For the second consecutive year and the sixth time in program history, Fairfield University Athletics has won the Richard J. Ensor, Esq. MAAC Commissioner's Cup. The Stags also claimed the Commissioner's Cup for Women's Sports for the fourth straight academic year, as Fairfield Athletics won seven Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships and eight conference titles in total during the 2024-25 season.
The Richard J. Ensor, Esq. MAAC Commissioner's Cup is awarded annually as a symbol of overall excellence in athletics in the 23 championships conducted within the MAAC. Only the scores from men's and women's basketball, plus the top six men's and top six women's scores are used to determine an institution's total points.
"We are honored and thrilled to receive the 2024-25 Ensor Commissioner's Cup. This is a true TEAM Award," said Fairfield Vice President for Athletics Paul Schlickmann. "It is indicative of our University's and Athletics Department's shared vision and commitment to comprehensive competitive excellence. We are grateful to all our campus partners who provide relentless support to our programs throughout the year."
After winning back-to-back Commissioner's Cups for the first time, Fairfield has now won a total of six—trailing only Marist (12) among current conference members. The Stags' 13th Women's Commissioner's Cup extends their own conference record.
"On behalf of all of us at Fairfield, we are delighted to once again bring home the MAAC Commissioner's Cup. To win this award for the second consecutive year is a testament to our commitment to achievement and pre-eminence in all our endeavors," said President Mark R. Nemec, PhD. "As our University continues its rise in national prominence, our student-athletes, in partnership with our coaches and athletic staff, have consistently carried forward as models of modern excellence, not only as accomplished athletes, but as exemplary students, and as men and women for others in our community."
This year's Commissioner's Cup victory was carried by an impressive collection of MAAC Championships as the Stags claimed seven MAAC Tournament titles. Fairfield raised the championship trophy in women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball, women's lacrosse, men's golf, women's rowing, and baseball, and won the MAAC Regular Season Championship in women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball, and women's lacrosse.
In addition to team accolades, two Fairfield student-athletes won individual MAAC Championships as Hannah Snayd '27 became the first Stag to break the tape at the MAAC Cross Country Championship, and Tadgh Burke '28 claimed the McLeod Trophy as the medalist at the MAAC Golf Championship.
The Stags also garnered significant Commissioner's Cup points from women's swimming and diving – which finished second at the conference meet – as well as a run to the MAAC Championship Final by women's tennis. Softball and women's tennis also finished second in their respective regular season standings.
The overall Commissioner's Cup standings saw the Stags earn 197 points, followed by second-place Quinnipiac (185 points) and third-place Rider (171.50).
On the women's ledger, Fairfield registered 132.50 points to run away from Quinnipiac (109) and Siena (84.50) and keep the Women's Commissioner's Cup on North Benson Road for the fourth consecutive year.
The Stags placed eighth on the Men's Commissioner's Cup table with 64.50 points. Rider earned that trophy for the second straight year with 95.50 points.
"I applaud all our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and support staff for their collective effort in achieving this annual goal while recording the most successful year in Stags Athletics history," said Schlickmann. "Each of our 20 varsity programs and all 500 student-athletes—even those who don't compete in the MAAC—foster a dynamic culture in which we support each other, challenge each other, and hold each other accountable in ways that allow us to achieve and celebrate success."
Including Fairfield's Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship in field hockey, the Stags set a new University record with eight conference titles in 2024-25. The 1997-98 Stags—also MAAC Commissioner's Cup Champions—won a total of seven conference crowns.
In addition to the NEC Field Hockey Championship, the Stags' saw success outside the MAAC from men's lacrosse, which finished second in the CAA regular season and earned a national ranking for 10 consecutive weeks. The Fairfield men's rowing team won its first-ever gold medal at the Knecht Cup this spring and picked up a silver medal at the Dad Vail Regatta.
Fairfield Athletics finished the 2024-25 academic year with a record of 209-143-6 (.592) in head-to-head contests. This mark includes a 124-43-4 (.737) tally in conference play and a 103-39-1 (.724) record in all home games.
