Friday, June 21, 2019

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: Tresai McCarver
Sport: Women’s Basketball
School: Western Oregon University
Year: Sophomore
Major: Exercise Science
Hometown: Renton, Washington

Extra Curricular Activities: Shopping, running and other sports.

Why Did You Choose To Attend Western Oregon: They offered me the best scholarship and I loved the community and campus size. 

What Is Your Favorite Class You Have Taken In College And Why: My favorite class was public speaking because it helped me conquer my fear of speaking in front of crowds.

Who Is Your Favorite Professor You've Had In College And What Did You Enjoy About Learning From Him Or Her: Professor Emily Plec (communication studies). She came to class everyday with a positive attitude and I loved hearing her endless stories and insight.

Years Involved In SAAC: One.

The Reason You Chose To Get Involved In SAAC: To help promote athletics and advocate for women’s basketball.

If You Could Change One NCAA Rule, It Would Be: The multiple hand-check rule in basketball, because I always get called for touches on my opponent.

What Is The Most Important Thing You’ve Learned From Balancing The Demands Of Athletics And Academics: To give full focus of whatever you are doing in the moment.  My coach always says that whatever is going on in the classroom or outside of basketball, we will have time to do it later.  While we are on the court, all our energy and effort needs to be used on the court.

What Does It Mean To Be A Division II Student-Athlete: More specifically, the GNAC is a very competitive league so to be a part of this league and make a beneficial impact it requires grit and relentlessness. 

Future Goals: Travel to a third-world country to teach children about basketball.

Best Advice You Would Give To An Incoming Freshman: Stay determined and focused in everything, because at this point, it all matters and it will impact your future.

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person (Past Or Present), Who Would It Be (And Why): Steph Curry, because he is a beautiful person on and off the court. 

Favorite Sports Team: Golden State Warriors

Favorite Athlete: Stephen Curry

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: Winning the 4A Washington state basketball championship in 2017.

One Thing People Don’t Know About You: I played soccer and ran track in high school.