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What is a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee? (SAAC)
A 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 polices that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAA member institution campuses.
Presently, there are separate national SAACs for NCAA Divisions I, II and III member institutions. NCAA legislation mandates that all member institutions have SAACs on their respective campuses, and many NCAA conferences also have established SAACs.
The information that follows will assist you in understanding how the network of SAACs, from individual campus committees to the national committees, interact and support one another to shape intercollegiate athletics policy.
History of the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
An Association-wide SAAC was adopted by legislation approved at the 1989 NCAA Convention, and was formed primarily to review and offer student-athlete input on NCAA activities and proposed legislation that affected student-athlete welfare.
The initial national committee was comprised of student-athletes from all membership divisions for the purpose of ensuring that the student-athlete voice was one that accounted for the myriad of educational and athletics experiences of both female and male student-athletes at all NCAA member institutions. In August 1997, the NCAA federated along divisional lines. The federation, or split among divisions, caused the SAAC to federate as well. Presently, there are three SAACs representing NCAA Divisions I, II and III.
Each national divisional committee is comprised of both female and male student-athletes charged with the responsibility of assisting in the formulation of NCAA legislation. This is accomplished by providing student-athlete input on issues related to student-athlete welfare that are division-specific. Federation has increased student-athlete participation in the governance process of intercollegiate athletics by increasing the number of SAAC members from the former Association-wide committee of 28 student-athletes to a sum total of 78 members serving on the national Divisions I, II, and III committees.
The input of the respective Divisions I, II and III SAACs continues to be sought by a variety of constituencies within the Association. Student-athlete committee members have the opportunity to speak with their respective NCAA Management Councils, and the Divisions II and III SAACs continue to speak to legislative issues on the NCAA Convention floor.
National SAACs (Divisions I, II and III) at a glance:
"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."
Generate a student-athlete voice within the NCAA structure.
Solicit student-athlete response to proposed NCAA legislation.
Suggest potential NCAA legislation.
Review, react and comment to the governance structure on legislation, activities and subjects of interest.
Actively participate in the administrative process of athletics programs and the NCAA.
Promote a positive student-athlete image.
Division III:
There are 24 members on the Division III SAAC, 16 of which are chosen from each of the four Division III regions across the nation, and eight student-athletes serve on the committee as at-large selections.
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 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 to determine if it will become new legislation.
Conference SAACs:
Many NCAA conferences have created conference SAACs in order to strengthen the communication connection between the campus and national committees. Through increased communication and networking, the SAACs hope to better represent the views of all student-athletes.
Campus SAACs:
Though the focus of campus SAACs is intended to be more parochial in nature, communication between campus and national SAACs offers student-athletes on individual member institution campuses the opportunity to shape the landscape of intercollegiate athletics.
Functions of campus SAACs:
Promote communication between athletics administration and student-athletes.
Disseminate information.
Provide feedback and insight into athletics department issues.
Generate a student-athlete voice within the campus athletics department formulation of policies.
Build a sense of community within the athletics program involving all athletics teams.
Solicit student-athlete responses to proposed conference and NCAA legislation.
Organize community service efforts.
Create a vehicle for student-athlete representation on campus-wide committees (e.g., student government).
Promote a positive student-athlete image on campus.
As a member of a campus SAAC, you have the opportunity to address issues affecting student-athletes at your institution; furthermore, you 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 your respective institution. 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.
