Wittenberg University's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) consists of representatives from each intercollegiate team, selected by their team members. In order to be effective and successful, the SAAC must have participants who are eager and willing to be actively involved. The committee meets on a regular basis throughout the semester with the SAAC Advisor and other invited guests.
This group is a tremendous asset in terms of developing and increasing effective communication between student-athletes and administrative staff. Regular meetings feature discussions of new developments that affect student-athletes within the NCAA, NCAC, and the university. Representatives of the committee attend an annual NCAC Student-Advisory Council meeting and the NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference.
North Coast Athletic Conference SAAC
From the NCAC website:
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience and to offer input on the rules, regulations, and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAC member campuses.
The SAAC serves 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 issues relevant to NCAA student-athletes.
NCAA Division III SAAC
From the NCAA SAAC website:
The mission of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare and fostering a positive student-athlete image.”
A 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.
Presently, there are separate national SAACs for NCAA Divisions I, II and III. NCAA legislation mandates that all member institutions have SAACs on their respective campuses. Further, NCAA legislation requires that all member conferences have SAACs.
The Division III SAAC consists of one student-athlete representative from each pair of conferences represented in the Division III SAAC partnership program and at least one student-athlete from a Division III independent institution.
Two student-athletes from the committee are voting members on the Division III Management Council. In Division III, legislation is proposed to the Management Council from Division III committees, and the Management Council then has the option of forwarding the proposed legislation to the Division III Presidents Council for approval. If the legislation is approved by the Presidents Council, it is voted on annually at the NCAA Convention in January by each Division III member institution and conference to determine if it will become new legislation.
Extended Resources:
At the NCAA Division III level, the student comes first. That concept is well represented by the reliance upon the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at the school, conference and national levels.
Throughout all levels of administration, the student-athlete is relied upon to help guide his or her own athletics experience. Varsity teams elect their own representatives to the Wittenberg SAAC, which helps the university execute the most effective, enjoyable and impactful athletics program possible.