Saturday, December 30, 2017

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. Click here for more information on the function of SAAC at the NCAA level.

Name: Brendan Shaw
Sport: Men’s Soccer
School: Simon Fraser
Year: Junior
Major: Business Administration - Human Resource Management
Hometown: North Vancouver, B.C.

Why Did You Choose To Attend Simon Fraser: I chose to attend Simon Fraser so that I could be close to my family and friends without leaving the community that I grew up in. I also chose SFU to follow my soccer aspirations by playing at the top level and represent Canada at the collegiate level at the lone NCAA program in the country. My father also played on the men's soccer team at SFU many years ago, so it is cool to keep the SFU tradition in the family!

What Is Your Favorite Class You Have Taken In College And Why: Exercise: Health and Performance was a class I took in my first year at school. It was something I took an interest in early on in regards to exercise physiology. The content I learned in this class has stuck with me through the years and it has helped me with how I act in my sport as well as helping me follow a healthy lifestyle outside of sport.

Years Involved In SAAC: 1

The Reason I Chose To Get Involved In SAAC: I think by being a varsity athlete at a top university like Simon Fraser has put me in a position where I am looked up to by people in the community and school. It is my expectation to help create an environment where we can affect people in a good way, outside of our sport, and create an exciting environment for all student-athletes to make their collegiate careers a special time in their life. SAAC gives me the opportunity to make a difference with these things and make an impact.

Most Memorable SAAC Activity: Last year's SAAC "After Gala" event. It brought all SFU student-athletes together for a fun night and raised funds more Make-A-Wish BC and Yukon.

If I Could Change One NCAA Rule, It Would Be: Allowing five years of eligibility instead of four. The time goes by so quick in college and most student-athletes are not done with school or are just in their prime in their sport by the time they finish their four years of competition. Allowing another year of playing would only result in more benefit for athletes.

What Is The Most Important Thing You've Learned From Balancing The Demands Of Athletics And Academics: Don't get too high with the highs and don't get too low with the lows. College will always be up and down with the academic and athletic side of things. The most important thing I've learned is to not get too caught up and let emotions take over. Just keep at it no matter how you are doing because, in the long term, you'll look back and remember how much you enjoyed these times and succeeded in school and sport!

What Does It Mean To Be A Division II Student-Athlete: It is a huge responsibility and honor, especially for people from SFU being the only NCAA team outside of the USA. You talk to anyone in athletics at SFU and you can see right away how much it means to them. There is a strong pride and passion that we carry with being Division II student-athletes up here.

Current Mentor(s): My father is definitely my biggest mentor and helps me with whatever I do in life. His guidance and advice is something I would never question and hold above all else. His support has developed me into the person I am today.

Future Goals After School: I want to remain involved in the sport for as long as I can. I hope to coach at a high level by giving back all that I have learned in soccer over the years and hope to also get into the business world by doing something that has to do with recruitment with a big firm.

Biggest Obstacle Overcome During Collegiate Career: Time management during the season is always a challenge but expected. There is so much going on in a short period of time that I can’t afford to take time off. To remain consistent and focused on what I do and to stay on top of things.

Best Advice I’d Give To An Incoming Freshman: Enjoy the time you have here because it goes by so quick. Take everything in and make it a memorable as possible.

If I Could Spend The Day With One Person (Past Or Present), Who Would It Be (And Why): I would spend a day with Brendan Rodgers, the manager of my favorite soccer team, Celtic. Coaching is a passion of mine and to speak to him and pick at what has made him and his teams so successful over the years, as well as learning about his experiences in life, would be an amazing encounter. How he inspires and motivates on and off the field, along with his leadership qualities, are things that I take great interest in.

Favorite Sports Team: Glasgow Celtic FC

Favorite Athlete: Conor McGregor. His work ethic inspires me like no other athlete does.

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: Playing in front of a crowd of 12,000 supporters at Providence Park with the Portland Timbers PDL team in the summer of 2015. Everyone from my school was watching back home and the environment in the stadium confirmed why I wanted to do this with my life.

One Thing That People Don't Know About Me Is: I was a high-level ice hockey and box lacrosse player before I started to take soccer seriously as a sport! I am also a big fan of Gaelic football and hurling. I will watch any games I can.