St. Mary's College of Maryland collected its second straight United East Conference Presidents' Cup when Commissioner Stephanie Dutton presented the award to St. Mary's College President Tuajuanda C. Jordan at the Presidents' Council meeting on May 23.
In addition to winning the Presidents' Cup, the Seahawks also captured the honors for both Top Overall Athletic Program – Men's Teams and Top Overall Athletic Program – Women's Team. The 2023-24 year marks the inaugural presentation of the men's and women's titles as these awards are holdovers from the former Colonial States Athletic Conference, which merged with the United East on July 1, 2023.
"What a monumental achievement for the Seahawk athletics department and St. Mary's College of Maryland to be awarded the United East President's Cup for the second consecutive year. How we got here is not only with the tremendous work of our incredibly dedicated coaching staff, support staff and relentless efforts and selflessness of our student-athletes, but also due to unwavering support throughout the campus community," SMCM Director of Athletics & Recreation Crystal Gibson said.
St. Mary's College completed its third year as a United East member in 2023-24, edging Penn State Harrisburg by 0.75 points for its second Presidents' Cup win in three years. The Seahawks beat out Harrisburg for the men's and women's titles as well by 0.50 and 1.00 points, respectively.
The Presidents' Cup annually recognizes the athletic achievements of its members. The Presidents' Cup is determined by a scoring system which rewards a school for success during both regular season and postseason competition. SMCM finished as the runner-up for the Presidents' Cup in its inaugural year (2021-22) in the league.
The conference sponsors 20 championships with St. Mary's College having the potential to compete in 16 as the Seahawks do not sponsor men's golf, softball, or men's volleyball while field hockey competed in the Atlantic East Conference in 2023-24. For the first time since joining the United East, every SMCM team eligible for United East action advanced to the postseason.
St. Mary's College hoisted United East tournament championship trophies in four different sports – women's cross country, men's soccer, men's lacrosse, and women's lacrosse. Along with their four tournament championship titles, the Seahawks claimed three regular-season crowns in men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, and men's tennis.
Additionally, the men's indoor track & field, women's indoor track & field, and women's outdoor track & field teams placed second at the United East Championships while baseball and men's tennis made their way to the Volt Division final.
SMCM held on to No. 1 in the Presidents' Cup standings for the entire year, remaining in the top spot after the completion of each season.
Gibson added, "Our student-athletes continue to set the standard in the classroom, the competition field and with their work throughout the inner and outward community. This honor is a culmination of all these efforts and support, and we couldn't be more grateful to represent the United East at its highest level."
To view the 2023-2024 Presidents' Cup standings see the original post on the St. Mary's College athletics website.
