Monday, June 6, 2016

Part of a regular series.

Throughout the year, GNACsports.com uses this space to profile conference student-athletes who are members of their respective institutions' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). In addition to providing feedback on the student-athlete experience, conference and institutional SAAC members also offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAA member institution campuses. Click here for more information on the function of SAAC at the NCAA level.

Name: Blair Street
Sport: Track and Field
School: Montana State Billings
Year: Junior
Major: Environmental Studies
Hometown: Clyde Park, Mont.

Extracurricular activities: Volunteering for the Bureau of Land Management and riding horses for her uncle.

Why did you choose to attend Montana State Billings? Because they gave me the opportunity to continue to run and the opportunity to get a college degree I am interested in.

What is your favorite class you have taken in college and why? Environmental Impact and Policy Analysis has been my favorite course because it has been the most helpful in understanding the process of writing and planning environmental impacts on government land.

Who is your favorite professor you've had in college and what did you enjoy about learning from him or her? Dr. Thomas Nurmi has been my favorite professor because he challenges the way his students think and it helps them expand the boundaries of the way they think. He encourages thinking outside the box and is very open to creative ideas.

Years involved in SAAC: One. 

The reason I chose to get involved in SAAC: People have so much potential to make a difference, especially student-athletes. When you see something that you are concerned about and you know others are too, and you can share that with other athletes in hope to make a change or address the issue.

Most memoriable SAAC activity: The GNAC SAAC retreat in Portland, Ore., because of the other athletes you get to meet and suggest or take back their ideas to your own SAAC.

What is the most important thing you've learned from balancing the demands of athletics and academics? That sometimes you cannot do everything. And that you have to take time for yourself to make sure that you are happy.

What does it mean to be a Division II student-athlete? That I have the chance to continue what I love to do most. To continue what drives me in the rest of my life.

Current mentor(s): My coaches, Jonathan Woehl and Dave Coppock, and athletic director Krista Montaugue.

Future goals after school: Attend graduate school and pursue a degree in rangeland science and watershed management and work for the Bureau of Land Management.

Biggest obstacle overcame during collegiate career: Coming back from a five-month injury and running the same time I did before I got hurt.

Best advice I’d give to an incoming freshman: That it's all a balance and if you need help do not hesitate to ask. We as upper classmen have been in your shoes and want to make sure you have the best experience as a collegiate athlete.

If I could spend the day with one person (past or present), who would it be (and why)? Chris LeDoux, just to hear the stories he has to tell.

Favorite sports team: The Green Bay Packers, the Denver Broncos and the (Univ. of) Wyoming Cowboys.

Favorite athlete: Professional calf roper Tuf Cooper.

Most memorable sports-related moment: Breaking the school record for the 60-meter dash for indoor track. It was my first meet and it was in the trials.

One thing that people don't know about me is: I am an adrenaline junkie. If it scares most people, it probably excites me. I have always wanted to bungee jump.