Friday, June 3, 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: Dylan Hubbs
Sport: Ice Hockey
School: Alaska Anchorage
Year: Junior
Major: Business Marketing/Management
Hometown: Calgary, Alta.

Extracurricular activities: Golf and other summer sports.

Why did you choose to attend Alaska Anchorage? I chose to attend the UAA because I felt like I should stay loyal to the first school that tried to recruit me. They showed tons of interest towards me and it has been a great fit.

What is your favorite class you have taken in college and why? Microeconomics. The professor I had made this class very interesting and easy to participate and pay attention. I learned stuff not only about economics in the world but stuff about the world as a whole.

Who is your favorite professor you've had in college and what did you enjoy about learning from him or her? Kyle Hampton. Kyle showed unreal enthusiasm in his teachings. He made his students know that he loved his job and cared about what he was teaching. He also had a great sense of humour and made going to class exciting.

Years involved in SAAC: One. 

The reason I chose to get involved in SAAC: I wanted to represent my teammates in a positive way and put forth some great ideas about how to get our student body more engaged.

If i could change one NCAA rule, it would be: International student rule about how many online classes are allowed to be taken. This should be changed because many student-athletes travel a lot and being able to take maybe three classes instead of two online could allow the students to not miss as much lectures and teachings.

What is the most important thing you've learned from balancing the demands of athletics and academics? Understanding responsibility. The balance between academics and athletics is so tough to do and most people go into this not ready. Now that I have been through my first two years, I do have a good grasp on both my roles as a student athlete. Sometimes when playing a sport, it's easy to get to get more focused on just that and push the academics to the side. Trying to stay ahead of the game is a very good technique you can learn.

What does it mean to be a Division II student-athlete? Ice Hockey at UAA is Division I, but this doesn't change the way we act or convey ourselves as student-athletes. All student athletes at our school are held at high standards in the way we act and the way we are as role models to not only our teammates and teams, but also our fellow students.

Current mentor(s): Keith Hackett, Alaska Anchorage's athletic director.

Future goals after school: I would love to take my hockey career to highest possible level I can achieve. After that, I plan to pursue a career that allows me to be who I am and the field in which Ive studied.

Biggest obstacle overcame during collegiate career: Having to balance academics and athletics while having a sibling in critical condition in the hospital back home in Canada. Having teammates and fellow student/friends to keep me entertained and positive allowed me to stay on track with my responsibilities and in good spirits while receiving news daily from my family.

Best advice I’d give to an incoming freshman: Be a good person to everyone around you and good things will happen. Don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and meet new people outside your sport.

If I could spend the day with one person (past or present), who would it be (and why)? If I could spend the day with one person, It would be one of my old roommates. This guy taught me a lot about what it means to mature into the person I am now. I have never learned so much off of one person just from being around them.

Favorite sports team: Edmonton Oilers.

Favorite athlete: Wayne Gretzky.

Most memorable sports-related moment: Accepting an athletic scholarship to a Division I hockey team.

One thing that people don't know about me is: I have three older brothers. One brother that is a paraplegic. He is a huge role model in my life and continually battles day-to-day with whatever life throws at him. He remains upbeat continually no matter how many times he gets knocked down and can light up a room no matter who's in it.