Friday, December 10, 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: Tresai McCarver
Sport: Women’s Basketball
Institution: Western Oregon University
Year: Senior
Major: Exercise Science
Hometown: Renton, Washington

Why Did You Choose To Attend WOU?: I was offered a scholarship to play basketball and it was within driving distance to home.

Who Is Your Favorite Professor?: Dr. Laura Ellingson-Sayen. I had her during the pandemic year and she was very understanding and helped her students be successful in her courses. Although I have yet to meet her in person, she seems like a well-rounded, intelligent individual.

How Many Years Have You Been Involved In SAAC?: Three.

Why Did You Choose To Get Involved With SAAC?: I’ve chosen to be actively involved in SAAC because I believe athletics needs stronger representation on our campus and in our community. I love having a voice within SAAC and being what I like to call “the organizer.” I have accepted my role and I love seeing new student-athletes genuinely want to become involved.

What Has Been The Most Memorable SAAC Activity?: Overall, our athlete welcome nights have been memorable because they are fun and inclusive for all our student-athletes. We play games with healthy competition and meet other athletes.

How Do You Feel Participating In SAAC Will Help You After You Graduate?: Ultimately, my role in SAAC will help me in any leadership position in my life. I know what I need to do to lead a group, whether that be by actions, speaking up more or listening to what others say.

What Have You Learned From Needing To Balance Athletics And Academics?: How student-athletes spend their time determines how successful they are in certain areas. We all get 24 hours a day and we individually choose how much time we allocate to our daily activities.

What Is The Biggest Obstacle You’ve Overcame During Your Collegiate Career?: Mental health challenges. I had a time of depression that I didn’t realize was depression when I was going through it.

What Does It Mean To You To Be A Division II Student-Athlete?: Being a student-athlete and playing a sport I love with minimal student debt means a lot to me and my family. This is a way to repay my mom for the countless hours and dollars she invested for me to play basketball in my youth. I’m able to honor my family’s name and show the world what McCarver’s are capable of.

What Advice Would You Have For An Incoming Freshman?: Surround yourself with like-minded people who truly care about you.

What’s Your Favorite Thing About Being Part Of The GNAC?: The level of competition.

What’s Your Favorite Sports Memory?: Our double-overtime win versus Western Washington (on January 2, 2020). I played an insane amount of minutes, tallied a career-high (of 22 points), was absolutely exhausted and fought to the finish, a videographer created a highlight reel of me, and we got the dub at home!

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person, Who Would It Be?: Stephen Curry. He is so knowledgeable and does so much for others. He has created a successful life for himself and is much more than just a basketball player.

Favorite Sports Team: Golden State Warriors

Favorite Athlete: Tresai McCarver and Stephen Curry

What’s Something People Don’t Know About You?: I won a state championship with my high school team.