CROOKSTON, Minn. – Minnesota State Moorhead was announced the winner of the 2025-26 NSIC Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Cup, presented by ISG. MSUM SAAC was presented the award during the joint dinner of student-athletes and the NSIC Board of Directors at the NSIC SAAC Summit, which is taking place Sunday-Tuesday on the campus of the University of Minnesota Crookston. This marks the second time in the past three years that the Dragons have taken home the cup.  

MSUM President Dr. Tim Downs, athletic director Chad Markuson, faculty athletic representive Dr. Julia Poplin and student-athletes Austin Dibble, Karlee Fisher, Caylin Kelly and Emily McPhee accepted the award. 

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 is the institutional SAAC with the most points accumulated during the academic year (September 1-May 1). The points must be achieved in each category to be eligible to win the NSIC SAAC Cup.

MSUM  scored 26,430 points to finish 519 points ahead of Augustana University (25,911). 
 
2025-26 NSIC SAAC Cup Final Standings  

1	MSU Moorhead	26,430
2	Augustana	25,911
3	Bemidji State	25,534
4	Wayne State	15,864
5	Minnesota State	14,318
6	Minnesota Duluth	11,139
7	Minot State	10,015
8	Winona State	9,995
9	Southwest Minnesota State	9,850
10	St. Cloud State	8,775
11	Concordia-St. Paul	6,895
12	Minnesota Crookston	5,600
13	Jamestown	4,400
14	UMary	4,302
15	Northern State	3,950
16	Sioux Falls	3,459

Past SAAC Cup Winners
2024-25 - Bemidji State
2023-24 - MSU Moorhead
2022-23 - Wayne State
2021-22 - Minnesota Duluth 
2020-21 - Not Awarded
2019-20 - Not Awarded
2018-19 - Wayne State 
2017-18 - Minnesota Duluth

Categories and Criteria:
Make-A-Wish Participation. Make-A-Wish: 1/2 point for every dollar raised up to $1,750 and 1 point for every dollar raised thereafter.
Financial Contributions To Worthy Causes: 1/2 point for every dollar raised up to $1,750 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 (Wellness and Belonging, Mental Health Awareness/Green Bandana Project, It's a Slam Dunk-Don't Drive Drunk, Life After College).
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 15-team, 18-sport, NCAA Division II conference with institutions located in 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 27 team national championships and crowned 121 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