Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
The CHAMPS/LifeSkills Program and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee were created to support the student-athlete development initiatives of NCAA member institutions and to enhance the quality of the student-athlete experience within the context of higher education. The 2008-09 academic year is the seventh year of Barry’s CHAMPS program. Activities last year included the CHAMPS/Life Skills Competition, New Student-Athlete Seminars, Relay for Life, Special Olympics and more.
Activities that student-athletes participated in to earn points in the CHAMPS/Life Skills competition were Athletes Supporting Athletes at home athletic contests, Martin Luther King Day Challenge, National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Special Olympics, the Safe Space Holiday Party (right), Dine Like A Diplomat, Sport Psychology Sessions, Dating Awareness Seminar, Habitat for Humanity, Team Hoyt Seminar, Drug & Alcohol Seminar, Hurricane Clean-up, Run for Life, Race for the Cure, Miami Rescue Mission, Career Fair, Relay for Life, Alternative Spring Break, Thanksgiving Baskets, Clothing Drive, Sport Clinics, SAAC Meetings, Aids Seminar, Packages for the Troops, Make-A-Wish Fundraising and Take A Kid To The Game.
The New Student-Athlete Seminar topics for the Fall 2008 include Drug & Alcohol Education, Time Management Tips, Nutrition, Test Taking & Study Skills, Stress Management, and Date Rape & Drugs.
In 2007-08:
- The Bucs raised $11,500 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation
- The Bucs provided over 300 toys during a drive to benefit the Just Kids Centers.
- Other community service projects included Habitat for Humanity, Hands On Miami Beach Clean-up, Run for Life, Alonzo Morning Charities, Costa Rica Youth Center, Greater Miami Humane Society, Breast Cancer Walk, Thanksgiving Food Baskets, Gobble Wobble Walk
2006-07 highlights:
- The Bucs raised $4,100 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation
- They hosted a Christmas Party for local children who have lost loved ones to violence in conjunction with SafeSpace, Inc.
2005-06 highlights included:
- The Bucs raised $3,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation
- They were part of an HPLS effort which raised over $8,000 for cancer research at Relay For Life
- They hosted a Christmas Party for over 50 local children who have lost loved ones to violence in conjunction with SafeSpace, Inc.
- The Bucs provided a free clinic for area youth as part of National Girls & Women In Sports Day for the fourth straight year
- More than 100 Barry University student-athletes and HPLS staff served as volunteers at the Area 11 Special Olympics Summer Games
In 2004-05:
- The Bucs raised $1,700 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation
- The Athletic Department sponsored a community service event in conjunction with National Student-Athlete Day
- Representatives from the Barry SAAC attended each of the Sunshine State Conference meetings
Once again the conference is offering a grant of $250 to each member school to be used for a community service project. In recent years, member schools have completed projects with various local elementary schools, Habitat for Humanity, the Special Olympics and several other charitable organizations.
The Barry University Student- Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a committee made up of two student-athletes per varsity sport 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 the Barry University campus.
The Barry University SAAC is meant to serve as a local student-athlete voice in addressing issues of student-athlete welfare on our campus. It facilitates better communication among student-athletes from various athletics teams to address issues common to all.
The Barry University SAAC also 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 issue that may be national in scope and relevant to NCAA student-athletes.
Functions of the Barry University SAAC:
- 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
Barry University 2008-2009 SAAC Committee
| OFFICERS |
| Lauren Evans (volleyball) - President |
|
Ryan Alexander (men's soccer)- Vice President |
|
Carley Radcliff (women's soccer)- Secretary |
|
MEMBERS |
| Baseball |
|
TBA |
|
Robbie Conver |
|
Men’s Basketball |
|
Bryan Astigarraga |
|
Chad Bishop |
| Women’s Basketball |
|
TBA |
|
TBA |
|
Men’s Golf |
|
Ed Kennedy |
|
Preston Roberts |
|
Women’s Golf |
|
Anna Haglind |
| Johanna Soderstrom |
| Rowing |
| Summerlin Knipe |
|
Robin Cascioli |
| Men’s Soccer |
| Ryan Alexander |
| TBA |
| Women’s Soccer |
|
TBA |
| Elanna Brady |
|
Softball |
| Brittany Anderson |
| Shyla Rider |
|
Women’s Tennis |
|
Julie Cadet |
|
Angie Werschel |
| Men’s Tennis |
|
Jakub Fefjar |
| Andrew Sharnov |
| Volleyball |
|
Julie Priester |
| Lauren Evans |
| Athletic Training |
| Elise Carlson |
| Cheerleading |
| Miya Sumpter |
|
Mimi Whittaker |
| SAAC COMMITTEES |
|
Public Relations - CHAIR - TBA (Working with Jamie Carrig) |
|
Awards Banquet - CHAIR - Julie Priester (Working with Maryanne Giovanelli) |
|
Community Service - CHAIR - Ryan Alexander (Working with Maya Ozery) |
| Make-A-Wish - CHAIR - Shyla Rider (Working with Maya Ozery) |
|
