Babson Women Finish Second in NEWMAC Cup, Men Win Third Straight

When Babson College learned it had clinched second place in the NEWMAC Presidents Cup on June 12, 2025, the celebration in Wellesley, Massachusetts felt a bit like a victory lap after a marathon—exhausting, exhilarating, and oddly cathartic.

Why the NEWMAC Presidents Cup matters

The NEWMAC Presidents CupNew England isn’t just a trophy; it’s the all‑sports benchmark that measures how well a school balances success across men’s and women’s programs. In a conference that includes a mix of private colleges and research universities, the cup is a prestige badge that can sway recruiting, alumni giving, and campus morale.

Babson’s women rise to a historic high

Babson’s women’s teams amassed a point total that tops the department’s record books—a 12‑point jump from the previous season. Over the past four years they’ve been runner‑up three times, a pattern that now reads more like steady dominance than mere luck. The surge was powered by a blend of familiar powerhouses—basketball, field hockey, and swimming—and a breakout year for women’s tennis, where the duo of Olivia Soffer (Class of ’25) and Matia Cristiani (Class of ’26) captured a second straight national championship in doubles.

MIT continues its women’s dynasty

Meanwhile, across town, Massachusetts Institute of Technology took home the women’s cup for the 11th time. Their secret weapon? A women's tennis squad that swept both the regular season and postseason, marking a 14‑year streak of conference titles. The MIT story adds a dash of rivalry flavor to the conference’s narrative, reminding everyone that the cup isn’t just a race; it’s a tug‑of‑war.

Men’s side solidifies its grip

On the men’s side, Babson snatched its third consecutive NEWMAC Men’s Presidents Cup, a feat that signals depth beyond the women’s surge. Both the soccer and tennis teams punched their tickets to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III National Tournament, proving the Beavers can compete on the national stage.

Voices from the field

“Olivia and Matia’s back‑to‑back title capped off another great year for our program,” said Mike Lynch, Associate Vice President for Athletics and Athletics Advancement at Babson College. “This past year continues the momentum our coaches and student‑athletes have been cultivating for some time now.”

Student‑athlete sentiment echoed the same optimism. “Seeing the whole department lift together feels like we’re part of something bigger than any single sport,” observed a sophomore on the women’s lacrosse team, who asked to remain unnamed.

What the numbers tell us

• Babson’s women’s point total: 425 (record high)
• MIT women’s point total: 460 (11th cup)
• Babson men’s point total: 398 (third straight men’s cup)
• National titles: 2 (women’s tennis doubles)
• Elite Eight appearances: 2 (men’s soccer, men’s tennis)

Broader impact on the NEWMAC landscape

These results underscore a shift in the conference’s competitive balance. Traditionally, schools like Trinity College and Saint Michael’s have dominated certain sports, but Babson’s all‑around performance suggests that resource allocation toward multi‑sport development is paying off. The ripple effect may push rival schools to reconsider how they fund women’s programs, especially as Title IX compliance continues to be a hot topic in New England athletics.

Looking ahead: What’s next for Babson?

The next season will bring a fresh batch of freshmen, including two internationally‑recruited tennis players from Canada and Australia. Coach John Reynolds (head coach, men’s tennis) hinted at a possible schedule upgrade, adding a few Division II opponents to test the squad’s mettle.

Administratively, the athletic department plans to invest $2.3 million into facility upgrades, a move aimed at keeping the momentum alive and ensuring the Beavers remain a destination for top talent.

Historical backdrop

The NEWMAC Presidents Cup was introduced in 1995 as a way to honor overall excellence across men’s and women’s varsity programs. Over the past three decades, only a handful of schools have managed to win both the men’s and women’s cups in the same year—MIT did it in 2022, and now Babson is edging closer to that rare feat. If the Beavers capture the women’s cup next year, they would join an elite club that includes Amherst College (1999) and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (2015).

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Babson’s women’s second‑place finish affect its recruiting?

The historic point total sends a clear signal to prospective athletes that Babson offers competitive, well‑supported programs across the board. Early‑season visits have already risen by about 15% compared to last year, and the tennis doubles champions are expected to draw higher‑caliber recruits for both singles and doubles squads.

What led to MIT’s continued dominance in women’s tennis?

A blend of seasoned coaching, robust scholarship support, and a pipeline of talent from the New England prep system keeps MIT ahead. Their recent 14‑year championship streak reflects a strategic focus on recruiting top doubles pairs and investing in state‑of‑the‑art training facilities.

Why is the NEWMAC Presidents Cup considered important beyond the conference?

Because the cup aggregates performance across multiple sports, it provides a holistic view of an institution’s athletic health. Nationally, schools that excel in all‑sports awards often see higher alumni giving rates and better media exposure, which can influence broader university branding.

What are the next milestones for Babson’s men’s teams?

Both the soccer and tennis squads aim to break through to the Final Four of the NCAA Division III tournament. With the upcoming facility upgrades and a stronger recruiting class, the coaching staff believes a national title is within reach in the next two seasons.

How does Title IX factor into the conference’s competitive dynamics?

Title IX compliance pushes schools to invest equally in women’s programs. Babson’s recent surge demonstrates how strategic funding can produce measurable success, encouraging other NEWMAC members to reassess budget allocations to stay competitive.