Broncos Claim Commissioner's Cup with Top Performing Athletic Programs
Cal Poly Pomona Athletics won the 2024–25 Robert J. Hiegert Commissioner's Cup, a prestigious award is presented annually to the top-performing athletic department in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) based on cumulative success across all sports in a given academic year.
This marks only the second time the Broncos have claimed the award. Their previous win came in the 2014–15 academic year.
The Broncos finished in the top three of the Commissioner’s Cup standings every year since they last won the award. This year, they secured that elusive first place by a slim margin of 4.45 points over Chico State.
Nine Cal Poly Pomona teams contributed to the overall points total by reaching the CCAA postseason, helping the Broncos post a combined record of 75-42-7 in conference competition — a 63.3% winning percentage across win-loss-tie sports.
Several teams delivered standout performances that were instrumental in earning the Commissioner's Cup. Women's Soccer won the CCAA regular season title and went on to win the program’s first NCAA Division II national championship.
The Men's Soccer, and Volleyball programs each captured CCAA regular season titles, while Women's Soccer and Women's Track & Field went on to win their respective CCAA postseason tournament championships. Additionally, Volleyball, Men's Cross Country, Women's Basketball, and Men's Track & Field all earned second-place finishes in the postseason tournaments.
The Broncos also led the CCAA in individual accolades, with 36 student-athletes named CCAA Athletes of the Week — more than any other school. A remarkable 73 Broncos earned All-CCAA honors throughout the year, reflecting the high level of talent and dedication across the programs.
Multiple athletes and coaches received major conference awards, showcasing the department's all-around excellence.
In Women's Soccer, Vanessa Cruz was a standout, earning CCAA Player of the Year, Forward of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year honors, while her coach, Jay Mason, was named the conference's Coach of the Year. Soccer player Marisa Salazar also earned the prestigious Elite 13 Award, recognizing academic and athletic achievement.
Matt O'Sullivan took home CCAA Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year honors for the Broncos, and player Mads Frederiksen earned the Elite 13 Award.
The volleyball program saw Samantha Campion named CCAA Player of the Year and Charlotte Koerber recognized as Newcomer of the Year, with Traci Dahl earning Coach of the Year honors.
In Men's Basketball, Kevin Simeth was honored with the Elite 13 Award, while Women's Basketball head coach Danelle Bishop made history by becoming the winningest coach in CCAA games in the conference's history.
In Women's Track & Field, Neshara Smith was recognized as both Newcomer of the Meet and the High Point Award winner, and Chris Bradford CCAA Coach of the Year honors.
This unforgettable academic year marks a significant achievement for Cal Poly Pomona and solidifies the university's place at the top of the CCAA. With standout performances across numerous sports and a strong commitment to academic and athletic excellence, the Broncos have proven they are a force to be reckoned with.
Hiegert Cup Final Standings:
- Cal Poly Pomona - 96.53
- Chico State - 92.08
- Cal State LA - 74.52
- Cal State East Bay - 70.28
- Stanislaus State - 67.37
- Cal State San Bernardino - 66.95
- Cal State Dominguez Hills - 66.94
- Cal State San Marcos - 66.51
- Sonoma State - 61.55
- Cal State Monterey Bay - 55
- Cal Poly Humboldt - 52.26
- San Francisco State - 50.92
About the Robert J. Hiegert Commissioner's Cup:
The Robert J. Hiegert Commissioner's Cup, named to honor former CCAA Commissioner Bob Hiegert, is awarded based on an institution's best two conference finishes from each fall, winter, and spring season, along with the next two highest finishes across all seasons. The points assigned for each sport depend on how many institutions participate in that sport.