Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C.)
CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS
What is a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee? (S.A.A.C)
SAAC stands for Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. We are a group of student-athletes that provide insight on the student-athlete experience and offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on campuses. Every NCAA institution has a SAAC, regardless of division.
The SAAC at Gannon provides an open line of communication between the athletes and the administration, as well as maintain an overall athletic community mindset, connecting every athletic team. We will develop our leadership skills, support student-athlete welfare, and mature into well-rounded individuals while maintaining and promoting a positive image on the Gannon University campus, in the Erie community, and on the state and national levels though community outreach and other social events.
2025-26 S.A.A.C Leadership Team
Co-Presidents:Â Francisco Palacian (Paco), Men's Water Polo &Â Zoe Gaetjens, Women's Wrestling
Make-A-Wish Chair:Â Zoe Gaetjens, Women's Wrestling
Community Service Chair:Â Morgan Sinan, Women's Soccer
Fundraising & Finance Chair:Â Emily Donahue, Women's Golf
Accountability Chair:Â Amy Poole, Women's Cross Country
Social Media Chair:Â Emma-Cait Cogan, Women's Lacrosse
History of the NCAA 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 was comprised of student-athletes from all membership divisions for the purpose of ensuring that the student-athlete voice was one that accounted for the myriad of 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.
National SAACs (Divisions I, II and III) at a glance:
-Generate a student-athlete voice within the NCAA structure
-Solicit student-athlete response to proposed NCAA legislation
-Recommend potential NCAA legislation
-Promote a positive student-athlete image
-Review, react and comment to the governance structure on legislation, activities and subjects of interest
-Actively participate in the administrative process of athletics programs and the NCAA
-Promote a positive student-athlete image
Mission Statement of the National SAACs
"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."
