Achieve CHALLENGE 23-24
Promoting Community Service
Across the State
2023-2024 Service Award Winning Schools
The Achieve Challenge — formerly the Iowa Pride Challenge — is a statewide community service initiative for Iowa schools and their basketball programs.
The annual program was launched for boys’ and girls’ teams in 2010 and is administered through the IHSAA office. Participating schools have the opportunity to select a service project that is meaningful for their students and community, win service awards, and allow their high school basketball teams to compete in an Achieve Challenge scrimmage/exhibition contest.
Thanks to Achieve Challenge sponsor, Fareway
How to Participate
All Iowa schools are encouraged to participate (but they’re not required). If your school wants to participate, you must select a service project and register your plans using the online IHSAA Bound Forms available to your AD.
School Service Awards
Five $500 awards (at large across the state) will be awarded to the most outstanding community service projects coordinated by participating high schools.
The CHALLENGE Scrimmage/
Exhibition
Schools participating in the Challenge Scrimmage are permitted to use one of their 3 allotted basketball scrimmages (boys and/or girls) to play a regulation game under all normal game conditions, including charging admission, keeping score, and using officials. All schools wishing to participate in a Challenge Scrimmage must have the HOST school register online through Bound forms at IHSAA. We strongly encourage both schools to participate in one combined service project.
Challenge Scrimmage/
Exhibition FAQs
Can JV and/or Freshmen teams participate in a Challenge Scrimmage?
A single event may include Varsity, JV, and Freshmen (if part of the high school basketball program). A single event may include boys and girls.
How many Challenge Scrimmages can we participate in?
Each school is permitted to participate in a maximum of ONE Challenge Scrimmage event for the girls’ team(s) and ONE event for the boys’ team(s).
Can we charge admission at our Challenge Scrimmage?
Yes, schools are permitted to charge admission.
Does our Challenge Scrimmage count on our record?
Schools are permitted to keep score, but Challenge Scrimmages do not count on a team’s record.
Does our Achieve Challenge Scrimmage have to be a full regulation game?
No, it is at the discretion of the participating schools whether to play a full regulation game or a modified version.
Can we include a three-point contest or free-throw shooting contest?
The event may include additional activities such as a three-point contest or free-throw contest. Schools also have the option of a more traditional scrimmage scenario.
When can we schedule our Challenge Scrimmage?
Scrimmages must take place during the designated time frame (Nov. 6, 2023 to Dec. 23, 2023).
Is there a cost or fee to participate in an Achieve Challenge Scrimmage?
There is NO cost for schools to hold a Challenge Scrimmage. Schools may also collect a gate for admission if they choose at their event.
What happens to Challenge Revenues?
Proceeds from the event may either be used to benefit your chosen service project or may be retained by the host school.
How do we get approval to participate in an Achieve Challenge Scrimmage?
The host school is responsible for completing a brief online application through their IHSAA Bound forms.
When will we receive authorization to go ahead on our Achieve Challenge Scrimmage?
After submitting the online form, the application will be reviewed and an email will be sent to the host school contact that was provided on the form with permission to proceed or request for additional information.
When is the final deadline to submit our Achieve Challenge Application?
November 2, 2023 – all applications must be approved BEFORE scrimmages occur.
Have any Questions?
Questions regarding the Iowa Pride Challenge should be directed to Chad Elsberry, IHSAA Assistant Director, by email at [email protected].
Help us spread the good word about your Achieve Challenge!
Go to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and post your photos, and use hashtag #AchieveChallengeIowa and tag us!
Twitter: @IHSAA
Instagram: @TheIHSAA
Posting on social media also enters your event into consideration for a service award!