Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Spotlight
4/6/2020 5:06:00 PM | General
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Student-athletes have a voice in the NCAA through advisory committees, known as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), at the campus, conference, and national level. Each committee is made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience and offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on campus.
At USC Upstate, SAAC is led by co-advisors Dr. Jim Griffis, the Faculty Athletics Representative and an Associate Professor of Philosophy, and Sarah Gildersleeve, the Associate A.D. for Student-Athlete Enrichment and SWA. SAAC is made up of members who are identified by their coaches as leaders of their teams. The SAAC representatives meet monthly to discuss the current trends on Upstate's campus, athletic department, and the NCAA as a whole.
"We seek to engage our student-athlete community by creating community service opportunities as well as various events that are hosted on our campus to promote the community or various organizations that we work with," said Gildersleeve. "Further and potentially most importantly, SAAC is designed to be the voice of the student-athletes at Upstate. This united voice seeks to help create and maintain a positive and engaging student-athlete experience, while also having opportunities to have their voice heard not only on Upstate's campus, but in the Big South Conference and nationally."
The purpose of SAAC at Upstate is to "serve as a liaison between student-athletes, administration, coaches, and the USC Upstate community. Members of SAAC provide important insight on the student-athlete experience. This committee meets monthly, discussing current topics of interest to Upstate student-athletes. Members enjoy the responsibility of maintaining a positive leadership role in the surrounding community by organizing and attending, events and community service projects."
Furthermore, the mission statement is "USC Upstate SAAC exists to enhance the experience of student- athletes and our Spartan community by promoting opportunities, protecting student-athlete welfare, and fostering positive student-athlete image. We use the insight of Upstate student-athletes to promote growth and education through sports participation at USC Upstate."
2019-20 Accomplishments
Though the athletic and academic year was cut short in many ways due to the coronavirus pandemic, SAAC still made an impact with a fulfilling year. The committee composed and distributed by-laws that included a mission statement, purpose, and the formation of four subcommittees, as well as increased meeting attendance. Gildersleeve, along with student-athletes Nevin Zink, Courtney Cranmer, and Marley DeFreitas attended the Big South Leadership Conference this past July to start the year off, and Cranmer and Jalen Pickett-Hicks later represented Upstate at the Big South Conference SAAC meetings in Charlotte.
SAAC participated in Upstate's Diversity and Inclusion Week by hosting a discussion with Dr. Al Atkins, the Chief Diversity Officer, as well as executing a diversity and inclusion social media campaign. The committee also collaborated with the group "Exercise is Medicine" to create this "Get Sparty off the Couch" video.
The committee was recognized and featured in the Big South Ninety for providing Christmas gifts for two children on the Angel Tree back in December. Over the course of the year, the team also participated in the Carolina Miracle League's Trunk or Treat, spoke to Crestview Elementary fifth graders for career day, and participated in Meeting Street Academy's Walk to School Day. Unfortunately, SAAC had many more community service opportunities planned that were canceled due to COVID-19.
Goals for 2020-21
Looking ahead to next year, SAAC will focus on community service, student-athlete experience, and engagement. Specifically, Upstate's goal is to partner with two new organizations, one per semester, in addition to those that SAAC already proudly works with. Another goal is for SAAC to host the first-ever Spartan Spirit Rally. With a rally in the fall and another in the spring, SAAC will promote the sports in action during both semesters and encourage other student-athletes as well as the Upstate community to go out and support all Spartan athletic teams. Lastly, SAAC will seek to have the highest-ever engagement from the student-athlete community through new, participation-oriented style meetings and promoting perfect attendance from all sports at the meetings.
2020-21 Leadership
The leaders for the 2020-21 school year have been selected, and SAAC will be led by women's soccer's Courtney Cranmer. Joining her on the leadership team is a trio of vice presidents including women's soccer's Logan Pace, men's track and field's Jalen Pickett-Hicks, and men's basketball's Nevin Zink.
Outgoing president and women's basketball member Rylie Parkhurst had this to say as she prepares to hand over her duties: "To me, being SAAC President means working with my fellow student- athletes, administration, and the local Spartanburg community to serve and improve the student-athlete experience at USC Upstate. It's been a pleasure working with the other student-athletes and leadership on campus as well as throughout the Big South Conference I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve as president."
"It is a great honor and privilege to be the incoming President for Upstate SAAC," said Cranmer. "I am extremely excited, coming off of such a great and positive year and seeing all of the changes and advancements we were able to accomplish within the Upstate student-athlete community. I am eager to get to work and continue the rise of our SAAC organization!"
