New York, NY – The City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) has announced that Hunter College is the winner of the 2019-20 Commissioner's Cup. This is the second consecutive season the Purple and Gold took home top honors and is also the program's 13 overall Cup.
 
The Hawks accumulated 105 total points through the fall and winter seasons before the remainder of the year was canceled due to COVID-19. Baruch took home second place with 651 points followed by John Jay in third with 51 points.
 
"We are extremely proud of our Hawks working so hard to reach this collective department accomplishment throughout this extremely complicated academic year. Our collective motto was -- #SoarAbove! The student-athletes, coaches and staff did this through resiliency, communication, focus, and a great work ethic culture," Director of Athletics Terry Wansart said.  
 
The Purple and Gold propelled themselves to the top of the standings early on by sweeping all the top points in both women's tennis and women's volleyball, winning CUNYAC's regular season and tournament championships to score 40 points.

At the cross-country championships, the women's cross-country squad won their fifth consecutive title while the men took second for an additional 15 points. Hunter closed out the fall with runner-up finishes in the regular season and tournament in the sport of men's soccer for another 10 points.

In the Winter, the Hawks collected 20 points in the sport of women's swimming, winning the CUNYAC regular season crown for a fifth year in a row and the conference championship for the first time since 2017. In addition, Hunter earned 10 points in women's basketball with second-place finishes in the regular season and postseason while picking up 10 more points with runner-up efforts in men's and women's indoor track and field.

"Looking back, I am reminded of a quote from Lionel Messi - "There are more important things in life than winning or losing a game." - This rang true when we had to suspend the spring seasons; and it was a celebration like no other, when we could say our 'Hawks' were safe and sound and completing their academic course work successfully online. "This, despite continued challenges and heartache with COVID-19 and the travesty of this past week" Wansart said, "I am proud of our Hawks on the court, in the classroom and in life, while being awarded the CUNYAC Commissioner's Cup in such a distinct manner and during this unprecedented time in our lives." 
 
Overall, Hunter's 13 Commissioner's Cups are the highest in the CUNYAC with Baruch trailing with eight and the College of Staten Island with two.
 
2019-20 CUNYAC Commissioner's Cup – Final Standings
1. Hunter – 105 points
2. Baruch – 61 points
3. John Jay – 51 points
4. Brooklyn – 48 points
5. Lehman – 39 points
6. CCNY – 38 points
7. Medgar Evers – 0 points
8. York – 0 points
 
~Portions of this release courtesy of CUNYAC Communications