Friday, February 19, 2021

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.

Name: Emma Wrede
Sport: Women’s Basketball
Institution: Saint Martin’s University
Year: Junior
Major: Business Administration
Hometown: Greenwood Village, Colorado

Why Did You Choose To Attend Saint Martin’s?: I chose to attend Saint Martin’s because I wanted to play in the GNAC and I liked the feeling of being at a small school.

What Is Your Favorite Class You Have Taken And Why?: My favorite class was Business Law because it is similar to what I want to do after school.

Who Is Your Favorite Professor And What Did You Enjoy About Learning From Him Or Her?: My favorite professor is Prashant Joshi. He applies real-world concepts in his finance classes and the applications will help me in my career field.

Years Involved In SAAC: Two years.

The Reason You Chose To Get Involved In SAAC: I wanted to have a voice and help make Saint Martin’s athletics the best they can be.

Most Memorable SAAC Activity To Date: The Marty Awards.

How Do You Feel Participating In SAAC Will Help You In Life After You Graduate?: I think it will help me with leadership and being able to voice my opinions on matters that are important to me.

What Does It Mean To You To Be A Division II Student-Athlete?: It’s amazing to be a Division II student-athlete. It was always my goal to play college basketball. Being here is the ultimate prize for all of the time I spent getting here.

What Is The Most Important Thing You’ve Learned About Balancing Athletics And Academics?: Time management is huge and planning ahead is the most important thing. Building strong relationships with my professors is also important because student-athletes miss a lot of classes.

Biggest Obstacle Overcome During Your Collegiate Career: The biggest obstacle was learning how to balance school, sports and my social life.

Favorite Thing About Competing In The GNAC: The competitiveness of the league and the opportunity to travel to great places.

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: Beating Western Washington for the first time in 12 years in 2019-20.

If You Could Change One NCAA Rule, It Would Be: I would change the extensive uniform rules on what you can and can’t wear during games.

Current Mentor(s): My entire family.

Best Advice You’d Give To An Incoming Freshman: Embrace it all because it goes by so fast.

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person (Past Or Present), Who Would It Be (And Why)?: I would spend the day with my sister because we are really close and I always miss her when I am away from home.

Future Goals After Graduation: I plan to attend law school and specialize in sports and entertainment law.

Favorite Sports Team: Las Vegas Raiders.

Favorite Athlete: Sue Bird.

One Thing People Don’t Know About You Is: I want to live in Positano, Italy, at some point in my life.