MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has been named a finalist for the 2026 Division II Award of Excellence.

Minnesota State is one of 26 schools and one conference named as a finalist for the 2026 Award of Excellence. This award highlights initiatives that exemplify the Division II philosophy of community engagement and student-athlete leadership.

Minnesota State and Augustana were recognized after they partnered to support Make-A-Wish. The program featured a Week of Wishes with campus events, donation drives and a joint social media campaign. Sodexo donated food for the pregame tailgate and Make-A-Wish staff helped coordinate family participation. Activities included games, face painting and a football game experience for Wish kids, with over 60 families.

The overall finalists were chosen by a committee of athletics administrators and the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, with the SAAC members ultimately selecting the top three finalists. Those honorees, including the winner, will be announced at the Division II business session this month at the 2026 NCAA Convention in the Washington, D.C., area. 

Each finalist will receive $750. The winner will receive $3,000, with the second-place finisher getting $1,750 and the third-place finisher awarded $1,500. All prize money is intended to be used for future SAAC programming or community engagement events. 
 
For a full list of the finalists click HERE