Bridgewater, NJ -- The Sharks circled back to the top of the NEC Commissioner's Cup standings once again.
LIU ran it back as Brenda Weare Commissioner's Cup champion and added to its trophy haul by repeating as NEC Men's Cup champion.
FDU stepped into the spotlight as well, capturing its first Joan Martin Women's Commissioner's Cup in a photo finish.
The NEC's Commissioner's Cup program rewards the all-around performance of an athletic program in NEC sponsored sports. The point formula was modified for 2025-26, awarding five bonus points to the NEC regular season champions in sports with round-robin formats and eight bonus points to NEC Tournament champions in all sports. The scoring also shifted to a bottom-up scoring model, in which the last-place team in each sport earns one point, the second-to-last earns two points, and so on.
The Sharks captured their fifth Brenda Weare Commissioner's Cup, adding to a recent run of success that now includes four Cup titles in six years. The NEC Men's Commissioner's Cup was the third for the program, all coming in the last five years.
LIU outlasted both FDU and Wagner in a Commissioner's Cup battle that came down to the final stretch of the season, with the Sharks clinching the Brenda Weare Cup and Men's Cup by securing the NEC baseball regular season crown.
The Sharks racked up 197 points, beating out the Knights (174) and the Seahawks (170).
FDU made a massive jump in the standings, vaulting from sixth place a year ago to a runner-up finish, the program's best showing since capturing the Cup in 1993-94. Wagner followed up its 2024-25 runner-up finish with another strong campaign, placing third overall.
CCSU took fourth with 158 points, matching its placement from last season. Stonehill followed close behind (133), earning its second consecutive fifth place showing.
Saint Francis (118) finished in sixth, followed in order by Le Moyne (102.5), Mercyhurst (83.5), NEC newcomer New Haven (68.5) and Chicago State (50.5) to complete the standings.
LIU claimed NEC Tournament championships in baseball, men's basketball and women's volleyball, adding regular season titles in those three sports as well as softball.
Highlighting the program's depth, LIU earned top-three NEC finishes in baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's cross country, men's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's soccer, softball and women's volleyball.
LIU captured the inaugural Commissioner's Cup in 1986-87, then added consecutive titles in 2020-21 and 2021-22 prior to their current back-to-back run. The Sharks have finished in the top five of the Cup standings in each of the last 11 seasons, cracking the top three six times in a row.
"Our goal for 2025-26 was to pursue the highest level of competitiveness across all programs," said Elliott Charles, LIU's Director of Athletics. "We raised the bar across the board in 2024-25 and entered 2025-26 expecting nothing less.
Winning the 2025-26 Brenda Weare Commissioner's Cup is an incredible honor and a hallmark of a back-to-back championship era for Long Island University. This recognition is the result of a collective effort by our student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, fans, and the university community as we push into the next era that will define LIU Athletics. We are blessed to continue to have the opportunity to lead the NEC and we will continue to do so with grit, unwavering effort, and humility.
Thank you to Commissioner Noreen Morris and the NEC staff, President Dr. Kimberly Cline, our fellow NEC member institutions and SharkNation for making this such a special year! #FinsUp"
LIU repeated as NEC Men's Cup champion with 102.5 points, while FDU (79), Wagner (77.5) and CCSU (73) finished bunched together in a tight battle for second.
LIU's strong all-around year included the program's seventh NEC men's basketball and fourth baseball title, along with tournament runner-up finishes in men's golf and men's lacrosse. The Sharks have now logged top-three finishes in the Men's Cup standings in each of the last six seasons.
Building on last year's fourth place finish - the highest for FDU since a runner-up finish in 1992-93 - the Knights clawed their way past LIU to win the Joan Martin Women's Commissioner's Cup by just a half of a point in the closest finish in league history. FDU racked up 95 points compared to 94.5 for LIU. Wagner was also in contention to the end, finishing third with 92.5 points.
FDU's Cup victory was powered by the Knights' second straight NEC women's basketball title. FDU added regular season championships in women's soccer and women's basketball, while also posting runner-up finishes at the NEC Championships in women's golf and women's tennis.
"We are thrilled to win FDU's first-ever Joan Martin Women's Commissioner's Cup!" said FDU Senior Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Brad Hurlbut. "We couldn't be prouder for our young women for their success across all of our programs this year. This honor is a testament to these tremendous student-athletes, our talented coaches and supportive staffs. Winning this Cup a month after Joan's passing makes this honor even more meaningful to all of us at FDU."
Weare, who passed away in June, 2009, made a lasting impact in her three years as Commissioner of the NEC. In that time, she introduced a number of new programs aimed at upgrading the caliber of the league's championship sports and enhancing the opportunities and experiences for the more than 4,000 student-athletes that compete in the conference. In addition to securing Bryant as an NEC full-time member, Weare was instrumental in the NEC gaining automatic access to the NCAA Division I Football Championship beginning in 2010, spearheading the conference's Strategic Plan and implementing a new leaguewide sportsmanship policy. The Commissioner's Cup was renamed in her honor in May, 2009.
The late Joan Martin played an integral part in Monmouth athletics for 33 years, serving as an Associate Athletics Director, Assistant Athletics Director, Senior Woman Administrator and Compliance Director, as well as a coach during her time in West Long Branch. Martin joined the Monmouth staff in as a coach in 1969 and continued until 1982, when she joined the athletic administration. Martin was the women's basketball coach for 13 years, and mentored the softball (11 years) and field hockey (eight years) programs as well. Along with the NEC Women's Commissioner Cup bearing her name, she was inducted into the Monmouth University Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
The Cup was not awarded during the 2019-20 academic year that was interrupted by the cancellation of the spring season.
2025-26 Brenda Weare Commissioner's Cup Standings
| Sport |
CCSU |
CSU |
FDU |
LEM |
LIU |
MU |
NHVN |
SFU |
STO |
WAG |
| M. Cross Country |
18 |
1 |
5 |
7 |
8 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
9 |
6 |
| W. Cross Country |
18 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
3 |
8 |
7 |
9 |
| Field Hockey |
|
|
|
|
3.5 |
2 |
1 |
9 |
6 |
8 |
| Women's Soccer |
9 |
4.5 |
17 |
3 |
7 |
4.5 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
19 |
| Men's Soccer |
1.5 |
1.5 |
23 |
8 |
7 |
3.5 |
5.5 |
9 |
5.5 |
|
| Women's Volleyball |
5 |
1 |
7 |
2 |
22 |
6 |
3 |
8 |
4 |
|
| Football |
13 |
|
|
|
5 |
5 |
|
1 |
3 |
5 |
| M. Indoor Track |
18 |
4 |
7 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
6 |
3 |
9 |
8 |
| W. Indoor Track |
18 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
6 |
1 |
3 |
7 |
9 |
8 |
| Women's Swimming |
6 |
|
|
1 |
3 |
|
|
4 |
2 |
5 |
| Men's Swimming |
|
|
|
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
3 |
| Men's Basketball |
9 |
1.5 |
4 |
7.5 |
23 |
7.5 |
6 |
1.5 |
4 |
4 |
| Women's Basketball |
1 |
4.5 |
23 |
6.5 |
8.5 |
8.5 |
3 |
2 |
4.5 |
6.5 |
| Women's Bowling |
|
|
3 |
|
2 |
4 |
|
|
|
1 |
| Women's Golf |
|
9.5 |
12 |
2 |
8 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
7 |
3 |
| Men's Tennis |
|
1 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
|
3.5 |
3.5 |
17 |
| Women's Tennis |
|
3.5 |
8 |
6.5 |
3.5 |
1 |
|
17 |
3.5 |
6.5 |
| Men's Volleyball |
|
|
5.5 |
|
3 |
|
|
19 |
|
|
| Men's Golf |
|
4 |
10 |
9 |
11 |
6 |
7.5 |
1 |
|
3 |
| Women's Lacrosse |
2 |
|
6.5 |
12 |
8 |
4 |
5 |
|
20 |
6.5 |
| Men's Lacrosse |
|
|
|
3.5 |
7 |
1 |
|
|
|
3.5 |
| M. Outdoor Track |
9 |
3 |
7 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
6 |
5 |
8 |
18 |
| W. Outdoor Track |
18 |
6.5 |
6.5 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
9 |
8 |
5 |
| Softball |
8 |
|
5 |
6 |
14 |
2.5 |
2.5 |
1 |
4 |
15 |
| Baseball |
4.5 |
|
11 |
9 |
25 |
4.5 |
6 |
|
8 |
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total |
158 |
50.5 |
174 |
102.5 |
197 |
83.5 |
68.5 |
118 |
133 |
170 |
| Men |
73 |
16 |
79 |
55.5 |
102.5 |
38 |
40 |
45 |
50 |
77.5 |
| Women |
85 |
34.5 |
95 |
47 |
94.5 |
45.5 |
28.5 |
73 |
83 |
92.5 |
|
CCSU |
CSU |
FDU |
LEM |
LIU |
MU |
NHVN |
SFU |
STO |
WAG |
2025-26 Brenda Weare Commissioner's Cup
Overall Standings
1. LIU 197
2. FDU 174
3. Wagner 170
4. CCSU 158
5. Stonehill 133
6. Saint Francis 118
7. Le Moyne 102.5
8. Mercyhurst 83.5
9. New Haven 68.5
10. Chicago State 50.5
2025-26 NEC Commissioner's Cup
Men's Standings
1. LIU 102.5
2. FDU 79
3. Wagner 77.5
4. CCSU 73
5. Le Moyne 55.5
6. Stonehill 50
7. Saint Francis 45
8. New Haven 40
9. Mercyhurst 38
10. Chicago State 16
2025-26 Joan Martin Commissioner's Cup
Women's Standings
1. FDU 95
2. LIU 94.5
3. Wagner 92.5
4. CCSU 85
5. Stonehill 83
6. Saint Francis 73
7. Le Moyne 47
8. Mercyhurst 45.5
9. Chicago State 34.5
10. New Haven 28.5
Brenda Weare Commissioner's Cup Champions
2025-26 LIU
2024-25 LIU
2023-24 Sacred Heart
2022-23 Sacred Heart
2021-22 LIU
2020-21 LIU
2018-19 Sacred Heart
2017-18 Saint Francis U
2016-17 Sacred Heart
2015-16 Sacred Heart
2014-15 Bryant
2013-14 Bryant
2012-13 Monmouth
2011-12 Sacred Heart
2010-11 Sacred Heart
2009-10 Sacred Heart
2008-09 Sacred Heart
2007-08 Sacred Heart
2006-07 Monmouth
2005-06 Monmouth
2004-05 Monmouth
2003-04 Monmouth
2002-03 UMBC
2001-02 UMBC
2000-01 UMBC
1999-00 UMBC
1998-99 UMBC
1997-98 Monmouth
1996-97 Mount St. Mary's
1995-96 Mount St. Mary's
1994-95 Mount St. Mary's
1993-94 FDU
1992-93 FDU
1991-92 FDU
1990-91 Monmouth
1989-90 FDU
1988-89 FDU
1987-88 FDU
1986-87 LIU
About the Brenda Weare Commissioner's Cup
The NEC Commissioner's Cup was instituted during the 1986-87 season with LIU winning the inaugural award. Sacred Heart leads all current NEC schools with nine Cups to its credit. 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.
About the NEC
Now in its 45th season, the NEC is an NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association consisting of ten institutions of higher learning located throughout six states. Media coverage of the NEC extends to a number of the largest markets in the United States including New York (#1), Chicago (#3), Boston (#9). Hartford/New Haven (#32) and Syracuse (#88). Founded in 1981 as the basketball-only ECAC Metro Conference, the NEC has grown to sponsor 25 championship sports for men and women and now enjoys automatic access to 16 different NCAA Championships. NEC full member institutions include Central Connecticut, Chicago State, FDU, Le Moyne, LIU, Mercyhurst, New Haven, Saint Francis U, Stonehill and Wagner. For more information on the NEC, visit the league's official website (www.necsports.com) and digital network (www.necfrontrow.com), or follow the league on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, all @NECsports.
