23443
 
26213

*Final 2025-26 SAAC Cup Standings
 

Summit League Student-Athlete Advocacy Committee (SAAC) Cup

The Summit League announced the inaugural Summit League Student-Athlete Advocacy Committee (SAAC) Cup challenge during the 2023-2024 school year. The challenge was initiated to enhance and encourage student-athlete engagement across Summit League institutions while also recognizing institutional SAACs for their involvement within their athletic departments, on their campuses, throughout their communities, and across the Summit League. 

The Summit League SAAC Cup, a traveling trophy, will be awarded annually at the In-Person SAAC Summit. Institutions will receive points throughout the year based on the criteria within five categories listed below - Meeting Engagement, Campus Engagement, Summit League SAAC Initiatives, Community Service, Academic Success. The institutional SAAC with the most points accumulated throughout the academic year (August 1-June 1) will be crowned the winner.
 
SAAC CUP CHAMPIONS
Year Institution Points
2026 South Dakota 12,975
2025 North Dakota 11,588
2024 South Dakota State 8,030


Categories and Criteria:
  • 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 on Campus:  25 points per team for volunteering at a Summit League Championship hosted on campus that they are not participating in
    • 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