Adelphi Athletes Empowered at Recent NCAA/SAAC Events

4/25/2023 9:00:00 AM

Garden City, N.Y. - Over the weekend of April 15, several student-athletes were given an opportunity to learn and grow from several regional opportunities, in conjunction with the NCAA and the Northeast-10 Conference.

More than 150 student-athletes and administrators, which included men's basketball senior Andrew Delaney and women's tennis sophomore Sanne Selmer Gilje, attended the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Super Region Convention from April 14-16 in Pittsburgh.

The event brought participants together from the Atlantic and East regions to develop plans to better support mental health and the student-athlete voice on their campuses and in their conferences.

During the three-day convention, participants engaged with experts in leadership, mental health, social justice and the student-athlete voice. Each day included a project planning session on mental health or the student-athlete voice, culminating with project presentations on the final day. Attendees left with plans of action to bring back to their campuses.

"The DII SAAC Super Region in Pittsburgh was an awesome experience. I thought it was an amazing opportunity to connect with so many other engaging athletes from not only the NE10, but from other conference within region too. We collaborated on ideas ranging from building engagement and promoting the student-athlete voice on campus to building initiatives to address student-athlete mental health.

My favorite part was making connections and friendships with the other attendees and learning what they've been able to accomplish on their campuses as part of SAAC. It was inspiring to be around so many encouraging athletes who are committed to making the student-athlete experience the best that it can be within their schools and across Division II as a whole."

Andrew Delaney, senior, men's basketball

“Alongside building bonds and getting to know all the great people from everywhere around our Division II region, I really enjoyed the speakers we had at the convention! Learning about topics such as mental health, life after college athletics, and what makes someone a good leader was very exciting and I hope to bring some of this information back to campus for all athletes to take advantage of!”

Sanne Gilje, freshman, women's tennis

"My experience in Baltimore at the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum was truly life-changing. I seriously changed in a positive way in a matter of four days. The people I met from all three divisions across the country as well as administrators were amazing and in such a short time I was able to grow close to each of them (especially the Orange Team!).

"One of my key takeaways from the conference is that being your "true self" allows you to embody all of the aspects that make you a leader in your own unique way. Being your "true self" allows you to be vulnerable with your OWN values, habits, and strengths. Everyone is different and special in their own way and if everyone is able to be their "true self" without judgment, we can ALL lead each other with open minds.

I wish every student-athlete had the opportunity to experience a training like this and I can't wait to bring what I've learned back to Adelphi and apply it with my peers."

Matthew Price, sophomore, men's basketball

The Student-Athlete Leadership Forum is an annual leadership development offering that is designed to provide a transformative learning experience for student-athletes from across divisions and sports in the NCAA membership. Division I and II conference offices and Division III schools nominated select student-athletes to attend the forum, run by the NCAA's leadership development department.

The most recent Student-Athlete Leadership Forum brought more than 250 student-athletes, coaches and athletics administrators together for an experience attendees described as unique, transformational and empowering.

This year's Student-Athlete Leadership Forum centered on the theme "Beyond the Box." Sessions and speakers engaged attendees on the theme a few different ways, including the value of getting out of their comfort zones, learning from failure and other perspectives.

For more information and details on this year's event, click here.

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