Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

2011-2012 Executive Board Members

SAAC Chair-
SAAC Vice Chair-
Administrative Chair-
Event Chair-

Administrative Contact
Elizabeth Burris
Head Women’s Softball Coach/
Associate Athletic Director/
NCAA Compliance Coordinator/
SWA
910-277-5428
burrises@sapc.edu

What is SAAC?

“The 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 policies that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAA member institution campuses” (www.ncaa.org).

St. Andrews’ SAAC goals are to engage in community service projects, participate in fundraising efforts such as the Make-A-Wish Campaign and Toys -for-Tots, build a sense of community amongst the athletic teams and the campus as a whole, and develop strong student-athlete leaders.

For more information about SAAC, check out the NCAA SAAC brochure: http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/SAAC04.pdf

What does SAAC Do?

The SAAC is a national organization created to gain input from student-athletes about the overall student-athlete experience on NCAA member institutions’ campuses.

The SAAC aims to:

Promote a positive student-athlete image. *
Create a sense of community amongst athletic teams.
Build a sense of responsibility to the community.
Encourage communication between athletics administration and student-athletes.
Actively participate in the administrative process of athletics programs and the NCAA. *
Generate a student-athlete voice within the NCAA structure. *
Review and react to the governance structure on legislation, activities and other subjects of interest. *
Gain feedback and insight about athletic department issues.

*- Provided by Conference Carolinas (http://conferencecarolinas.com/SAAC/SAAC_Page_Links)

“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.”

-Provided by Conference Carolinas (http://conferencecarolinas.com/SAAC/SAAC_Page_Links)

Who can be a member of SAAC?

Any student-athlete has the potential be a SAAC member. SAAC consists of at least one student-athlete representative from each of the 14 varsity intercollegiate teams competing at St. Andrews.

Member Qualifications:

SAAC membership requires that each representative be enrolled as a full-time student and be academically eligible at the time of selection; selections must remain in good standing academically throughout the academic year of SAAC membership.
Representatives should understand the importance of SAAC's work and have internal motivation to participate actively in its work.

Member Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

Attend all SAAC meetings and activities;
Represent their respective team's views at SAAC meetings;
Report on SAAC meetings to the team and coach
- By verbal communication as well as distributing copies of each meeting's minutes
Organize team members to help with any special projects;
Actively assist SAAC in achieving its goals!

Knights Cup

The Knights Cup is a competition designed to help improve school sprit by participation of the student-athlete and their teams. At the end of the year the athletics department will give the Knights Cup to the team that acquires the most points throughout the year. The points will be accumulated through community service, team support at other athletics games/school events, the mandatory programming, and SAAC participation.

A tally board will be set up outside the athletic office so the student-athletes can see where their teams stand. Throughout the year we will have updates sent out via email, as well as announcement during games to let teams know where they stand. The more exposure that is given the more likely the student-athletes will be encouraged to get involved.

General Rules:

All areas are worth 100 points and are based on percentage of team participation/finish, unless otherwise noted. For example, if 6 members of a 10-person team earn at least a 3.0 GPA, the team would earn 60 points toward the overall competition (60% of team x 100). Also, if a team places 2nd out of 14 teams in the conference, the team will earn 92.8 points (13/14 x 100).

Academic

Team members with GPA of 3.0 or higher
- 100 bonus points for team with highest GPA
Team members who earn a St. Andrews College Award (Honors Convocation Awards)
Number of awards Team members who earn Academic All-Conference or National Academic Awards
Team members who earn a Conference Carolina Academic Award
- 15 point bonus per player
Team members who earn Academic All-American status
- 30 point bonus per player

Athletic

Team members attendance at Knights Cup sponsored games
Team Conference Finish
Team NCAA Finish (place/# DII teams sponsoring sport x 100)
Team members who earn All-conference
Team member who earns Conference Player of the Year
- 25 point bonus
All-Region players/All-American players
- 25 point bonus per player

Career Development

Team members who complete a Resume (resume must be taken to Career Services Center and evaluated).
- Bring a copy of the original resume and the edited/corrected version to Athletics to receive credit
- 50 bonus points for team who has all team members complete a resume as described above

Personal Development

Team members who participate in a student organization
- must be on organization’s roster & active in organization to receive credit--SAAC does not qualify.
Team members who attend one campus speaker event
- outside of the Athletics speakers
Team members who attend one campus play.
Team members who attended OSA sponsored events.

Service Commitment

Team members who participate in SAAC's Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraiser
- 100 bonus points for team who wins penny war
Team members who participate in SAAC's Toys-for-Tots drive
Team members who are involved in other approved community service initiatives
- 100 bonus points for team with most hours

Athletics

Sports

Athletics