Student-Athlete Voice

Student-athletes come together throughout the NCAA to make their voices heard on their campuses, in their conferences and nationally in all three divisions. Through Student-Athlete Advisory Committees at each of those levels, student-athletes offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect their lives on campus. At the campus level, SAACs promote communication between athletics administrators and student-athletes and represent the student-athlete voice within the athletics departments.

Ithaca College SAAC

Though the focus of campus SAACs is intended to be more personalized in nature. Communication among campus and national SAACs offers student-athletes the opportunity to shape the landscape of intercollegiate athletics.

Functions of campus SAACs:

• 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 teams.
• 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.

Members of a campus SAAC have the opportunity to address issues affecting student-athletes at their institution; furthermore, members have the opportunity to offer input on issues which may be national in scope.

The campus committee is meant to serve as a local student-athlete voice in addressing issues of student-athlete welfare at their respective institutions. Campus committees can facilitate better communication among student-athletes from various athletics teams to address issues common to all.

The campus SAAC may also serve as a conduit of communication among student-athletes, coaches and athletics administrators on issues to improve the student-athlete experience and promote growth and education through sports participation. Concerns can be voiced and solutions offered regarding any issue that may be relevant to NCAA student-athletes.

Through the grass-roots efforts of campus SAACs, student-athletes have the opportunity to change the face of intercollegiate athletics.

Community Service and Engagement

Bomber SAAC Reps, by virtue of their roles, are leaders on their athletics teams.  However, DIII Athletics is also about being a leader in the community. 
 
Community Service

Community service activities promote team building as well as provide leadership opportunities for Bomber SAAC Reps.  Community service is intended to reach out to the community.  This is generally a one-time occurrence with a specific initiative.

Community Engagement

Community engagement is designed and intended to build lasting relationships with the community.  This provides opportunities to get to know the campus community and local community better.  The goal and objective is to bring the community to campus and experience DIII collegiate events.  Through community engagement, student-athletes can direct the energy and spirit of winning to positively changing society. 
 
Special Olympics

The Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) initiated the partnership at the 2011 NCAA Convention and officially launched the partnership on August 1, 2011.  The purpose of the partnership is to enhance the lives of Division III student-athletes and Special Olympics athletes through a mutual learning experience; provide a platform for recognition of Special Olympics athletes and Division III student-athletes within their communities; and raise awareness of Special Olympics, its programs and services.

Through this partnership, Division III student-athletes across the country are encouraged to participate in existing Special Olympics events, create their own events, or otherwise serve to support Special Olympics organization. The activities pursued by student-athletes will vary in each state and region, tailored to best utilize the student-athletes' time and local resources.  Service activities with Special Olympic athletes range from unified events to sports clinics to bowling as well as pizza parties or fundraising efforts. 

This partnership provides the opportunity for student-athletes to engage with Special Olympics and collaborate with existing student-led programs on campus.  It also serves as another opportunity to demonstrate the citizenship and comprehensive learning attributes of Division III student-athletes. Student-athletes giving back to their local (and often national and international) communities not only adds to the comprehensive learning component of Division III, but also provides a venue for passion and service.
 
Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC)

SAAC and GIAC partner to create programming opportunities for students in the aftercare program at GIAC.  The programming allows the students to engagement in activities with student-athletes on Ithaca College’s campus.  The programming generally takes place during a recess period for the Ithaca City Schools.


Unite For Her

SAAC will partner with Unite for HER to brining programming to each of the departments intercollegiate teams by sponsoring one home contest.
 
Unite for HER’s mission is to bridge the gap between the medical and wellness communities by funding and delivering complementary therapies that support the physical and emotional needs of those with breast cancer during treatment and beyond. We educate our women and the community about the role of healthy lifestyle choices in the prevention of disease and the promotion of wellness.
 
When Unite for HER founder Sue Weldon was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, she began searching for information on therapies that would complement the medical treatments she was receiving. What she discovered was a lack of easily accessible resources on topics like nutrition, acupuncture, massage, yoga, counseling and other ways for breast cancer patients to enhance their wellness and care for their emotional, spiritual, and physical needs.
 
Since its establishment as a nonprofit organization in 2009, Unite for HER’s cornerstone has been to bridge that gap for breast cancer patients, focusing on wellness initiatives that will positively impact their health, as well as the health of all women and girls.

 
SAAC website