Friday, November 8, 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: Taylor Shaw
Sport: Women’s Basketball
Institution: Central Washington University
Year: Senior
Major: Event Management
Hometown: Oregon City, Oregon

Why Did You Choose To Attend Central Washington?: I chose Central Washington because I could feel the great energy from everyone here. I knew that if I came here, I would make lifelong friends. I also love the community and how much support we get at all sporting events.

What Is Your Favorite Class You Have Taken And Why?: My favorite class I have taken so far was leadership development. It was fun because we got to organize and attend a lot of cool activities on campus, and each group had to do a large community service project which was an awesome experience.

Who Is Your Favorite Professor And What Did You Enjoy About Learning From Him Or Her?: Jodi Musser is my favorite professor because she has taught me a lot of valuable lessons about the real world and has prepared me for things that I’ll need to do after college.

Years Involved In SAAC: Four years.

The Reason You Chose To Get Involved In SAAC: I chose to get involved in SAAC because I love planning fun activities that help to bring student-athletes together to give them a break from their busy schedules. I also love coming up with ideas to try and make our athletic department and campus a better environment for everyone.

Most Memorable SAAC Activity To Date: We plan a lip sync competition each year and it just gets better and better every time. Last year’s lip sync was the best one so far. The teams got involved and tried hard with their costumes and dances, which was fun to watch.

How Do You Feel Participating In SAAC Will Help You In Life After You Graduate?: I think it will help me in life after I graduate because it has taught me how to lead different types of people who may have very different opinions than I do.

What Is The Most Important Thing You’ve Learned About Balancing Athletics And Academics?: The most important thing I have learned is to communicate with professors early and often.

Biggest Obstacle Overcome During Your Collegiate Career: Being away from family.

Best Advice You’d Give To An Incoming Freshman: Make friends and put yourself out there.

Favorite Thing About Competing In The GNAC: Always having tough competition.

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: Beating Seattle Pacific on ESPN3.

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person (Past Or Present), Who Would It Be (And Why)?: Will Smith because he's my all-time favorite actor and a really interesting guy.

Extracurricular Activities: Interning for our promotion team at Central Washington and helping to train young girls in basketball.

Favorite Sports Team: Portland Trail Blazers.

Favorite Athlete: Damian Lillard.

One Thing People Don’t Know About You Is: I am a huge foodie and love going out and trying new types of food.