Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

“The mission of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare and fostering a positive student-athlete image.

2022-23 GNAC SAAC Committee | 2022 SAAC Retreat Photo Gallery | 2019 SAAC Retreat Photo Gallery | 2017 SAAC Retreat Photo Gallery | 2016 SAAC Retreat Photo Gallery | 2015 SAAC Retreat Photo Gallery | 2014-15 SAAC Retreat Review | Division II SAAC Home Page

Feature Story: SAAC Spotlight: Central Washington's Kai Brandt-Templeton

The Great Northwest Athletic Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is comprised of one representative from each institution and is assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience. The SAAC also offers input on the rules, regulations, and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAA member institution campuses.

NCAA legislation mandates that each NCAA conference has a conference SAAC in order to strengthen the communication among the campus and national committees. Through increased communication and networking, the SAACs hope to better present the views of all student-athletes.

Though the focus of campus SAACs is intended to be more parochial in nature, communication among campus, conference and national SAACs offers student-athletes the opportunity to shape the landscape of intercollegiate athletics. 

Members of the GNAC SAAC hold a retreat on an annual basis to discuss conference-wide issues in addition to performing a service project in the community where the retreat is being held. 

Functions of the campus SAACs: 

• Promote communication between athletics administration and student-athletes.
• Disseminate information.
• Provide feedback and insight into athletics department issues.
• Generate a student-athlete voice within the campus athletics department during its formulation of policies.
• Build a sense of community within the athletics program involving all athletic teams.
• Solicit student-athlete responses to proposed conference and NCAA legislation.
• Organize community service efforts.
• Create a vehicle for student-athlete representation on campus-wide committees (e.g., student government).
• Promote a positive student-athlete image on campus.

Division II SAAC

The Division II SAAC consists of one student-athlete representative from each of the Division II multi-sport voting conferences, one student-athlete representative of Division II independent institutions, and two student-athlete at-large positions.

The Division II SAAC affects the legislative process via an annual summit held each July with the Division II Management Council, during which members of the SAAC have an opportunity to interact with members of the Management Council on proposed NCAA legislation and current Division II issues. Also, committee members participate in the NCAA Convention each January where they express the student-athlete voice on collective concerns regarding proposed Division II legislation.

Division II national SAAC members actively take the lead in addressing issues facing Division II student-athletes, such as the development of campus and conference SAACs, NCAA rules education, faculty/student-athlete relationships, and championship enhancements.

During the NCAA Convention, Division II SAAC members have an opportunity to speak to proposed legislation in front of the Division II membership.