HORNET Challenge
The HORNET Challenge is a competition among Lyndon State College varsity sports
teams created to promote Hornet Pride, Academic Excellence, and the Attributes of DIII:
Comprehensive Learning: opportunity for broad-based education and success.
Proportion: appropriate relation of academics with opportunities to pursue athletics & other passions.
Passion: playing for the love of the game, competition, fun and self-improvement.
Responsibility: development of accountability through personal commitment and choices.
Sportsmanship: fair and respectful conduct toward all participants and supporters.
Citizenship: dedication to developing responsible leaders and citizens in our communities
Teams will earn points in 7 categories – Academic Excellence, Athletic Excellence, Personal
Development, Career Development, Community Service, Athletes Supporting Athletes, and
Above & Beyond. Each team is responsible for reporting activities in the categories of Personal
Development, Career Development, Community Service, Athletes Supporting Athletes, and
Above & Beyond, while Academic and Athletic Excellence points will be determined by the
SAAC advisor. The winning team will be recognized and receive a team prize at the end of the
spring semester.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: Individual GPAs will be averaged to determine a team GPA
following the Fall Semester.
100 Points ~ Highest GPA Team
75 Points ~ 2nd Highest GPA Team
50 Points ~ 3rd Highest GPA Team
25 Points ~ All other teams over a 3.0 GPA
25 Points ~ Each student-athlete on President’s List (4.0 GPA)
15 Points ~ Each student-athlete on Dean’s List (3.5 GPA)
50 Points ~ NAC Senior Scholar Athlete
ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE: Teams and Individuals will be awarded points on national,
regional, and conference championships and individual recognition.
100 Points ~ National Championship
75 Points ~ ECAC or Regional Championship (cross country = top 2 teams)
50 Points ~ Conference Tournament Championship
25 Points ~ Conference Regular-Season Champions
Individual Student-Athlete Bonus:
150 Points ~ National Player/Rookie of the Year
100 Points ~ All-American OR Regional Player/Rookie of the Year
75 Points ~ All-Region Team (including All-Rookie Team)
50 Points ~ Conference Coach/Player/Rookie of the Year
25 Points ~ All-Conference Team
15 Points ~ NAC/Conference Rookie/Player of the Week
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT: Attending an event/activity (e.g., lecture, presentation, or
speaker) that promotes PERSONAL growth, including, but not limited to: Nutrition, Leadership,
Academic Success, Self-esteem, Stress management, Alcohol/Drug choices, Spiritual/Cultural
and Financial Responsibility. MANDATORY TEAM EVENTS or EVENTS EXCLUSIVE TO
ONE PARTICULAR TEAM DO NOT QUALIFY.
25 Points ~ At least 50% of team in attendance OR
2 Points ~ Per individual, up to 10 points (maximum) per team, per event
15 Points ~ NAC Sportsmanship Team
CAREER DEVELOPMENT: Attending an event/activity (e.g., lecture, presentation, or speaker)
that promotes PROFESSIONAL growth, including, but not limited to: Resume workshops,
Career services programming, Career conferences, and career fairs. MANDATORY TEAM
EVENTS or EVENTS EXCLUSIVE TO ONE PARTICULAR TEAM DO NOT QUALIFY.
25 Points ~ At least 50% of team in attendance OR
2 Points ~ Per individual, up to 10 points (maximum) per team, per event
COMMUNITY SERVICE: This includes any activity that provides service (with no payment
received) to the college, local, or global community.
50 Points ~ Team Community Service Activity (75% of team must participate)
2 Points ~ Individual Community Service Activity (per hour, with documentation)
ATHLETES SUPPORTING ATHLETES: Attending Lyndon State Athletic events to
demonstrate support for fellow student-athletes, increase fan base, and create a more
energetic/positive competition environment.
25 Points ~ At least 50% of the team in attendance, for at least 50% of the event
ABOVE & BEYOND: If there is an activity you feel is worthy of the spirit of this challenge, but
does not fit into one of the established categories, submit it for review by the SAAC Advisor.
Points awarded are at the discretion of the advisor.
DEDUCTIONS: Teams not attending SAAC Meetings or otherwise not fulfilling SAAC duties
will lose 10 points per occasion.