LOUISBURG, N.C. - Just in time for the 2026-27 college sports season, the New South Athletic Conference introduces the Commissioner's Cup to recognize the league's top programs.

The Commissioner's Cup award will utilize a points system with a sliding scale to highlight schools which represent excellence across a variety of sports. Points will accrue for each team based on regular season standings as well as for conference post-season play in men's and women's basketball, football, men's soccer, and baseball. For cross country, track & field, and golf, points will be based on team finish in the conference meet."This is an exciting step for the NSAC to recognize excellence across the board," says commissioner Mike Davis. "Every sport will carry equal weight, so every school has a chance to shine. It will also serve as an incentive to schools to consider growing their sports offerings, providing even more opportunities for student-athletes to compete, to grow, and to be recognized for their accomplishments."

Fans can follow the points race here. The standings will be updated following the completion of each conference sports season with the final standings to be announced following the conclusion of the NSAC baseball tournament in May of 2027.

Sports with Conference Standings:
Category Weight
Regular Season - 25%
Conference Championship/Postseason - 75%

Each sport awards a maximum of 100 Commissioner's Cup points.
25 points available from regular season standings
75 points available from conference championship/postseason finish

Regular Season (25 Points Maximum)
For sports with conference standings:
Finish Points
1st - 25
2nd - 22
3rd - 20
4th - 18
5th - 16
6th - 14
7th - 12
8th - 10
9th - 8
10th - 6
11th - 4

If fewer teams participate, points stop at the last-place team.

Conference Championship (75 Points Maximum)
Finish Points
Champion - 75
Runner-Up - 65
Semifinalists - 55
Quarterfinalists - 45
Remaining Participants - 35
Did Not Qualify/Participate - 20

This rewards winning championships while still recognizing teams that qualify for postseason play
Sports Without a Regular Season Champion:

Examples:
Golf, Track & Field, Cross Country

All 100 potential points are based on championship finish

Champion - 100 points
Runner-up - 90
3rd - 80
4th - 70