FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WINTHROP, Mass. – The Johnson & Wales University men and Emmanuel College women have claimed the 2015-16 Great Northeast Athletic Conference Commissioner’s Cups, as announced by GNAC Commissioner Joe Walsh on Monday.

For the complete standings for both awards, please see below.

The GNAC Commissioner’s Cup annually recognizes the member institution that achieves the highest level of athletic success throughout the academic year. It is based upon a point system and standings are determined by percentages in order to reflect the different number of GNAC sports that members sponsor. Schools receive five points for a GNAC Championship, four points for advancing to a conference title game, three for advancing to a GNAC Semifinal, two for qualifying for a GNAC Tournament, or one for sponsoring a sport.

The JWU men, who participate in eight GNAC sports, received 29 of a possible 40 points for a 72.5% mark. The Wildcats won GNAC Championships in men’s basketball and men’s soccer and was the league runner-up in men’s cross country and men’s tennis. Johnson & Wales has now claimed at least a share of the men’s commissioner’s cup in each of the last nine seasons.

Emmanuel and Lasell College finished tied for second in the men’s standings with 60% apiece.

The Emmanuel women narrowly topped JWU in the women’s standings, accumulating 23 of a possible 30 points for 76.67%, while JWU came in at an even 75% with 30 of a possible 40 points. The Saints captured the GNAC Championship this year in women’s cross country and advanced to the GNAC Final in women's soccer, women’s basketball, women’s lacrosse and softball.

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine finished third in the women’s standings with 62.5%, while fourth-place Simmons College was the other GNAC institution to reach the 60% threshold in the women’s cup standings.

Both JWU and Emmanuel will be honored with their 2015-16 Commissioner’s Cups at the GNAC Professional Development Seminar (PDS) on Wednesday, August 10 at Anna Maria College.

Founded in 1995, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 12 member institutions and over 3,000 student-athletes across the New England region. Each year, the GNAC sponsors and administers 17 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunities and community involvement. 

2015-16 Men's Commissioner's Cup Standings
1. Johnson & Wales: 29/40 = 72.5%
T2. Emmanuel: 18/30 = 60%
T2. Lasell: 18/30 = 60%
4. Norwich: 16/30 = 53.33%
5. Albertus Magnus: 15/30 = 50%
6. Suffolk: 14/30 = 46.67%
7.Saint Joseph's Maine: 13/30 = 43.33%
T8. Mount Ida: 10/25 = 40%
T8. Rivier: 10/25 = 40%
10. Anna Maria: 6/25 = 24%

2015-16 Women's Commissioner's Cup Standings
1. Emmanuel: 23/30 = 76.67%
2. Johnson & Wales: 30/40 = 75%
3. Saint Joseph's Maine: 25/40 = 62.5%
4. Simmons: 27/45 = 60%
5. Lasell: 19/35 = 54.29%
6. Suffolk: 13/30 = 43.33%
7. St. Joseph (Conn.): 16/40 = 40%
T8. Norwich: 13/35 = 37.14%
T8. Rivier: 13/35 = 37.14%
10. Mount Ida: 14/40 = 35%
11. Albertus Magnus: 10/30 = 33.33%
12. Anna Maria: 11/35 = 31.43% 

– #TheGNAC –