Saturday, May 27, 2017

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: Daniel Duitsman
Sport: Basketball
School: Concordia University
Year: Senior
Major: Accounting
Hometown: Portland, Ore.

Why Did You Choose To Attend Concordia? I chose Concordia at first because I got offered a scholarship, but I stayed because I loved the small class sizes and the personal relationships I was able to foster with my peers.

What Is Your Favorite Class You Have Taken In College And Why? Yoga. It challenged me more than I was expecting and I feel like I got a lot out of it, more than I was expecting to.

Who Is Your Favorite Professor You've Had In College & What Did You Enjoy About Learning From Him Or Her?: Cari Schwerd. I have had her for numerous accounting classes over the last two years. I love the way she teaches and interacts with us as her students (except the audit stuff, which I am not a huge fan of).

Years Involved In SAAC: Four

The Reason I Chose To Get Involved In SAAC: I think its a great wau to get involved with things going on around campus.

Most Memorable SAAC Activity: The Powerade Pong Tournament that we put on for the athletes.

What Is The Most Important Thing You've Learned From Balancing The Demands Of Athletics And Academics? Time budgeting. I think I have gotten better at scheduling time that I should use to finish homework, projects, meetings and the like.

What Does It Mean To Be A Division II Student-Athlete? To represent your school the best you can both on the court and off.

Future Goals After School: I want to teach and coach a high school basketball team.

Biggest Obstacle Overcame During Collegiate Career: Poor time management and the motivation to go to class during my freshman year.

Best Advice You Would Give To An Incoming Freshman: Sit in the first row on your classes. It makes it so that the professor knows your face and helps you to hold yourself accountable in terms of going to class and doing the work each day.

If You Could Spend One Day With One Person (Past or Present), Who Would It Be & Why? Aaron Burr to see why he killed Alexander Hamilton.

Favorite Sports Team: Portland Trail Blazers

Favorite Athlete: Mike Conley

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: Beating Kevin Love's high school tournament field goal percentage my senior year in high school.

One Thing That People Don't Know About Me Is: I am a huge nerd. I love the Hamilton soundtrack (I know every word) and I really hope to see the musical in person when it comes to Portland.