About SAAC
The Adelphi University Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a board made up of student-athletes who are committed to generating a voice for the student-athlete within the NCAA. One of the main purposes for SAAC is to make other student-athletes aware of proposed NCAA legislation and to recommend legislation to the NCAA regarding certain situations. SAAC is dedicated to promoting a positive student-athlete image within the athletic programs and creating the executive leaders of tomorrow.
Mission Statement
The mission of the NCAA and Adelphi University's SAAC is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare and fostering a positive student-athlete image. SAAC meetings are held on Monday evenings at 8 pm in the Campbell Lounge.
Committee Goals
- Become a mediator between student-athlete and coaches
- Create a strong bond and promote communication between student-athletes and the university
- Build a sense of community within each athletic team
- Develop true student-athlete leaders and improve his or her involvement within the community
History of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
An association-wide SAAC was adopted 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 included student-athletes from all membership divisions for the purpose of ensuring that the student-athlete voice was one that accounted for the myriad 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 caused the SAAC to expand to 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 review of NCAA proposed legislation and representing the voice of the student-athlete in the NCAA governance structure. 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 79 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.
2017-18 Executive Board
President: Libby Mercuri (Field Hockey)
Vice President: Gordon Purdie, Jr. (Men's Lacrosse)
Title IX Rep: Rebecca Gotterbarn (Bowling)
Treasurer: Lauren Sandelier (Softball)
Social Media Rep.: Mike Demarest (Baseball)
SGA/CSI Liasion: Chelsea Abreu (Women's Lacrosse)
Advisors: Gordon Purdie (Head Coach, Men's Lacrosse) and Felicia Mills (Coordinator of Athletic Administration)
