General

NE10 Renames All-Sport Trophies

Winners to be Announced at Banquet on Tuesday, June 3.

NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. - The Northeast-10 Conference has renamed its All-Sport trophies in an effort to honor the contributions of the league's most influential figures - dating back to the conference's founding in 1980. 

Since 1985, the NE10 has recognized a Presidents Cup champion to signify overall athletic excellence from one of the league's institutional members. Beginning in 2024, the conference expanded this recognition to include a Men's Sports Cup and Women's Sports Cup to honor excellence in men's and women's sports, respectively. 

Beginning this year, the NE10 has renamed the Men's Sports Cup to the Founders Cup, which recognizes the extraordinary vision of the seven Athletic Directors who led their institutions into a newly-formed Division II conference known as the Northeast-7 in 1980. 

Milt Piepul of American International, Andy Laska of Assumption, Al Shields of Bentley, Leon Drury of Bryant, Gordie McCullough of Hartford, Ed Steitz of Springfield and Tom Folliard of Stonehill became known as the “founding fathers” of this conference, which was later renamed the Northeast-10. The original institutions were selected based on geographic location, sponsored sports, compatibility of athletic programs and educational philosophies. For over 40 years, the Northeast-10 has remained a stronghold of academic and athletic excellence in Division II.

The NE10 has renamed the Women's Sports Cup to the Pioneers Cup, which recognizes the significant impact and contributions of the many female administrators who helped the NE10 evolve throughout the years. They were pioneers in the field of college athletics and advocated for women's sports. 

From its humble beginnings, the Conference was led by strong and resilient women in administrative roles who charted a path forward for the league in an ever-changing landscape. These women persevered at a time when college athletics was male-dominated. It is due to their accomplishments that the NE10 is a premiere Division II conference to this day.

The NE10 will recognize its Presidents Cup, Founders Cup and Pioneers Cup champions at its annual banquet on Tuesday, June 3rd, at Fratello's Events in the Millyard in Manchester, N.H. 

For a full list of Presidents Cup champions throughout the years, please click here. 

ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 11 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.

Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.

Fans can subscribe via this link to follow NE10 NOW on FloSports this season.  The partnership between the NE10 and FloSports works to provide funds back to the athletic departments of the Northeast-10 Conference in support of student-athletes while promoting the league on a national platform.