SIOUX FALLS, S.D. –  South Dakota has been awarded the 2025-26 Summit League Student-Athlete Advocacy Committee (SAAC) Cup, earning 12,975 points throughout the academic year.

Now in its third year, the year-long competition was established to foster student-athlete engagement across Summit League institutions while recognizing institutional SAACs for their contributions within their athletic departments, campuses, communities and the league as a whole.

Institutions received points throughout the year based on criteria within five categories, including participation in Summit League SAAC initiatives, campus and community engagement, student-athlete development, leadership and overall SAAC involvement.

The Coyotes edged out North Dakota, who finished second with 12,785 points, while South Dakota State rounded out the top three with 10,260 points.

In addition to supporting Summit League SAAC’s league-wide initiatives, including Random Acts of Kindness, Read Across America and Season of Service, South Dakota’s SAAC remained highly engaged on campus and throughout the Vermillion community. The Coyotes hosted multiple Code Red events to encourage student-athlete and campus support at USD athletic events, organized an athletic department cornhole tournament, led a food drive in partnership with local community partners, and continued their High Five Fridays at area elementary schools. USD SAAC also connected with the community through Trick or Treat with the Yotes, created and delivered tie blankets to Sanford Children’s Hospital, coordinated student-athlete development opportunities such as financial literacy, nutrition and cooking workshops, and helped plan and execute The Charlie’s Awards show to celebrate the year in Coyote athletics.

SAAC CUP POINT CATEGORIES

MEETING ENGAGEMENT

• Summit League SAAC Meetings: 25 points for each participant (max of 2) on Summit League SAAC Zoom Meetings
• Summit League In-Person Meetings: 150 points for each attendee (max of 2)
• Campus SAAC Meetings: 50 points for each campus SAAC meeting (max of 2/month)
• Engagement Bonus: Additional 50 points per meeting for engaging campus/community leaders
  • e.g. Inviting University President, Athletic Director, or Chamber of Commerce Director to attend/present at your meetings

CAMPUS ENGAGEMENT

• Summit League Championships: 25 points per team that volunteers at a Summit League Championship hosted on campus 
• Campus Events: 100 points for collaborating with campus organizations and/or representing SAAC at a campus organized event 

 
SUMMIT LEAGUE SAAC INITIATIVES

• Random Acts of Kindness:  
  • 100 Points — Each completed BINGO line (5 in a row)
  • 1,000 Points — Full card BLACKOUT (all squares completed)
  • 10 Points — Each completed square not part of a completed line
• DEIB Trailblazers Series: 250 points for submitting your DEIB Trailblazer(s) on time
• Read Across America: 25 points for each classroom read to in March
• DEIB: 250 points for each SAAC organized DEIB initiative/event
  • e.g. Host a panel or speaker for Black History month, plan a Pride Game/Weekend, NGWSD clinic, RISE training for SAAC
• Mental Health Awareness: 250 points for each SAAC organized Mental Health initiative/event
  • e.g. Green Bandana, Hidden Opponent, Mental Health Awareness week, QPR Training

 
OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS

• Receive 250 points for other SAAC-organized community service/engagement projects that occur during the academic year.

 
ACADEMIC SUCCESS

• 1 point awarded per student-athlete named to the Summit League Academic Honor Roll
• 50 points for Summit League Scholar of the Championship
• 100 points for Summit League Scholar of the Year
• 50 points for each Summit League team who wins the Academic Achievement Award
• 250 points for earning the Summit League's Institutional Academic Achievement Award