Note: Fairfield University Athletics is celebrating the accomplishments of 2012 by highlighting the top 12 stories of the calendar year. Each morning through December 31, a new highlight will be posted on this web site with the top story being listed on New Year's Eve. We hope you enjoy looking back on another exciting year of Stags sports. For the complete list of top stories, click here.

Number two on the Fairfield Athletics 12 for '12 countdown is a sign of excellence across the entire department. The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) annually presents the Commissioner's Cup as a symbol of overall excellence in the 24 championships conducted within the conference.  For the fourth time, and the second time in four years, Fairfield University earned the prestigious award.

“The Commissioner's Cup is a benchmark for excellence,” Stags Director of Athletics Gene Doris said. “It is only through the support of our administration as well as the efforts and dedication of our student-athletes and coaching staffs that we are in position to receive this tremendous honor.”

Fairfield earned the overall crown on the strength of three MAAC Championships – men's soccer, men's tennis and women's tennis.  As a program Fairfield owned a .609 winning percentage during the academic year, with 13 teams posting winning records and every team advancing to its respective MAAC championship tournament.

Fairfield scored 135.50 points, 9.5 ahead of runner-up Marist, to capture the overall Cup.  The Stags also secured the Men's Cup, with 62.50 points and finished second in the women's Cup race with 73 points, just two shy of the overall winner.

Regular season success also plays a role in Commissioner Cup success, as softball, women's lacrosse and women's tennis won regular season crowns in the Spring of 2012. Fairfield is off to a strong start this fall with volleyball and women's soccer both captured MAAC regular season titles.

The Stags Commissioner Cup victory was profiled in December 2012 Stags Country