Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
What is SAAC?
The Albany State University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is an NCAA-mandated committee made up of student-athletes from each sport and cheerleading who provide insight into the student-athlete experience. The SAAC also offers input on the rules, regulations, and policies that affect the lives of student-athletes at Albany State University. The SAAC serves as a conduit of communication among student-athletes, coaches, and athletic administrators on issues to improve the student-athlete experience and promote growth and education through sports participation. The Committee assists in the development and implementation of programs that motivate student-athletes to strive for and be recognized for academic excellence and commitment. The SAAC provides the means, as well as the opportunity, for student-athletes to express views on issues that are directly related to them.
SAAC Projects
The ASU SAAC sponsors several community service projects throughout the year, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Toy For Tots, and food and clothing drives. The group, which has been honored by the SIAC for its continuous work in the community for several years, was recently awarded the 2011 and 2012 SIAC SAAC Citizenship Awards. The award is presented annually to the program that has completed the most community service projects and other initiatives on their campuses and in their communities. SAAC also sponsors line dance aerobics classes for ASU faculty, staff, and students, and Ram Rallies to cheer ASU fall sports teams to victory. The group sponsors educational workshops on health-related issues, including STDs and sexual responsibility.
ASU SAAC Mission Statement
The mission of the ASU SAAC is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity for all student-athletes; protecting student-athlete welfare; and fostering a positive student-athlete image. The SAAC is guided by the principles of ethics, integrity, fairness, and respect for diversity which shall include attention to gender, race, ethnicity, and sport.
Purpose of 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 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.
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 to ensure that the student-athlete voice 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.
For more information regarding the Albany State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, email
ASUCompliance@asurams.edu
