Kennesaw State University Athletics

Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC)
The Kennesaw State University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a student-athlete organization comprised of individuals selected by their coaches and teammates for their leadership potential.  SAAC is comprised of representatives from each intercollegiate team, as well as the Spirit Cheer and Dance teams and led by an executive committee. They serve as the main line of communication between the student-athletes and the athletic administration to provide insight on the student-athlete experience and provide input on the KSU Athletics, Atlantic Sun Conference and NCAA rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes.

The KSU SAAC also helps to design and promote programs that encourage academic achievement, social responsibility, health promotion and general awareness.  They spearhead the community service and charitable fundraising efforts of the student-athlete body and encourage the cohesion between and the support of all teams.

During the course of the 2011-12 academic year, the SAAC will have the opportunity to engage in leadership training.  KSU Athletics is partnering with the KSU academic community to develop a formal leadership program for student-athletes.  The first step in that program is to train the SAAC members in various leadership skills, so that they can serve as mentors to the incoming student-athletes in 2012-13.

National Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC)
“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 welfare and fostering a positive student-athlete image.”

Presently, there are separate national SAACs for NCAA Divisions I, II and III. NCAA legislation mandates that all member institutions have SAACs on their respective campuses. Further, NCAA legislation requires that all member conferences have SAACs.

Atlantic Sun Conference SAAC
The Atlantic Sun Conference SAAC is comprised of student-athletes from each of the member institutions.  They meet twice a year to discuss A-Sun and NCAA rules, policies and legislation, as well as student-athlete experience issues.  During the A-Sun SAAC meetings, they also share ideas between schools, engage in leadership training and participate in community service activities.


Charitable Organization Information
SAAC is taking the lead on KSU Athletics community service and charitable fundraising.  They will work with a number of charitable organizations this year.  The service and fundraising efforts will include:

The Horizon League – special needs sports league within Acworth Parks & Rec.
The Miracle League – special needs sports leagues developer
The Alexis Kaiser Foundation – supports children with Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities
KSU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for Senior Citizens
American Cancer Society
Alzheimer’s Association
Jr. Owls Reading Challenge – reading program for local elementary schools
Partner in Education – Chalker Elementary School
Special Olympics
Others to be added as the need and opportunity arises

SAAC Representatives

Officers

Lindsay Adams Sophomore, Women's Golf 2nd Year	Nicole Adams Freshman, Women's Basketball 1st Year	Rachael Albright Senior, Volleyball 2nd Year	Michael Browder Senior, Men's Tennis 1st Year
Ryan Burruss Junior, Men's Cross Country/T&F 1st Year	Jessica Butler Sophomore, Dance 1st Year	Taylor Chahoy Sophomore, Spirit Cheer 1st Year	Emily Cox Sophomore, Women's Soccer 1st Year
Markeith Cummings Junior, Men's Basketball 1st Year	Brandon Dawson Sophomore, Men's Basketball 1st Year	Ronnie Freeman Junior, Baseball 2nd Year	Sametria Gideon Junior, Women's Basketball 2nd Year
Brian Graham Senior, Men's Track and Field 1st Year	Ben Greene Junior, Men's Golf 2nd Year	Jensen Hackett Junior, Softball 2nd Year	Peyton Hart Junior, Baseball 1st Year
Amanda Henderson Sophomore, Softball 1st Year	Victoria Jackson Senior, Women's Track and Field 2nd Year	Jonathan Klotz Sophomore, Men's Golf 1st Year	Tess Lagerkvist Junior, Women's Tennis 1st Year
Minami Levonowich Freshman, Women's Golf 1st Year	Naomi Mack Senior, Women's Track and Field 1st Year	Jemir Martinez Senior, Men's Track and Field 1st Year	Sara Metroka Sophomore, Volleyball 2nd Year
Suzee Mills Junior, Women's Track and Field 1st Year	Laura Saunders Junior, Dance 1st Year	Vera Shkundina Senior, Women's Tennis 1st Year	Jewelia Strickland Sophomore, Women's Soccer 1st Year
Alex Toliver Freshman, Men's Tennis 1st Year	Michelle Vickers Junior, Spirit Cheer 1st Year

Karen Pfeifer is the newly appointed SAAC advisor. She is the Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Welfare, so she is committed to making the SAAC a very effective group to benefit and develop all aspects of the lives of student-athletes at Kennesaw State. As the SAAC advisor, she is charged with providing the opportunity for student-athletes’ voices to be heard, as well as encourage increased community service and charitable fundraising efforts. Kennesaw State Athletics believes in developing our student-athletes, not only as students and athletes, but as enthusiastic and effective members of society.




Recent and Future SAAC Service Projects

Habitat for Humanity
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation – Think Pink
Cobb/Douglas Community Services – Christmas Adopt-An-Adult
USO Operation Care Package
American Cancer Society
Miracle League of Northwest Georgia
Odyssey Peer Mentor Program
KSU Osher Institute Program for Seniors
Partner in Education – Chalker Elementary School

Links
NCAA National SAAC
Atlantic Sun SAAC
North Metro Miracle League

Photo Galleries

Horizon League Outing- 10/17/11