SAAC Making An Impact

10/1/2020 3:26:00 PM | Newsletter

Founded in 1989 by the NCAA, SAAC gives student-athletes a voice in the NCAA through advisory committees at the campus. SAAC represents all students who participate in intercollegiate athletics and serves as a liaison between the student-athletes, the administrators and the coaches. As defined by the NCAA, the Student Athletic Advisory Committee is: "A committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience. SAAC also offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAA member institution campuses."

Murray State SAAC has several initiatives coming up this year, starting with the annual Can Drive supporting our local Needline branch. Information on the Can Drive will be coming soon from Jensen Striegel (Softball) and Lindsey Carroll (Softball), who have taken on leadership roles with this annual event for 2020. SAAC Members are also doing a "thank you" letter writing campaign during October and November, with each team sending notes to campus and community members.

SAAC also plans to revamp the bulletin boards in the Weaver Center updating them with current initiatives; including a new Student-Athlete of the Month program (Student-Athlete nominated, SAAC voted), Racer Report information, updates on the Racer Road Challenge (2020-2021 Team Academic Challenge) and Racer Restart guidelines. Payton Carter (Golf) and Charli Doss (Golf) will be leading the revamp and updating of the bulletin boards in the Weaver Center.

The OVC SAAC group is also putting forth some initiatives for this fall that our SAAC group will be promoting through the SAAC Instagram Page (@MurrayStateSAAC). First is Mental Health Week, beginning on Oct 4^th. This campaign is spearheaded by Abby Jones (Soccer) and Sara Loncarevic (Tennis) featuring SAAC member interviews, information about student-athlete mental health as well as mental health resources on campus. This year's OVC SAAC representatives for the 2020-2021 are Becca Fernandez (Volleyball) and Quinn Eaton (Golf).

If you have anything you would like to see SAAC be a part of or discuss, please reach out to any of the members or SAAC Advisor, Kelsey Riggins.

2020-21 Sport Representatives
Baseball – Connor Holden and Trey Hutchison
Football – Chris Stahl, DeQuan Dallas and Kam Petty
Men's Basketball – Brion Whitley and Chico Carter
Men's Cross Country – Benjamin Hall and Ryan Dent
Men's Golf – Quinn Eaton and Walker Beck
Rifle – Dana Buesseler and Emily Fitzgerald
Soccer – Abby Jones and Katie Bickers
Softball – Jensen Striegel and Lindsey Carroll
Volleyball – Becca Fernandez and Emma Kailiponi
Women's Basketball – Laci Hawthorne and Raegan Blackburn
Women's Golf – Charli Doss and Payton Carter
Women's Tennis – Anja Loncarevic and Sara Loncarevic
Women's Track & Field/Cross Country – Brooke Misukonis, Ke'Mya Owens and LaMiah Campbell