Sunday, October 29, 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: Lisa Zelasko
Sport: Women’s Golf
School Saint Martin’s University
Year: Senior
Major: Business Administration
Hometown: Gig Harbor, Wash.

Extracurricular Activities: Golf

Why Did You Choose To Attend Saint Martin’s: I enjoy being relatively close to home, had a good relationship with the girls on the team, and liked the coaches.

What Is Your Favorite Class You Have Taken In College And Why: Labor relations because it dealt with labor law. I plan to go to law school after graduating.

Who Is Your Favorite Professor You've Had In College And What Did You Enjoy About Learning From Him Or Her: Dr. Gina Armer and Dr. Heather Grob have been two of my favorite professors because they apply class topics to real life situations, create a healthy environment for dialogue and run the class in a smooth and organized manner.

Years Involved In SAAC: 2

The Reason I Chose To Get Involved In SAAC: I wanted to help represent women's golf in the athletic department of our university, which is a relatively small team in comparison to other sports.

Most Memorable SAAC Activity: Participating in 50/50 raffle ticket sales.

If I Could Change One NCAA Rule, It Would Be: The number of team practices we are allowed off-season. Since golf is a split sport, we compete competitively in tournaments in both the fall and the spring. Not being allowed to hold as many team practices or workouts during the winter (which is considered "off-season") I feel holds back the potential improvement we could achieve as a team.

What Is The Most Important Thing You've Learned From Balancing The Demands Of Athletics And Academics: Making lists and staying organized has helped me prioritize my time.

What Does It Mean To Be A Division II Student-Athlete: A Division II student-athlete is driven by both academics and athletics equally. I have friends in Division I programs that have a sincere desire to turn professional after college and do not focus as strongly on academics. I believe Division II athletes understand the balance between academics and athletics and try to find a healthy balance between the two.

Current Mentor: Ted Naff, my swing coach.

Future Goals After School: Pursue a JD degree from Seattle University School of Law.

Biggest Obstacle Overcome During Collegiate Career: Playing very poorly in a tournament my junior year and having to mentally "bounce back" for the remaining tournaments of the season.

Best Advice I’d Give To An Incoming Freshman: To try your absolute hardest both in athletics and school. For many of us, college is the last four years of our sport we will get to play competitively. Try your hardest and do your best so you don't look back with "what-if" and "if only.”

If I Could Spend The Day With One Person (Past Or Present), Who Would It Be (And Why): Tiger Woods in the early 2000's. I think the mental toughness he displayed during the prime of his career is something that would benefit me not only in golf but in life.

Favorite Sports Team: Seattle Seahawks

Favorite Athlete: Dustin Johnson, PGA Tour Pro

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: My collegiate low round and the top-10 finish.

One Thing That People Don't Know About Me Is: I love current events and politics. I follow the news daily, constantly read online articles, blogs and watch historical documentaries.