scored in all championships that it fields a varsity team. However, only the scores from the men's and women's basketball participation, plus the other top six men's and other top six women's championships shall be used to determine an institution's total points.
"What a great way to culminate the MAAC's 30th anniversary year of championship competition with a tie for the Academy Bus Commissioner's Cup," MAAC Commissioner Richard J. Ensor noted. "I recall some of the close championship races this year and realize that the league's theme of every moment counts is certainly true in the race for excellence reflected in the awarding of the cup. Congratulations to the student-athletes, coaches and administrators of the Iona and Marist programs for their efforts this season."
This is the first time that Iona has won the overall cup. The Gaels also won the men's trophy for the third time in school history (1995-96 and 1999-2000). The Maroon and Gold won league titles this season in men's cross country, women's cross country, women's water polo and softball.
"This is a great accomplishment for the College, the athletic department and our student-athletes," Iona Director of Athletics Eugene Marshall said. "It is a true testament to the leadership of Br. Liguori and Pat Lyons that Iona earned this tremendous honor for the first time."
Marist earned its 10th overall cup since joining the MAAC in the 1997-98 season, and claimed its seventh women's cup. The Red Foxes took home the conference crown this year in women's swimming and diving, women's basketball, men's tennis and women's tennis.
"I want to congratulate our student-athletes for their outstanding efforts athletically and academically as we have once again accomplished one of our important initiatives within our athletics program." Marist Director of Athletics Tim Murray stated. "Hats off to Iona, who also enjoyed an outstanding year."
Iona and Marist finished the overall race with a total of 113.50 points, eight points ahead of the third place finisher Fairfield University. On the men's side, Iona captured the top spot with 52.50 points, five points more than runner-up Rider University. Marist finished in the top spot in the women's cup race by compiling 69 points, eight points ahead of Fairfield and Iona.
The overall field finished as follows: Iona and Marist (113.50), Fairfield (105.50), Siena College (97), Loyola University Maryland (92), Canisius College (88.50), Rider (79.50), Manhattan College (78.50), Saint Peter's College (72.50) and Niagara University (59.50).
In the men's standings, Rider finished second with 47.50 points, followed by Siena (46.50), Saint Peter's (46), Loyola (45.50), Fairfield and Marist (44.50), Manhattan (36.50), Canisius (33) and Niagara (23).
On the women's side, Fairfield and Iona were second with 61 points, followed Canisius (55.50), Siena (50.50), Loyola (46.50), Manhattan (42), Niagara (36.50), Rider (32) and Saint Peter's (26.50).
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Commissioner's Cup
Year-By-Year Champions
|
Year
|
Overall Champion
|
Men's Champion
|
Women's Champion
|
|
2010-11
|
Iona and Marist
|
Iona
|
Marist
|
|
2009-10
|
Marist
|
Loyola
|
Marist
|
|
2008-09
|
Fairfield
|
Loyola
|
Fairfield
|
|
2007-08
|
Marist
|
Loyola
|
Marist
|
|
2006-07
|
Marist
|
Marist
|
Marist
|
|
2005-06
|
Marist
|
Marist
|
Marist
|
|
2004-05
|
Marist
|
Marist
|
Marist
|
|
2003-04
|
Manhattan
|
Manhattan
|
Loyola
|
|
2002-03
|
Manhattan
|
Marist
|
Manhattan
|
|
2001-02
|
Marist
|
Marist
|
Fairfield
|
|
2000-01
|
Marist
|
Marist
|
Marist
|
|
1999-00
|
Marist
|
Iona
|
Fairfield
|
|
1998-99
|
Marist
|
Marist
|
Fairfield
|
|
1997-98
|
Fairfield
|
Rider
|
Fairfield
|
|
1996-97
|
Loyola
|
Fairfield
|
Loyola
|
|
1995-96
|
Loyola
|
Iona
|
Loyola
|
|
1994-95
|
Fairfield
|
Fairfield
|
Fairfield
|
|
1993-94
|
Loyola
|
Saint Peter's
|
Fairfield
|
|
1992-93
|
Loyola
|
Iona
|
Loyola
|
|
1991-92
|
La Salle
|
La Salle
|
La Salle
|
|
1990-91
|
La Salle
|
La Salle
|
La Salle
|
|
1989-90
|
Fordham
|
La Salle
|
Fordham
|
|
1988-89
|
La Salle
|
La Salle
|
Holy Cross
|
|
1987-88
|
La Salle
|
La Salle
|
Army
|
|
1986-87
|
La Salle
|
Army
|
Holy Cross
|
|
1985-86
|
La Salle
|
La Salle
|
Holy Cross
|
|
1984-85
|
La Salle
|
La Salle
|
Holy Cross
|
|
1983-84
|
La Salle
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
1982-83
|
Fordham
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
1981-82
|
Army
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
