BRIDGEWATER, N.J. - Long Island University Athletics returned to the top of the Northeast Conference all-sports race, claiming the Brenda Weare Commissioner's Cup for the fourth time in program history and the third time in five years. LIU also doubled up by capturing its second NEC Men's Commissioner's Cup.
The NEC's Commissioner's Cup program rewards the all-around performance of an athletic program in NEC sponsored sports. LIU edged out Wagner in one of the tightest finishes in Brenda Weare Cup history. The Sharks compiled 198.67 points, fending off Wagner (194.16) by just 4.51 points, the closest margin since the 2002-03 season.
The Sharks claimed NEC tournament titles in men's soccer and women's lacrosse, also capturing regular season titles in women's lacrosse, baseball, and softball. Highlighting the program's depth, LIU earned top-three conference finishes in baseball, men's basketball, men's and women's lacrosse, men's soccer, softball, and men's and women's volleyball.
LIU previously captured the inaugural Commissioner's Cup in 1986-87 and then the Cup back-to-back in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. The Sharks have finished in the top five of the Cup standings in each of the last 10 seasons, cracking the top three five times in a row.
"LIU Athletics believes that nothing stands in the way of creating a sustainable long-term championship culture," said Director of Athletics
Elliott Charles. "We also strive to position ourselves at the forefront of the conference and we are proud to accomplish such incredible honor by winning the Brenda Weare Commissioner's Cup. In this new landscape of college athletics, this year's finish at the top of the NEC is a testament to the hard work, leadership, innovation and vision of Long Island University. This is only the beginning!"
In the Men's Commissioner's Cup race, LIU separated from the pack, tallying 97.01 points - nearly 10 more than runner-up Central Connecticut State University (87.44). The Sharks secured their first Men's Cup since the 2021-22 season.
LIU's strong all-around year included an NEC championship in men's soccer and tournament runner-up finishes in baseball, men's golf and men's tennis. The Sharks have now logged top-three finishes in the Men's Cup standings in each of the last five seasons.
The NEC Commissioner's Cup was instituted during the 1986-87 season with LIU winning the inaugural award. Cup points are awarded in each NEC sponsored sport. For men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's volleyball, football, women's bowling, softball, women's lacrosse, and baseball, the final regular season standings are used to determine Cup points. Starting with the 2012-13 season, the Conference began awarding three bonus points to the NEC Tournament champion in those sports. In all other sports, points are awarded based on the finish at NEC Championship events. The Cup was not awarded during the 2019-20 academic year that was interrupted by the cancellation of the spring season.
Weare, who passed away in June 2009, made a lasting impact in her three years as Commissioner of the NEC. The Commissioner's Cup was renamed in her honor in May of 2009.
