Day in the Life of DI SAAC: NCAA Convention 01/29/2012
Retrieved from NCAA.org Add Comment By Michelle Brutlag Hosick NCAA.org When the presidents on the Division I Board of Directors came into the boardroom on Jan. 14, they were poised to continue the fast-moving changes that began with the presidential retreat last August. Having just spent two hours at breakfast with student-athletes representing almost all the Division I conferences, they also were armed with the unique perspective that only the student-athletes could give them. In small groups, the presidents and student-athletes discussed the reform agenda and what the Board would vote on later that day. The student-athletes took full advantage of that opportunity, and several presidents said their opinions on certain issues – and ultimately their votes – were swayed by their interaction with the people those decisions affect the most. “If you don’t hear the voices of those most affected by the changes you are making, you get all these unintended consequences that could have been avoided. The most important thing we do I believe wholeheartedly is to protect the welfare of these student-athletes,” said Wright State President David Hopkins. “We have to create more opportunities to hear their stories, to understand their challenges and to understand the impact of the policy changes we are making.” Oregon State President Ed Ray, who also chairs the Executive Committee, said the discussions with the student-athletes, both at the breakfast and during the Division I Issues Forum, informed the Board’s thinking leading up to the votes. “In my opinion, student input was critical to leading us to the right decisions,” he said, noting that on one occasion, the student-athlete input helped improve language in a proposal, and on other occasions swayed opinion significantly. “The conversations are helpful in the sense that one can help others best if the people you are trying to help can express their own opinions of proposed changes,” Ray said. “More than once I learned that policies intended to benefit students were seen quite differently by them.” The student-athletes were thrilled that the Board was so receptive to their messages. Maddie Salamone, lacrosse student-athlete from Duke and vice chair of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, said that when she and her colleagues talked, the presidents really listened. “We were able to sway what they thought based on our experiences and the impact we believed some of the policies they were considering would have,” Salamone said. “While we agree with their initiative and the sentiment to benefit student-athletes, they could do things differently.” The SAAC has a representative on each of the presidential working groups, and the student-athletes aren’t afraid to influence the policies and proposals as they are formed. Curtis Schickner, a baseball student-athlete from UMBC and another vice chair of the SAAC, said he feels the student-athletes not only have been included in the process but also have been an important and respected part of reform. Schickner serves on the Collegiate Model – Rules working group. “I’m the only student-athlete in there, and I’m the only one who knows. When I speak up, everyone looks up and listens to what I’m saying. I feel like my voice is really making an impact,” he said. “For me, it’s picking and choosing our battles … Ultimately, they are making these changes for student-athlete well-being and to make sure our experience is as good as it can be. Taking our view into consideration is just as important as any other group within the NCAA.” SAAC chair Eugene Daniels, football student-athlete at Colorado State, said the student-athletes feel empowered to speak up if they disagree, and they feel respected when they do it. “I think (the governance representatives) respect us because we’re so well-informed, intelligent and hard-working,” Daniels said. “That’s what it takes to be a student-athlete.” That dedication is the reason some of the presidents stay so involved with NCAA governance. Middle Tennessee State President Sidney McPhee, in his second term on the Board in the last decade, said interacting with the student-athletes has had a significant impact not only on the legislation the Board adopts (or defeats) but also on him personally. “Listening to these bright young people who are doing wonderful things on their campuses and are committed to academics and athletics gives me that extra energy and motivation to rejuvenate me,” McPhee said. Ray called the conversations with SAAC student-athletes “informative and inspiring.” “The conversations have been very rewarding for the presidents by both helping us improve legislation important to students and by providing us with an opportunity to meet exceptional young people doing extraordinary service for others, while balancing their academic studies and engagement in competitive athletics,” he said. “There are cynics who claim the amateur athlete model never existed and that intercollegiate athletics is not worth fighting for, but these young people give the presidents real confidence that what we seek to protect and perfect in the NCAA is very much worth fighting for and communicating to the broader public.” 
Maddie Salamone
Curtis Schickner
Eugene Daniels
D1 National SAAC Gives Back to the Community 01/08/2012
Ben Swinford, a Cornell University baseball player and National SAAC member representing the Ivy League, shares his thoughts about a recent community service outreach project conducted by the Division 1 National SAAC in Indianapolis this past November. During the most recent D1-SAAC meetings held in November at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis, we were able to take some time outside of the conference room and give back to the community. This time, we were lucky enough to partner with the incredible non-profit: Samaritan’s Feet. We hopped on a bus and traveled a quick five miles to the outskirts of downtown Indianapolis, ending at our destination: the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center. Our task for the afternoon: wash the feet of and distribute new shoes to the hundreds of men, women, and children that come in. Having never worked with Samaritan’s Feet before, I wasn’t sure what to expect. However, on arrival, the greeting of warm smiles from the children waiting in line, volunteers of the community center, and Todd Melloh from Samaritan’s Feet reassured me that this would be a great experience and excellent opportunity to help out. There were approximately twenty of us from D-1 SAAC washing feet, and we each worked with 8-12 people over the course of the afternoon. It was a great experience. I’ll never forget the first guy that stepped up to my station: Jimmy, a 14-year old swimming fanatic from two blocks down the road. He came in that day with his 4 younger brothers and one brave, strong mother. With size 15 feet, I could tell he had a chance to be a great swimmer. While talking with him over the next twenty minutes, I came to realize it had been 3 years since he last owned a pair of new shoes. He was thrilled when he walked away with a new pair Air Max Nikes laced up on his feet. About an hour later, Santiago, a 42 year-old father of six came through my station. He had just gotten off of a 12 hour day/night shift at the junkyard. It was great to see this incredibly nice man walk away with a brand new pair of bright-white Adidas and an even brighter smile. As we packed up to head back for a final round of meetings for that night, I think we were all extremely grateful for this opportunity to partner with Good Samaritan’s Feet and volunteer at the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center. Not to be too cliché, but this is truly an experience I will never forget. Story written by Curtis Schickner, a baseball player from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the America East Conference National SAAC Representative. The November meeting proved one thing to all of us: the Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is the voice of Division I student-athletes. Our role, mission and overall reach has grown tremendously since I joined the committee in July. The NCAA has noticed the importance of the student-athlete voice and included us in many discussions and collaborations. Our perspective as student-athletes is unique and the NCAA liaisons, conference administrators, and university leaders rely on us to provide tangible feedback on the issues that affect the student-athlete experience. From the recruiting process to the NCAA Championships, SAAC provides feedback and helps guide the NCAA towards positive changes and increased opportunities for student-athletes. During our November meeting, Dr. Mark Emmert, NCAA President, spent time with the Division I SAAC and sought feedback on the changing landscape of Division I, as well as the Presidential Working Groups that are currently transforming college athletics. There is no other group of student-athletes in the country that has a stronger voice than SAAC, and the scope of our influence seems to increase at every meeting. In addition to serving as representatives of Division I student-athletes, DI SAAC also strives to serve the community. During the November meeting, the committee volunteered with Samaritan's Feet. The service event humbled me in so many ways and inspired me to look into similar opportunities on my own campus. I am a firm believer that individuals must serve others before they become true leaders. I think all of us accepted this challenge and enjoyed giving back to that community and to the people who needed us most. Community service often covers a broad array of activities, but I feel that social engagement, with the people you are looking to help, gives the most positive influence to both parties. Samaritan's Feet offered this one-on-one, hands-on engagement with people in need and I strongly believe that both the community and National SAAC benefited from this event. My goal before graduation is to bring Samaritan's Feet to Baltimore and host an event with the students of University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The need for help can be found in every city, but is especially prevalent in the city of Baltimore. Our student-athletes, coaches, and administration would enjoy the opportunity and hopefully change the lives of some members in our local communities. Through leadership and service, Division I SAAC is making a difference. I strongly encourage every student-athlete to reach out to their team representatives and to get involved with SAAC. Whether it’s providing a unique perspective or raising an issue that affects student-athletes, your voice needs to be heard before change can occur. National SAAC will continue to support Division I student-athletes in every capacity, and we look forward to hearing any feedback or concerns that you, as student-athletes, have about your experience in Division I. For more information about SAAC visit www.nationalsaac.weebly.com. DI Legislation Upheld in 1st Electronic Vote 12/20/2011
By Michelle Brutlag Hosick NCAA.org In its first-ever electronic override vote, Division I members decided to retain legislation that prevents an institution from hosting, sponsoring or conducting a nonscholastic basketball practice or game in which men’s basketball prospects participate on its campus or at an off-campus facility it uses regularly. The proposal was intended to address a proliferation of nonscholastic men’s basketball events held on Division I campuses during quiet periods, especially in May and June. To be successful, 62.5 percent of those voting needed to support the override. When polls closed, 58.59 percent of 355 schools voting were in favor of the override. Those who don’t want those events (that is, supporters of the proposal) say they are being planned and operated to help institutions with recruiting but that college coaches are being leveraged to help event operators arrange for discounted operational costs under the threat that event operators will take the event (and all of the prospects) to another institution’s campus. The Division I National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee opposed the override, agreeing that recruiting advantages were significant for schools that host such events. The Recruiting and Athletics Personnel Issues Cabinet sponsored similar legislation for the 2011-12 cycle relating to women’s basketball at the request of the Women’s Basketball Issues Committee and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. The membership’s vote on the override of men’s basketball issue will be instructive to the Legislative Council in that regard. Schools that submitted override requests cited the loss of revenue potential as their primary concern. “The scope of this legislation is far too broad and its impact does more than just limit illegitimate groups from using an institution’s facility,” Rice assistant athletics director for compliance Michael Dean wrote in the electronic comment section. “Across the country, athletics departments and institutions are facing serious budget cuts. With this legislation, a critical piece of possible revenue is eliminated.” Supporters of the override also pointed the proposal’s inclusion of off-campus facilities used regularly by the school’s men’s basketball team. That prohibition was an overreach and requires institutions to control outside facilities, they argue. That proposal received 35 override requests, but the Legislative Council and Board of Directors both voted to maintain support of its earlier action. Division I adopted legislation in April to allow override votes to be conducted electronically rather than in person at the NCAA Convention. The electronic process included a ten-day window for comments from supporters and those who oppose the legislation. Voting began December 12 and closed December 16. Northwestern State senior linebacker Yaser Elqutub was introduced as the captain of the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, a 22-member squad chosen earlier this fall for remarkable community service and leadership. Elqutub also sits on the National SAAC as the Southland Conference representative. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qna3fH7_aEM Meghan Lyons, UNC Chapel Hill SAAC President, takes some time to share all the great work the UNC student-athletes have been up to this past semester. As the fall athletic seasons come to an end, UNC student-athletes took time to reflect on all the events, games, 5Ks, school readings, field days, academics—and much more that student-athletes took part in this past fall. What a season it was! Not only did we have a fabulous athletic season, and especially this year, the overwhelming commitment to the university community has reached another level. During October, many UNC teams, administrators, and community members took a strong part in transforming Chapel Hill into a pink zone—representing our commitment to helping spread the word about National Breast Cancer Awareness month. In addition to hosting a “wear pink” day for all student-athletes and administrators, the football, field hockey, gymnastics, and women’s soccer teams hosted “Turn it Pink” games to support this effort. Both football and field hockey worked in conjunction with our own campus organization, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer to put on this event. Carolina Dreams, a student-athlete group serving the North Carolina Children’s Hospital, has hosted various events already this fall, and expanded to host additional programs. The group has hosted two football games and a volleyball game in which they invite children from the UNC Hospitals and their families to spend time with student-athletes and enjoy a light dinner, before attending a UNC Athletic Event. Most recently, the group has developed a “Heel Date” program in which a children from the hospital who is well enough to experience a fun day out, will be selected to spend a day with a chosen Carolina student athlete. It has been a great success, and we have already hosted the first Heel Date with Men’s Basketball player Tyler Zeller. The Men’s Tennis team ran last weekend in the 4th Annual Eve Carson Memorial 5K for Education. This race, held annually, is especially unique to the Tar Heel experience and tradition. Three years ago, this race was founded in honor of former Student Body President, Eve Marie Carson. She was widely known for her commitment to outstanding leadership and community service, as well as a passion for the university and its students. Her loss was deeply felt on March 5, 2008, but this race and various other Eve Carson campus events live on the memory of Eve and all she accomplished and was known for while at UNC. Through the Carolina Leadership Academy, UNC student-athletes are given the opportunity to listen to several outstanding and motivational speakers throughout the year as “Life Skills Presentations”—this year was no exception. In October, we listened to Joe Erhmann, “Coach for America” speak to us about “Sports and Gender.” No one knew what to expect, walking into a talk with this title. Joe was outstanding and incredibly moving. We hope to have him back at UNC in the future! As a result of this compelling Life Skills presentation, UNC student-athletes have chosen to take part in the nation-wide “It Gets Better” video project. Heading into the holiday season, many teams have already signed up to take part in a “Share Your Holiday Project,” with each team adopting a family in need and providing each family with holiday presents from the team, in addition to cards and other gifts from the teams. This is one of the projects student-athletes look forward to every year, and we have a record number of teams participating this year, including: volleyball, field hockey, lacrosse, tennis, golf, baseball, swimming and diving, and rowing. ELON, N.C. -- Elon Athletics and the Elon Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is partnering with Allied Churches of Alamance County to collect new and gently used coats for both children and adults. "It is important for SAAC to help because one of our purposes is to do service in our community," said SAAC co-president and football player Dale Riley. "We like to present a positive image in the community not only as athletes in our respective sports, but in everything we do. There is a need in our community and we want to help fill that need. It is paramount to us that we leave Elon better than it was when we got here. Elon has given us so much and continues to provide us with great memories, a great education and the opportunity to play in front of great fans. This is a chance for us to give back and show our gratitude to the community." Riley was inspired to push for this drive after a visit as a part of numerous Phoenix teams to Allied Churches opened his eyes to the need in the community for warm coats. Riley saw numerous children without coats and learned about the many people in the community who have to sleep outside. After seeing this, he thought that SAAC and the athletic department could tackle assisting the organization. Coats will be collected at all home men's and women's basketball games through Dec. 14. Coats will also be collected at this Saturday's Elon football game against Appalachian State. Donation bins will also be stationed in both Alumni Field House and the Koury Athletic Center. On game days, SAAC representatives will be on hand to accept coats as well as cash donations which will be used to purchase hats and gloves. retrieved from: http://www.elonphoenix.com/news/2011/11/14/GEN_1114114640.aspx Event attendance included National SAAC representatives Cassandra Lloyd (Horizon League), Alex Mendez (Big East Conference), and Logan Roberts (Big 12 Conference) By Casey Richards NCAA.org After hours of measuring, cutting and tying, hundreds of fleece blankets made by teams of student-athletes and area children piled up on three different tables. “These will keep somebody warm tonight,” said a local Salvation Army representative to cheers from the group. The service activity was just one portion of the 2011 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, an event featuring 333 student-athletes and administrators building their leadership skills. Participants took part in activities Nov. 3-6 in Chicago that included breakout sessions on individual behaviors and values, discussions with national SAAC and NCAA representatives, and life-skills presentations. The goal of the forum, according to NCAA Vice President of Student-Athlete Affairs Robert Vowels, is for participants to leave “empowered” and to “gain some momentum on campus.” Participating student-athletes were ready to carry out that charge. “I’m going to bring some of these lessons back to my SAAC at school, but then also continue to help my team develop,” said Kate Gallagher, a sophomore golfer at Missouri. “This conference is definitely going to help me help other people.” The team sessions focused primarily on building leadership by identifying personal values and behavior. “Being aware of yourself enables you to better lead those around you,” said Grand Valley State sophomore runner Leiah Hess. “If you’re not aware of yourself, then that makes it a little more difficult for people to follow you.” Initiative activities like the Student-Athlete Olympics, which featured dance-offs, rock/paper/scissor contests and the limbo added to a weekend that Vowels called an opportunity to “enhance the student-athlete experience.” This manifests itself through participants leaving with not only valuable lessons, but lasting relationships formed through the various activities. “It’s been great,” said sophomore Southern Arkansas baseball player Jordan Hill on the forum’s second day. “I’ve already met a handful of people I think I’ve already become really close with who I’ll probably keep in contact with.” Athletics Professionals Benefit Also While the forum focuses on student-athletes, athletics professionals were also present. The forum allowed them to network and share ideas to build intercollegiate athletics as a whole. “The biggest impact for me has been the networking,” said Lori Kerans, Millikin’s head women’s basketball coach, senior woman administrator and SAAC advisor. “What the NCAA allows us to do through this process is hear the best practices and the best ideas at other campuses.” The name of the forum isn’t lost on the professionals, however, as they know how crucial it is for student-athletes to develop these skills both on and off the field. “I think it’s absolutely vital,” said Minnesota State-Moorhead Athletics Director Doug Peters. “Everything rises and falls on leadership, and if we’re going to have success, our student-athletes need to have an understanding of leadership and the roles that they play.” SAAC Interacts With Participants Student-athletes and athletics professionals participating in the forum had a chance to interact with their divisional national SAAC representatives. Members of each division’s national SAAC held hour-long discussions during which they got the student-athletes perspective on a variety of topics. Division I held discussions on Proposal No. 2010-30, which would allow unlimited text messaging between prospective student-athletes and coaches. Division II broke into round-table discussions focusing on Make-A-Wish ideas, various other community service opportunities, and web presence. A variety of hot-button topics were discussed at the Division III level, including text messaging and a hardship waiver proposal that would prohibit student-athletes from being at practice while rehabbing from injuries. The student-athletes in attendance appreciated the chance to share their opinions on a variety of topics and learn about how SAAC operates at the national level. “We didn’t really understand why they would make these rules,” said Jerry Wang, a sophomore tennis player at Lake Forest. “Having a bunch of students and coaches put their opinions out there and listening to them talk, it helped me understand why we’re voting on (various legislative proposals).” All three national SAACs will convene in Indianapolis Nov. 18-20. By Michelle Brutlag Hosick Krapf, the chair of the Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, said his gut reaction to the petition from the National College Players Association was why the SAAC was left out of the loop. That’s not necessarily because he agreed with what the petition seeks to accomplish but because the SAAC is the most credible student-athlete group in the NCAA governance structure to effect change. The student-athletes who signed the petition want a portion of NCAA television revenues to more clearly benefit student-athletes. The petition, received at the national office from student-athletes at UCLA, Purdue and Georgia Tech, requests the money be used for “education, integrity and basic protections” like preventing permanently injured players from losing their scholarships and paying for sports-related medical expenses. Krapf noted that some of the items the group requested, such as multi-year scholarships and raising limits to allow for funding beyond the amount of a full scholarship, were approved by the Division I Board of Directors last month. But beyond that, Krapf believes that a petition is not the best method for student-athletes to influence change. Instead, he believes the SAAC, which has representatives at every Division I cabinet and council, should be the group interacting with Division I decision-makers. “The NCAA has a mechanism by which the student-athletes can have a direct line of communication to those who are making these important decisions,” Krapf said. “Those decision-makers definitely seek our feedback; they want to hear from us.” Krapf said the SAAC has not discussed the substance of the petition but that the group will do so later this month as part of its review of the presidential working groups appointed after the August presidential retreat. He hopes the student-athletes signing the petition – which include several in nonrevenue sports – will consider working through SAAC to make their voices heard in the future. In the past year, the national SAAC representatives (one from every Division I conference) have made considerable effort to get feedback from their individual conferences, especially in the high-profile sports of football and men’s and women’s basketball. Issues such as examining academic issues in those sports prompted SAAC members to solicit opinions from their colleagues. However, it wasn’t always easy to get feedback from those in high-profile sports. “Perhaps that message hasn’t been communicated well enough to the general student-athlete population, so that they know we have the ability to influence these decisions,” Krapf said. Kelvin Beachum, a football student-athlete from SMU, is a member of both the NCPA and the national SAAC. He is a proponent for student-athletes making their voices heard through any means necessary, and he believes the NCPA message of improved student-athlete well-being is a good one. But he also agrees with Krapf: He thinks the SAAC could lend a more credible voice. “If you’re so passionate about these issues, why not get involved in the SAAC? I’m on board with what they (the NCPA members) are doing, but the way they went about it could have been different,” Beachum said. “The SAAC is geared toward talking directly to NCAA officials about the issues.” Krapf said he looks forward to representing the voice of all student-athletes – not just the ones with the desire to serve on SAAC. “I recognize that there are student-athletes who want to be heard,” he said. “I hope they can see what our committee can do for them.” 
Scott Krapf Chair of the Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
Kelvin Beachum Conference USA Representative
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