UMass Lowell Honored With NE-10 2011 Community Service AwardUMass Lowell SAAC Raises $7,100 Over 2010-11 Academic Year

June 8, 2011

UMass Lowell, through the efforts of its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, received the Northeast-10 Conference Community Service Award Tuesday night at the Conference's Annual Awards Banquet at the Omni Biltmore Hotel.

The honor marked the fourth consecutive year UMass Lowell led all NE-10 institutions in fundraising efforts. The award was accepted by junior Amy Delgado (Bridgewater, Mass.), the chair-elect of UMass Lowell's SAAC for the 2011-12 year.



UMass Lowell raised $7,100 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation by way of two major fundraising projects - the Kids Zone Activities center and Bowling for Wishes - during the 2010-11 year.

"The SAAC has really taken this on as an annual project," said Joan Lehoullier, senior associate director of athletics who oversees the SAAC and the department's community service projects.



"The fundraising efforts have really become competitive, not only among the schools in the NE-10, but the teams here at UMass Lowell. They want to maintain the ability to fund at least one wish for a child. That has become the bar."



The $7,100 amount is turned over to the NCAA, where it is dispersed into the national Make-A-Wish effort.

This email can be found on:http://www.goriverhawks.com/genrel/060811aaa.html



The Kids Zone Activities Center, stationed in the Tsongas Center lobby during UMass Lowell hockey games, raised $1,200 while the third Annual Bowling for Wishes generated more than $5,900.



The field hockey team led all River Hawk teams by raising $635 at the Bowling for Wishes event.



Last year UMass Lowell raised more than $11,300 and finished behind only Dowling College for highest amount among Division II schools. The national ranking is expected to be released later this month.

 Katie Rybakova was named to the Capital One Academic All-American women's at-large team by CoSIDA.



June 9, 2011





By Zach Mendelson, Seminoles.com

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida State women's tennis standout, senior Katie Rybakova, has been named a Third Team selection on the 2011 Capital One Academic All-American at-large team, as chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

"It's an honor to be chosen to the academic All-American team, and it's even more of an honor that I can add to the accomplishments that the team has had over the four years I've been here," said Rybakova. "Hopefully I can continue studying at FSU in the graduate program and I'm looking forward to hearing about the academic and athletic achievements that my fellow `Noles will have in the years to come."

A native of Coral Springs, Fla., Rybakova is an English education major with a 3.93 GPA. During her time at Florida State, Rybakova has made the President's List (perfect 4.0 GPA) three times in her career and the Dean's List twice. She is also a member of SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Committee). Rybakova is a three-time All-ACC Academic performer and two-time Golden Torch award winner for holding the highest GPA among FSU female athletes.

"I am so proud of Katie and the entirety of her career, not just on the court but more importantly with the magnitude of successes she experienced and earned in the academic realms of her career," said head coach Jennifer Hyde. "She set goals for herself very early on for her time at Florida State and she deserves and has earned every accolade she receives. She is a model student athlete and I could not be more proud."

Ranked as the No. 37 athlete in the country, Rybakova has been equally impressive on the court, defeating ten ranked opponents and holding a 24-16 record during the 2011 season. A four-time All-ACC performer, Rybakova finishes second in FSU history with 103 career wins in singles and holds a school record of four 20 win seasons. She also ranks fourth in FSU history with a combined 173 singles and doubles victories.

North Dakota State University student-athletes, under the leadership of the members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) made both a volunteer and financial commitment to support the North Dakota Special Olympics.

Several student-athletes joined in the activities in support of these very dedicated participants. "What better group to support who, like us, understand the long hours of training, preparing and ultimately competing. Their quest to be their best mirrors every athlete's quest at NDSU," said SAAC President Abby Plucker.

The student-athletes raised money from cookbook sales this past year and wished to share in the success of this project. Volunteerism is a pillar of the efforts of SAAC.

This Article can be found on North Dakota State University Athletics Page at:
http://www.gobison.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5900&ATCLID=205157161&db_oem_id=2400

Kansas Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Receives Division I SAAC Award of Excellence

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The NCAA announced Thursday that the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at the University of Kansas is the spring 2011 recipient of the Division I SAAC Award of Excellence. This award is intended to showcase campus SAAC’s that have made great contributions to their respective communities through service, sportsmanship, unity, leadership and/or growth.

“We take great pride in our student athlete advisory committee and this award is an indication of how hard all of our student-athletes and staff work together,” said Sheahon Zenger, Kansas Athletics Director. “They promote a positive image and work diligently in the university and community. We want our student-athletes to be leaders – now and after KU – both in competition and in life. This honor reflects our commitment and success. I also want to recognize and thank the staff that works with SAAC for their efforts.”

The NCAA presents the award to only one university per semester to recognize the most active, supportive and united SAAC in the country. This year KU SAAC went above and beyond in each of those categories by taking part in several outreach programs such as Hawks, Cops and Kids, the Character Counts program and volunteering at several Special Olympics events. Members took part in leadership and team building retreats and participated in a variety of campus organizations such as Student Senate, President’s Roundtable and the University Events Committee. All of the activities SAAC organizes and takes part in are included in consideration for the award.

“The leadership that the student-athletes at KU have shown is a true testament to the criteria set forth for the Award of Excellence,” said Scott Krapf, chair of the NCAA SAAC. “KU’s example now sets the standard for excellence with the incredible variety of community service initiatives, growth and teamwork that their committee has implemented. It is simply outstanding.”

Committees are nominated for excelling in several categories ranging from community outreach, sportsmanship initiatives and leadership. Selection for the award is based on any single category or a combination of multiple categories. The award is a chance for student-athlete peers to commend their SAAC nationally for the success they have had on their campus.

SAAC’s responsibilities at KU are to provide student-athletes the opportunity to communicate more effectively with the University of Kansas athletic administration, coaches and staff. It enables student-athletes to provide recommendations for the improvement of academic, athletic and social experiences. It also encourages community involvement through service projects and fundraisers. In addition, SAAC offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes’ lives on the University of Kansas campus.

This article was pulled from
http://www.wibw.com/sports/headlines/123054873.html

Spartan student-athletes at USC Upstate have always taken pride in their annual efforts to raise funds for cancer charities across the nation.  However, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) this past year decided that they would rather make a difference in their own local community so they could have first-hand knowledge of the impact their efforts were making.

The Upstate Department of Athletics initiated a partnership with Gibbs Cancer Center at Spartanburg Regional that would bring those fundraising efforts local.  “We were excited to get to know the people at Gibbs Cancer Center better and let them know we were working hard for their center and their patients,” says Mike Meissner, Upstate track student-athlete and SAAC vice president.  “I was more motivated in fundraising knowing that I’ll be helping someone in our local community.”

This partnership has proved fruitful for both Gibbs and the Upstate Spartans.  The department raised over $4,500 this year for the local center’s Special Needs Fund in order to assist patients who need treatment but cannot afford the costs.  “When we toured Gibbs last fall and heard from the administrators and staff that they never turn patients away, we knew that this was the place where we could make a difference” Meissner added.  Mike Kennedy, Director of Gift Planning at the Spartanburg Regional Foundation, also values the relationship.  “The student-athletes at USC Upstate are really making a difference for cancer patients in our community with this gift.  The Gibbs Cancer Center and Spartanburg Regional Foundation are very proud to be the recipient of their fundraising efforts and we look forward to our continued partnership.”

The Spartans hosted various events throughout the year to raise funds like an annual pancake breakfast at Fatz Café in Boiling Springs, a PinkZone event in conjunction with women’s basketball, and the women’s soccer team held their first annual Kickin’ It for Cancer event that contributed over $2,000 toward the cause.

As a result of their efforts, the Spartans garnered first place in the Atlantic Sun Conference SAAC fundraising competition, an accomplishment they had worked toward the past few years.  Each A-Sun institution chooses a charitable cause for the fundraising competition and the Spartans beat out Mercer University, the competition winner the previous three years, and ETSU who placed third.

“In the A-Sun we pride ourselves on ‘Building Winners for Life’ and we know our student-athletes are making a difference on their campuses and in their communities by opening up their hearts and minds while participating in these various projects,” said Atlantic Sun Senior Associate Commissioner Sherri Booker. “We are very proud of the student-athletes at USC Upstate for their efforts and congratulate them on a well deserved victory.”

On Wednesday afternoon, a check was presented to Ms. Betty Montgomery and Dr. Shelia Breitweiser at the Spartanburg Regional Foundation’s Cancer Division Board meeting.  “I couldn’t be more complimentary of our student-athletes and their efforts in serving our local community,” said USC Upstate Chancellor Dr. John Stockwell.  “They are true ambassadors of our university’s metropolitan mission and their work to support Gibbs Cancer Center at Spartanburg Regional makes our entire Spartan community proud.”

~This article is from South Carolina Up

By Katie Carew

Student-athletes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, do more than just participate in their sports. Giving back to the community is a huge priority.  The Pepsi Good Works Challenge is a competition between all ten schools in the MAAC.  When athletic teams give back to the community, they submit proof of their efforts to the MAAC to gain points for the challenge.  According to the rules, schools will earn 1 point for every hour that 1 volunteer has worked.  The winning institution at the end of the spring semester will win $1,000 from Pepsi to give to whatever charity the institution chooses.

The MAAC hopes that by creating this program more student-athletes would be more likely to give back to the community.  For some members of the MAAC, they said it’s a great way for smaller schools to be recognized in something other than athletics.  Here are some things that the MAAC institutions’ are doing: St. Peter’s University boxed food at a local food bank; Canisius College volunteered with Habitat for Humanity remodeling a house; Iona College sponsored Breast Cancer Awareness Week on their campus by selling raffles tickets and bracelets to raise money for the cause.  Also, Rider University volunteered at the Special Olympics Bowling Competition.  There are many more! If you want to check them out, go to www.maacsports.com.  So far there have been over 190 submissions from the MAAC institutions displaying good work in the community.

 At my institution, Siena College, our SAAC wanted to do something special for National Student-Athlete Day, to celebrate with all athletics teams, and the surrounding community.  We decided to host a Student-Athlete Talent Show to raise money for the Special Olympics.  Each varsity team was represented on stage throughout the night performing acts anywhere from piano playing to a glow stick light show.  Everyone had a great laugh, and we raised about $850 for the Special Olympics!  But we brought that tally up to $1,000 after Siena SAAC’s First Annual Easter Egg Hunt.  Siena SAAC invited children up to age 12 to campus for an afternoon of fun.  Children took part in the egg hunt, as well as, egg and spoon races, and other activities.  The children, parents, and student-athletes all enjoyed the afternoon together. 

It’s really important that we remember to help those around us.  The surrounding communities of our institutions give our athletics teams support.  Every now and then it’s nice to do something for those people.  And giving back to the community doesn’t have to be in the form of a check, but it can be in the form of laughter and friendship.  I hope this gives you ideas for you and your school to help give back to your community! 

Koroshetz Receives Colgate’s Most Prestigious Award May 19, 2011 By margo Leave a Comment By Gloria Nantulya, Athletic Communications Assistant

(Hamilton, NY – May 16, 2011) Former women’s soccer standout and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) vice president, Kiki Koroshetz (Norwalk, Conn.), was presented with the 1819 Award at the senior awards convocation on Saturday (May 14) morning.

The award is the most selective and prestigious the university gives to a graduating senior. President Jeffrey Herbst presented her with the award.

“Kiki’s positive energy and passion for learning was evident from the first time I met her,” stated head women’s soccer coach Kathy Brawn. “Her unassuming, selfless nature, combined with her ability to excel in all facets of life, made everyone and everything around her better. I was so genuinely pleased when Kiki decided to come to Colgate and am now so proud and happy to call her a Raider women’s soccer alum.”

The 2010 Women’s Soccer Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year was the second women’s soccer player to win the 1819 award. The first was Courtney Hostetler who won it in 2004.

Koroshetz, who had a cumulative GPA of 3.90, was an English major with a minor in psychology. She started in all 17 games for the Raiders this past season and was a solid part of the team’s defense during her time with the program.

The Connecticut native has received numerous academic and athletic awards over the years, including the Thomas M. Wilson ’67 Memorial Endowed Leadership Award for Athletics and the Lasher Prize for English from the university’s Convocation Awards Program. Koroshetz also received the Spencer Colwell ’41 Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund, was named to the 2009 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District Team, and has been a member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and the Raider Academic Honor Roll every semester since her freshman year.

Currently, Kiki is working as an assistant editor at Hyperion Publishing in New York City.

Article From:
http://madisoncountycourier.com/2011/05/19/koroshetz-receives-colgate%E2%80%99s-most-prestigious-award/

HAMPTON, Va. -- For the past two years, Hampton University’s
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the Department of
Athletics have been proud to host P.L.A.Y. (Pirates Leading Area
Youth) Day on campus. Hampton University’s student-athletes understand
that in order to compete at the collegiate level, well-trained
athletes must hold academics, as well as respect for one’s athletic
program and community, to a higher standard.

This year’s P.L.A.Y. Day was held on Friday, April 8.

P.L.A.Y. Day allows for student-athletes to interact with youth from
the community, specifically from Girls, Inc. of the Greater Peninsula
and the Boys Leadership Academy. These children are given the
opportunity to show their athletic ability, learn about different
sports, and most importantly the chance to have fun.

“P.L.A.Y. Day was a wonderful for way for the kids to engage in the
activities Hampton offered,” Tiya Ravens, program director for Girls,
inc., said. “The partnership between a university and a nonprofit
organization is very unique.”

P.L.A.Y. Day activities included bowling, golf, tennis, cheerleading,
basketball, volleyball, kickball, football, track & field and
softball.  Each child received the opportunity to participate in three
of the above activities.

 “SAAC loves to give back to the community who supports us,” Dyrri
McCain, SAAC president, said.

Written By: MEAC Media Relations         Release: 02/09/2011

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) conducted their annual two-day workshop on February 6_7, 2011 at the Sheraton Waterside Hotel in Norfolk, Virginia. SAAC representatives from all 13 MEAC institutions were in attendance.The workshop began with icebreakers and group leadership activities led by Quintin Wright, Assistant Director of Championships and Compliance and the liaison to MEAC SAAC. Their MEAC NCAA representative, Carvell Copeland (NCAT) shared his experience from the NCAA National SAAC Convention, as well as important topics that were emphasized at the convention.

Focusing on campus SAAC updates from the student athletes, leadership empowerment activities led by compliance interns Sade' Kirby and Annitra Cole, the SAAC members were able to collaborate with each other for a common goal. The activity the "Tallest Tower" focused on the importance of collaboration and communication. Assistant Director of Corporate Partnerships and Media Relations Nicole Mitchell was also on hand to direct the student athletes in a leadership activity. Mitchell implemented a leadership exercise to help the student athletes realize their own leadership potential through a game called "I AM". Each student filled out a worksheet that asked statements about themselves that helped them realize their own potential.

After a day of workshops and discussions, the MEAC SAAC traveled to Laser Tag in Virginia Beach, followed by a Super Bowl party at the new MEAC conference office.

On Monday, February 7, 2011, the workshop concluded with the MEAC SAAC establishing the MEAC SAAC agenda for the 2011-12 academic year. 

The day followed with the group participating in community service at the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia in Norfolk, by lending a hand in sorting donated food items.

The two-day workshop ended with final remarks from SAAC liaison Quintin Wright. "This MEAC SAAC conference was an opportunity for our student athletes to come out and empower themselves, and by doing so it made our in-person meeting successful and worthwhile. I expect nothing but the best for years to come."