Norfolk State University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

A student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) is a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience. The SAAC also offers input on the rules, regulations and polices that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAA member institution campuses. 

Presently, there are separate national SAACs for NCAA Divisions I, II and III. NCAA legislation mandates that all member institutions have SAACs on their respective campuses. Further, NCAA legislation requires that all member conferences have SAACs. 

The Division I national SAAC consists of one student-athlete from each of the 31 Division I conferences. Members are selected by the current Division I SAAC membership from a pool of three nominees from each represented conferences. Each student-athlete serves a two-year term. 

The Division I SAAC reports directly to the Division I Management Council, and two SAAC members participate in each meeting of the Management Council as nonvoting members. It is through this representation on the Management Council and other Division I and Association–wide committees that NCAA Division I student-athletes offer input and assist in shaping the proposed legislation by which their division is governed. 

CAMPUS SAAC:
Though the focus of campus SAAC's 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.

Functions of campus SAAC: 

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 athletics teams.

Solicit student-athlete responses to proposed conference and NCAA legislation.

Organize community service efforts. For a list of community service activities that SAAC has initiated, click here or follow the "Community Service" link at the left.

Create a vehicle for student-athlete representation on campus-wide committees (e.g., student government).

Promote a positive student-athlete image on campus.

Members of campus SAAC have the opportunity to address issues affecting student-athletes at NSU, and issues within the conference (MEAC); furthermore, members have the opportunity to offer input on issues that may be national in scope. 

The campus committee is meant to serve as a local student-athlete voice in addressing issues of student-athlete well-being at its respective institutions. Campus committees can facilitate better communication among student-athletes from various athletics teams to address issues common to all. 

The campus SAAC may also serve as a conduit of communication among student-athletes, coaches and athletics administrators on issues to improve the student-athlete experience and promote growth and education through sports participation. Concerns can be voiced and solutions offered regarding any issue that may be relevant to NCAA student-athletes.
Through the grass-roots efforts of the campus SAACs communicating with the conference SAACs, and the conference SAACs communicating with the national SAAC, student-athletes have the opportunity to change the face of intercollegiate athletics.

2008-2009 NSU SAAC Officers
Cheri Hodges (Women's Track & Field) – President
Jewel White (Softball) – Vice President
Tia Miles (Women's Track & Field) – Treasurer
Brandon Hairston (Baseball) – Secretary
Shardonay Blueford (Volleyball) – Fundraising Committee Chair
Jennifer Astbury (Women’s Tennis) – Public Relations Committee Chair
Nicole Kessner (Volleyball) – Event Planning & Logistics Committee Co-Chair
Genor Dalton (Women’s Basketball) – Event Planning & Logistics Committee Co-Chair
Marlon Woods (Men’s Track & Field) – Student Involvement

2008-2009 SAAC Representatives
Shardonay Blueford, Volleyball
Nicole Kessner, Volleyball
Don Carey, Football
Dennis Brown, Football
Jewel White, Softball
Jeanette Sauceda, Softball
Antoine Perry, Men's Basketball
Corey Lyons, Men's Basketball
Genor Dalton, Women's Basketball
Danelle Tate, Women's Basketball
Tia Miles, Women's Track & Field
Cheri Hodges, Women's Track & Field
Brett Dodd, Men's Track & Field
Marlon Woods, Men's Track & Field
Christopher Joyce, Baseball
Brandon Hairston, Baseball
Antoinette Drakeford, Women's Bowling
Cathryn Myrick, Women's Bowling
Arsenio Culver, Men's Tennis
Jonathan Sessom, Men's Tennis
Jennifer Astbury, Women's Tennis
Naeemah Brooks, Women's Tennis