Friday, November 1, 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.
Name: Hailee Bennett
Sport: Women's Basketball
Institution: Seattle Pacific University
Year: Junior
Major: Accounting
Hometown: Kalispell, Montana
Why Did You Choose To Attend Seattle Pacific?: I chose to attend Seattle Pacific because I loved the smaller school size and I could tell that our athletic department cares about our athletes. I love my teammates and coaches and the relationships that they have with other athletes on campus. I also liked that there is a religious aspect to things because that is very important to me, and the faculty and staff go about it in a healthy manner.
What Is Your Favorite Class You Have Taken And Why?: My favorite class I have taken was Exploring and Understanding Music with Julie Sigars because she was such a passionate teacher and made the class interesting.
Who Is Your Favorite Professor And What Did You Enjoy About Learning From Him Or Her?: My favorite professor to date is Professor Jeffrey Keuss because he is one of the most passionate teachers I have ever had. He answered students’ questions as best as he could because theology is hard to understand, but I also loved that he shared his opinion and was real with us about not having all of the answers. I thought that he made a potentially boring topic interesting and fun to learn about. He was also very understanding and accommodating when we had to miss class and was supportive of our athletic careers.
Years Involved In SAAC: Two years.
The Reason You Chose To Get Involved In SAAC: I chose to get involved in SAAC because I wanted to be a leader and make a difference in any way that I could.
How Do You Feel Participating In SAAC Will Help You In Life After You Graduate?: I think it will help me make decisions with the bigger picture in mind. I also think it will help me to be more outgoing and assertive when I have things to say. I love that we have emphasized community outreach because it has given me opportunities that I can continue with after I graduate.
If You Could Change One NCAA Rule, It Would Be: I would change the rule that coaches can't give us rides.
What Does It Mean To Be A Division II Student-Athlete?: It means a lot because I know that it is a rare opportunity that I am very blessed to have. It has given me opportunities that I never would have had without basketball.
Current Mentor(s): My coaches, my Fellowship of Christian Athletes leaders, and Beth Madill, an alumna of the basketball program.
What Is The Most Important Thing You’ve Learned About Balancing Athletics And Academics?: Planning is important. If you can't plan how you are going to manage your time and execute, things will be a lot harder.
Best Advice You’d Give To An Incoming Freshman: Make friends early.
Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: Beating Alaska Anchorage on its home court in the GNAC Championships during my second season.
If You Could Spend The Day With One Person (Past Or Present), Who Would It Be (And Why)?: My grandpa on my dad's side because he was a joy to be around, play games with and play music with. I would love to spend another day with him.
Favorite Athlete: Nile Wilson.
One Thing People Don’t Know About Me Is: I was in choir all four years of high school. I love to sing but hate singing in front of crowds.