EDISON, NJ - The Iona University Athletics Department earned the 2022-23 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Men's Commissioner's Cup following the completion of the league's 10 men's championships this season. The Gaels' women's programs finished fourth overall following 13 women's championships. Combined, the Maroon & Gold athletics program finished third in the overall cup standings. Earlier this month, the cup was named the Richard J. Ensor Esq. Commissioner's Cup, the MAAC's retiring commissioner.
 
"We are extremely proud of our men's programs combining to win the men's MAAC Commissioner's Cup this year. It is a true testament to all of the work, both on and off their respective competitive fields, that all of our student-athletes, coaches and support staff put in all year long," said Director of Athletics Matthew Glovaski. "All of us in the Iona community and in Gael Nation are incredibly happy to share in the success that the Maroon & Gold have enjoyed during the 2022-23 season and look forward to seeing what our Gaels can continue to accomplish in the future!"
 
For the second time in four years, Iona finished on top of the men's standings. It is the sixth MAAC men's commissioner's cup victory in school history. The Gaels were also men's champions in 2010-11, 1999-2000, 1995-96 and 1992-93. The Maroon & Gold's third place overall finish improves on back-to-back sixth place efforts the last two years. It matches the school's second best finish since in the last decade.
 
With the help of MAAC men's championships in basketball and cross country, Iona narrowly edged Rider by less than a point, 66.5 - 65.75 in one of the most closely contested efforts in league history. The cup men's win was strengthened by soccer's second place finish in the regular season and championship game appearance in the tournament and overall championship efforts by golf and indoor and outdoor track.
 
On the women's side, the Gaels finished behind Quinnipiac and Fairfield who shared the cup. Iona finished fourth by 1.25 points behind Siena. Basketball was the flagship for Iona's women's programs, earning the maximum 19 points with regular season and tournament championships. Softball earned 10 points following a regular season that resulted in a tournament appearance and a third place finish. Cross country and volleyball also earned notable efforts with their performance last fall.
 
Overall, Iona was third behind Quinnipiac and Fairfield, who were separated by a quarter of a point.
 
"I would like to congratulate the student-athletes, coaches and administrators at Quinnipiac, Fairfield and Iona for winning the 2022-23 Richard J. Ensor, Esq. Commissioner's Cup," said MAAC Commissioner Travis Tellitocci. "This award recognizes overall athletics excellence in the conference and is a testament to the great success that was achieved over the past season by each school."
 
The Richard J. Ensor Esq. 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 & women's Basketball, plus the top six men's and top six women's scores are usually used to determine an institution's total points.