ATHLETIC ACADEMIC SERVICES
The Indiana State University athletics department and the Athletic Academic Services Office provides the opportunity for student-athletes to experience a well-rounded educational program. We offer supplemental programs to enhance the student-athlete experience, such as, peer mentoring, tutoring, UNIV 101, CHAMPS/Life Skills, enrichment hours, career counseling, and academic advising to all student-athletes. It is our intent that these services assist student-athletes in achieving their goals while participating in a demanding NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletic program.
CHAMPS/Life Skills
Mission
To support the development of a well-balanced lifestyle for student-athletes, encouraging emotional well-being, personal growth and decision-making skills as well as engaging the student-athlete in service to his or her campus and surrounding communities.
Sycamore Cup
The Sycamore Cup competition, played by all varsity sport programs at Indiana State, provides a means by which student-athletes can compete on behalf of their teams for points in different categories that encompass the mission of the NCAA Life Skills Program. The point categories focus on developing the individual, being an active role model, acting as a team, supporting other student-athletes, and academic achievement.
Participation in the competition reinforces an appreciation of the values and lessons that athletics can provide. Participants will realize the impact that they can have on their school and community.
Categories:
Academic Achievement
This category refers to the commitment of our Sycamore Student-Athletes to academically achieve at a level that exceeds expectation. The academic achievements of the given semester are recognized by awarding points on the following scale:
Team GPA: 4.00 - 3.50 = 100 Points
3.49 – 3.00 = 75 Points
2.99 – 2.50 = 50 Points
2.49 – 2.00 = 25 Points
The male and female with the highest individual GPA’s will also earn an additional 25 points for their teams.
If ALL members of the team are in good academic standing at the end of each semester the team will earn an additional 25 points.
The team with the highest growth of GPA will also earn an additional 25 points for their team.
Blue/White Games and Life Skills Events
This category promotes support amongst the teams and individual student-athletes, in-turn creating a more cohesive athletic community. Blue/White games are determined by the sports SAAC representatives and their coaches. TO EARN POINTS: Student-Athletes must sign in at the designated game with the Athletic Academic Services Staff. Points with be based off of your teams percentage of student-athletes in attendance. (If you have 20 people on your roster and you have 15 athletes show up, 15/20 = 75%. Your team will be awarded 75 points.)
Community Service
This category focuses on service to our community, which can include donations or action projects.
TO EARN POINTS: A team can earn 100 points for each ACTION project and 50 Points for each charitable donation. Each event may only count ONCE during the given cup year. Additional events will be counted toward the Sycamore Service Award. Student-Athletes can earn an additional 5 points for each individual hour of service completed. SAAC sponsored events do not count towards this. Community Services Forms must be completed and turned into the SAAC Advisor within 2 weeks of the service activity.
SAAC Communication
This category gives credit to the dedicated members of the ISU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. SAAC members represent their teams in a bi-weekly forum that discusses ideas and issues pertinent to the success of the athletic department and its student-athletes. TO EARN POINTS: 5 Points are given for each representative that attends a meeting with a maximum of 10 points per team awarded at any given meeting. Participation in a SAAC sponsored event will also be awarded by an additional 5 points per individual.
Community Service Forms must be completed before or after each event and returned to the SAAC advisor within two weeks of the event.
Team effort is defined as participation of at least 50% of the team.
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
Mission
To enhance the academic, physical, and social development of Indiana State University student-athletes, as well as, foster an active communication network between the student-athletes, administration, campus, and community.
Executive Board
President- Andrea Rademacher, women’s basketball
Vice President- Rachael Johnson, women’s track and field
Treasurer- Halee Myers, softball
Secretary- Kylee Thacker, women’s cross country
Community Service-Taylor Hancock, women’s soccer
2012-2013 SAAC
Aaron Archie, Football
Katy Balch, Spirit Squad (Cheer)
Dustin Betz, Men’s CC
Christina Beyerl, Golf
Tyler Browning, Baseball
Kalli Dalton, Women’s CC
Emily Dixon, Golf
Lucas Eitel, Men’s Basketball
Christie Fullenkamp, Volleyball
Taylor Hancock, Soccer
Jacob Hayes, Baseball
Rachael Johnson, Women’s Track
Kasey Kahle, Women’s Track
Jake Kitchell, Men’s Basketball
Loni Mackinson, Volleyball
Anna Munn, Women’s Basketball
Halee Myers , Softball
Swapna Namburi, Spirit Squad (Dance)
Andrea Rademacher, Women’s Basketball
Tanner Riley, Football
Tristan Selby, Men’s CC
Megan Stone, Softball
Kylee Thacker, Women’s CC
Max Tuttle, Men’s Track
Natalie Vaught, Soccer
Bobby Webb, Men’s Track
Advisors
Tiandra Finch, Assistant Director – Sycamore Athletic Academic Services
Angie Lansing, Assistant Athletics Director, Business Operations / SWA
Meetings
The SAAC meets monthly to discuss athletic department issues, sub-committee reports, and sport specific updates. The SAAC also coordinates many events and community service projects throughout the year. All student-athletes are welcomed and encouraged to attend any meeting, or be involved with any event. SAAC meets bi-monthly on Tuesday Nights at 9pm in the Academic Enrichment Center.
Annual Community Service Events:
Pass the Bucket- Collect money for different charities throughout the Terre Haute Community
Jam the Bus- Food drive to help the hungry in the Wabash Valley. All foods collected are donated to Terre Haute Catholic Charities. This event is put on with other ISU departments as well as the Vigo County School Corporation.
National Student-Athlete Day- A day where ISU student-athletes pair up with the Terre Haute Boys and Girls Club and do different activities before going and enjoying an ISU sporting event.
Student-Athlete Talent Show- A night where student-athletes showcase their talents to raise money for a charity of their choice.
Talent Show Photo Gallery
