What Is the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC)?
A student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) is a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience. The SAAC also offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAA member institution campuses.
Presently, there are separate national SAACs for NCAA Divisions I, II and III. NCAA legislation mandates that all member institutions have SAACs on their respective campuses. Further, NCAA legislation requires that all member conferences have SAACs.
The information that follows will assist you in understanding how the network of SAACs, from individual campus committees to the conference and/or national committees, interact and support one another to shape intercollegiate athletics policy and enhance the student-athlete experience.
History of the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
An Association-wide SAAC was adopted at the 1989 NCAA Convention and was formed primarily to review and offer student-athlete input on NCAA activities and proposed legislation that affected student-athlete welfare.
The initial national committee was comprised of student-athletes from all membership divisions for the purpose of ensuring that the student-athlete voice was one that accounted for the myriad of educational and athletics experiences of both female and male student-athletes at all NCAA member institutions. In August 1997, the NCAA federated along divisional lines. The federation caused the SAAC to expand to three SAACs representing NCAA Divisions I, II and III.
Each national divisional committee is comprised of both female and male student-athletes charged with the responsibility of assisting in the review of NCAA proposed legislation and representing the voice of the student-athlete in the NCAA governance structure. This is accomplished by providing student-athlete input on issues related to student-athlete welfare that are division-specific. (Federation has increased student-athlete participation in the governance process of intercollegiate athletics by increasing the number of SAAC members from the former Association-wide committee of 28 student-athletes to a sum total of 79 members serving on the national Divisions I, II and III committees).
The input of the respective Divisions I, II and III SAACs continues to be sought by a variety of constituencies within the Association. Student-athlete committee members have the opportunity to speak with their respective NCAA Management Councils, and the Divisions II and III SAACs continue to speak legislative issues on the NCAA Convention floor.
National SAACs (Divisions I, II and III) at a glance:
Generate a student-athlete voice within the NCAA structure
Solicit student-athletes response to proposed NCAA legislation.
Recommend potential NCAA legislation.
Review, react and comment to the governance structure on legislation, activities and subjects of interest.
Promote a positive student-athlete image.
Mission Statement
"The mission of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare and fostering a positive student-athlete image."
Division II SAAC Guiding Principles
The Division II SAAC will be guided by the following principles: ethics, integrity, fairness and a respect for diversity which shall include attention to gender, race, ethnicity and sport.
Governing Rule
We, as the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, will ultimately hold one another accountable for all actions, particularly those actions taking place during the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee meetings.
SAAC Committee Officers and Members
President
Jared Stoler
Vice-President
Bethanie Mandresh
PAST SAAC SPONSORSED EVENTS
In the 2007-2008 Academic Year, SAAC put together events to enhance the student-athlete experience both on and off campus. On campus SAAC held Pep Rallies, Dodgeball Events, Sport Outings, and a Welcome Back BBQ. Off Campus SAAC raised money for Make-A-Wish & the WBCA Cancer Foundation. They also have collected items to create Easter Baskets for children in shelters as well as hats, gloves and scarves for our Veterans. Every Spring, SAAC comes out to support P.S. 229 in their quest at the Special Olympics.
Contact SAAC
Do you have any thoughts or ideas that you think might do well as a fundraiser or a student-athlete gathering?
Well SAAC would like to hear about it!
Advisor: Rachel Walter
Phone: (718) 997-2736
Fax: (718) 997-2742
E-mail: Rachel.Walter@qc.cuny.edu
Address: 65-30 Kissena Blvd.
Flushing, New York 11367
Athletics Office Room 204
