Cal State San Marcos Athletics achieved a notable third place in the 2025-26 CCAA Robert J. Hiegert Commissioner's Cup standings. The recognition was announced during the CCAA's annual spring Executive Council meetings on June 3. The award honors the member institution with the highest ranking across eight of the CCAA's 13 championship sports. CSUSM Director of Athletics Morod Shah expressed pride in the achievement, highlighting the hard work of student-athletes, coaches, and staff. The Cougars’ consistent performance continues to demonstrate their commitment to excellence in athletics.

By the Numbers
  • CSUSM finished with 85.72 points, 1.99 points behind second-place Chico State and 8.21 points behind first-place Cal Poly Pomona.
  • This marked a jump from eighth place (66.51 points) last year to third this year, the largest improvement among institutions.
State of Play
  • CSUSM has finished in the top three of the standings for four of the last five years.
  • This season, the Cougars secured championships in softball and women's golf.
What's Next

Looking ahead, CSUSM aims to build on this success by further enhancing their athletic programs and striving for even higher standings in future competitions. Continuous improvement and development strategies will be implemented to maintain and elevate their competitive edge.

Bottom Line

CSUSM's achievement in the CCAA Commissioner's Cup underscores the university's growth in athletics, reflecting a robust culture of excellence and a commitment to student-athlete success. This strong showing serves as a foundation for future aspirations.