What is a Student-Athlete 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 polices that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAA member institution campuses.

History of NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

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-athlete from membership division for the purpose of ensuring that the student-athlete voice was one that accounted for the myriad of educational and athletics experience of both female and male student-athlete at all NCAA member institutions. In August 1997, the NCAA federated along divisional lines. The federation caused SAAC to expand to three SAACs representing NCAA division 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.

The input of the respective division 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 Division II and III SAACs continue to speak to legislative issues on the NCAA convention floor.

Purpose of Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

· Promote communication between athletics administration and student-athletes.
· Disseminate information.
· Provide feedback and insight into athletics department issues.
· Generate a student-athlete voice within the campus athletics department formulation of policies.
· Build a sense of community within the athletics program involving all athletics team.
· Solicit student-athlete responses to proposed conference and NCAA legislation.
· Organize community service efforts.
· Create a vehicle for student-athlete representation on campus-wide committees (e.g., student government).
· Promote a positive student-athlete image on campus.

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Community Service Activities for 2007-08

· Penny Drive for Virginia Beach Playground (ongoing)
· Seagull Century Bike Race - October 6, 2007
· UMES CFDC Halloween Trick-o-Treat Parade - Tuesday, October 31, 2007
· Baby Hawks Field Day - Friday, April 4, 2008

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Leadership Development Activities for 2007-08

· SAAC REP Leadership Retreat - TBA, 2008
· SAAC REP/Coach Leadership Workshop - TBA, 2008
· SAAC & Campus Leadership "Perceptions" Event - TBA, 2008

Fall 2007 Meeting Schedule/MEAC Conference calls

· Tuesday, September 25, 2007 @ 11:00 a.m.
· Tuesday, October 9, 2007 @ 11:00 a.m.
· Tuesday, October 30, 2007 @ 11:00 a.m.
· Tuesday, November 13, 2007 @ 11:00 a.m.
· Tuesday, December 4, 2007 @ 11:00 a.m.

Spring 2008 Meeting Schedule/MEAC Conference calls

· Tuesday, February TBA, 2008 @ 11:00 a.m.
· Tuesday, March TBA, 2008 @ 11:00 a.m.
· Tuesday, April TBA, 2008 @ 11:00 a.m.
· Tuesday, Mary TBA, 2008 @ 11:00 a.m.