For Immediate Release
Sunday, May 22, 2022
NSIC Media Relations
NSIC SAAC Cup
 
WINONA, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Duluth was announced the winner of the NSIC Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Cup, presented by ISG.  UMD was presented the award during the joint dinner of student-athletes and the NSIC Board of Directors at the NSIC SAAC Summit. The NSIC SAAC Summit is taking place Sunday-Tuesday on the campus of Winona State University.

The NSIC SAAC Cup, a traveling trophy, is awarded annually at the NSIC SAAC Summit. Institutions receive points throughout the year based on the criteria within the categories below. The winner will be the institutional SAAC with the most points accumulated by the end of the academic year (September 1-May 1). The points must be achieved in each category to be eligible to win the NSIC SAAC Cup.

Minnesota Duluth, which also won the inaugural award in 2017-18, scored 18,774 points, finished 5,541 points ahead of second place, Wayne State (13,233). Highlights of UMD's year included winning the 2022 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence for the Green Bandana Project and Mental Health Awareness Games. Minnesota Duluth student-athletes worked together to break the stigma surrounding mental health, supporting those struggling with mental illness and suicidal thoughts, and spreading mental health resources. Mental health advocates display a green bandana on their bookbag to show support to anyone feeling impacted by mental health. 
 
NSIC SAAC Cup Final Standings  
 

1	Minnesota Duluth	18774
2	Wayne State	13233
3	MSU Moorhead	8330
4	Minnesota State	6968
5	Winona State	6903
6	University of Mary	6865
7	Upper Iowa	6775
8	SMSU	6000
9	Northern State	5450
10	Minnesota Crookston	5317
11	Minot State	5017
12	Sioux Falls	4750
13	Bemidji State	4600
14	St. Cloud State	4500
15	Augustana	3850
16	Concordia-St. Paul	3800

Categories and Criteria:
 
Make-A-Wish Participation. Make-A-Wish: 1/2 point for every $ raised up to $1750 and 1 point for every dollar raised thereafter.
Financial Contributions To Worthy Causes: 1/2 point for every $ raised up to $1750 and 1 point for every dollar raised thereafter
NSIC SAAC Meetings: 250 points for each attendee (max of 3) at SAAC Summit. Receive 50 points for each participant (max of 3) on NSIC SAAC Zoom Meetings.
Campus SAAC Meetings: Receive 100 points for campus SAAC meetings (max of 2/month). Receive an additional 50 points per meeting for engaging campus/community leaders.
SAAC Legislative Grid: Receive 250 points for completing/returning on time. Receive an additional 250 points for meeting with President/Chancellor AND FAR to review proposed legislation.
NSIC SAAC Initiatives: Receive 500 points for NSIC SAAC organized initiatives (Diversity & Inclusion, Mental Health Awareness/Green Bandana Project, It's a Slam Dunk-Don't Drive Drunk, It's on Us/One Love Foundation).
Other projects: Receive 250 points for SAAC-organized community service/engagement projects that occur during the academic year.

About ISG
ISG, a 100 percent employee owned firm, has a rich history, which extends over 48 years of building trusting relationships with clients, stakeholders, and the community. As a full-service architecture, engineering, environmental, and planning firm with over 400 professionals in offices throughout Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota, ISG provides exceptional services, strategies, and guidance to a wide range of markets nationwide. ISG was named among the 100 fastest growing firms, best places to work for, and market excellence leader in the United States by Zweig Group, recognized as a Top 500 Design Firm by Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine, and has earned spots on numerous Top Workplace and project recognition lists. To learn more about ISG, visit ISGInc.com.

About the NSIC
The NSIC is a 16-team, 18-sport, NCAA Division II conference with institutions located in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The NSIC is a model Division II conference that uses high-level athletics competition to develop champions in the classroom and community while empowering student-athletes to be impactful and positive leaders. Formed in 1992 by the merger of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (men’s league) and the Northern Sun Conference (women’s league), the NSIC has flourished over the past quarter century, maturing into a 16-team union of Upper Midwest colleges and universities. The NSIC has won 25 team national championships and crowned 90 individual national champions. For additional information, visit NorthernSun.org. 

About NSIC SAAC
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) serves as the primary governance arm representing student-athlete interests in Division II affairs. SAAC members serve as student-athlete liaisons that monitor and discuss happenings on campuses, within conference and at the national level. For additional information, go to: NorthernSun.org/SAAC