SAAC

Advisors

SAAC Advisor: Kulsum Khan

2022-23 Board Members

President: Sophie Bischoff
Vice President: Patrick O'Gorman
Events Coordinator: Kinako Miyake
Social Media Coordinator: Mia Wong
Secretary: Ava Hunwick 

SAAC Representatives

Equestrian: Amy Wu, Wayne Joyce
Men's Basketball: Patrick O'Gorman, Julian Stoll, Daniel Golub, Thomas Van Trier
Men's Cross Country/Track & Field: Bruce Westgate
Men's Soccer: Spencer Giuliano, Anil Pugh
Men's Tennis: Ryan Nelson
Men's Volleyball: Devaun Longley 
Women's Basketball: Kinako Miyake, Kylie Grant 
Women's Cross Country/Track & Field: Christina Sancho-Spore, Siena Sujitno
Women's Soccer: Ava Hunwick, Mia Wong, Kayla Galvan, Emma Gaspari  
Women's Tennis: Sophie Bischoff 
Women's Volleyball: Hannah Leitten, Josie Johnson, Gabby Genduso, Olivia Julich

What is SAAC?
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on their experience. The SAAC also offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAA member institution campuses.

The purpose of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is to strengthen the communication between the campus SAAC's and the National Committees to better represent the views of all student-athletes. It is to serve in an advisory capacity to the conference athletic directors, administrators and staff, regarding policies, procedures and activities that affect the conferences intercollegiate athletic teams both on the conference and national level.

History of SAAC
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 well-being. The initial national committee was comprised of student-athletes from a non-federated membership. Its purpose was to ensure that the student-athlete voice was one that accounted for the myriad of educational and athletics experiences of a diverse group of female and male student-athletes at all NCAA member institutions. In August 1997, the NCAA federated into three divisions. The federation caused the SAAC to expand to three SAACs representing NCAA Divisions I, II and III.

Each committee is comprised of a diverse group of female and male student-athletes charged with the responsibility of assisting in the review of NCAA proposed legislation and representing the voice of student-athletes in the NCAA governance structure. This is accomplished by providing student-athlete input on issues related to student-athlete well-being that are division-specific and Association-wide. (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 total of 80 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 and Presidents Councils, have representation on many Association-wide committees, and continue to speak to legislative issues on the NCAA Convention Floor.

NCAA legislation mandates that each NCAA conference has a conference SAAC in order to strengthen the communication among the campus and national committees. Through increased communication and networking, the SAACs hope to better represent the views of all student-athletes.

NCAA Mission Statement
"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 well-being and fostering a positive student-athlete image."

Pratt Institute 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 during its 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.
  • Host various events throughout the year that engage the entire Pratt community

If you have any questions, feel free to contact an advisor or member of the board.