Article l: Mission Statement
As members of the UMAC and NCAA, the Northwestern Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will seek to unify athletes and teams in the athletic department. It will strive to present a positive student athlete image in order to gain support and unity from students and faculty. SAAC will work to provide equality among athletes and encourage success athletically and academically. Above all else, SAAC will glorify God in all that it does and promote spiritual growth for all athletes.
Article ll: Purpose
A student-athlete advisory committee is a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience. SAAC offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on their campuses.
1. To give student athletes a voice in order to provide feedback and insight into issues of the athletic department.
2. A forum that provides open and clear communication between athletes and coaches.
3. To provide a positive, competitive spirit between Northwestern and the teams played against.
4. To provide a way for athletes to serve the community together.
5. To promote a pursuit of excellence in each sport and provide encouragement to all athletes.
6. To promote a supportive atmosphere on campus for the athletic department by encouraging students and faculty to attend games and events.
7. To call athletes to a higher standard athletically, academically, and spiritually.
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 that 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.
Article lll: Responsibilities
A. Representatives:
- 1) Attend monthly meetings. In order for attendance to be noted, it is the representative's responsibility to sign in. If unable to attend, he/she must inform the executive board and find a replacement to ensure representation from the team at the meeting.
- 2) Report to teammates and coaches with the issues presented at the meeting. Representatives should discuss these issues with their team.
- 3) Participation is necessary in order for the committee to be effective.
- 4) Outgoing senior representatives should bring their appointed replacements with them to the spring meetings.
- 5) Become informed and educated about various issues relevant to Northwestern and the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC).
B. Executive Board:
- 1) Prepare for general SAAC committee meetings in advance.
- 2) Attend SAAC events and act as a liaison between the UMAC and the campus.
- 3) Present NCAA legislation to campus SAAC and report to UMAC Representative.
- 4) Coordinate volunteer activities and increase involvement with the surrounding Northwestern community.
- 5) Plan events such as Student-Athlete Appreciation Day, National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and other relevant events.
- 6) Record meeting minutes and present them to SAAC representatives.
General Campus Contact Information
Chair
Griffen Jarchow
Vice Chair
Emily Ashton
Secretary
Gabrielle Keith
Athletic Director
Dr. Matt Hill
Advisor to SAAC
Gabrielle Webster, Assistant Director of Athletic Operations & External Relations
Please contact Gabrielle at gjwebster@unwsp.edu if you are interested in joining.
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