Spark Story: A Look Back at the CAA SAAC Summit

RICHMOND, Va. – It was a weekend of idea sharing, thoughtful discussion on the student-athlete experience and community service as Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) student-athlete representatives, advisors and conference administrators gathered at league headquarters for the 2017 CAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Leadership Summit.
 
Seventeen SAAC representatives from the conference's 10 institutions assembled in Richmond, June 23-25, to be the voice of their campus SAAC and provide insight on the student-athlete experience. Elon track and field's Bryanna Hames and men's soccer's Matthew Jegier represented Phoenix student-athletes at the summit.
 
The Summit began on June 23 with a joint session with CAA Faculty Athletic Representatives (FAR). The two groups discussed several topics, most notably student-athlete time demands and overall well-being. One of the goals coming out of the meeting was to address the concerns and create best practices to assist institutions with enhancing the policies and procedures that already exist on their campuses.
 
Following the joint meeting with the FARs, members of the newly established CAA SAAC Executive Board met to discuss CAA goals and initiatives for the 2017-2018 academic year. Each member of the CAA SAAC Executive Board will serve as the chair for the following committees: Student-Athlete Well-Being Matters & Programming, Education & NCAA Matters, Conference-Wide Community Engagement and Promotion & Branding. Additionally, the Board presented ideas to the full SAAC group that will help raise awareness for multiple causes by creating an "off-the-field" competition amongst the institutions.
 
The remainder of the business meeting over two days was spent addressing issues on both the national and conference level. The student-athletes provided feedback on NCAA legislation and discussed the main topics that will be included on the agenda for the National SAAC meeting which is set for July.  The group was presented with an initial draft of the CAA's strategic plan, updates to the conference scholar-athlete awards program and a comprehensive review of the Olympic sport programs. The group participated in a lengthy discussion surrounding student-athlete experience throughout the year and at their respective championships with regard to social media efforts, branding and promotional initiatives.
 
The SAAC Leadership Summit also featured a presentation by Maya Ozery, Director of Student-Athlete Leadership and Development at the University of Richmond, on "Leading with Emotional Intelligence." The group discussed what energizes them as a leader, what makes for a good team/group experience and other areas for them to consider as a part of their emotional intelligence.
 
The group rounded out its stay in Richmond with some community service. The student-athletes created heartwarming cards and filled comfort bags for youth who suffer from cancer and will be delivered to a local hospital. The CAA SAAC representatives also filmed a public service announcement for September's National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. The CAA challenged its member institutions to work with Compliance/SAAC to create an activity day for youth in their local community to help keep kid active and prevent childhood obesity.
 
2017 CAA SAAC LEADERSHIP SUMMIT PARTICIPANTS
 
STUDENT-ATHLETES
Sarah Jane Jones, College of Charleston (Women's Tennis)
Devon Rachel, College of Charleston (Women's Volleyball)
Tory Engel, Delaware (Women's Track & Field)
Sarah Hall, Delaware (Women's Tennis)
Bryanna Hames, Elon (Women's Track & Field)
Matthew Jegier, Elon (Men's Soccer)
Michaela Transue, Hofstra (Softball)
Elijah Pemberton, Hofstra (Men's Basketball)
Alicia Cooperman, James Madison (Field Hockey)
Thomas Shores, James Madison (Men's Soccer)
Moe Holmes, UNCW (Men's Track & Field)
Anila Mehta, Northeastern (Women's Swimming & Diving)
Anthony Green, Northeastern (Men's Basketball)
Taylor Sebolao, Towson (Women's Soccer)
Tristian Howerton, Towson (Baseball)
Katie Edelblut, William & Mary (Women's Golf)
Derek Trott, William & Mary (Men's Track & Field)*
* National SAAC Representative
 
CAMPUS SAAC ADVISORS
Kate Tiller, College of Charleston
John Krimmel, Delaware
Faith Shearer, Elon
Rachelle Fabre, Hofstra
Kevin Schafer, James Madison
Shauna Baker-Karl, UNCW
Geoff Gordon, Towson
Jenaye Coleman, William & Mary
 
CAA STAFF
Joe D'Antonio, Commissioner
Jennifer Condaras, Deputy Commissioner
Donna Jones, Director of Student-Athlete Services
Jamie Corun, Assistant Commissioner