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NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAACs)
Student-athletes have a voice in the NCAA through advisory committees 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.
Campus SAACs
Though the focus of campus SAACs is intended to be more parochial in nature, communication among campus and national SAACs offers student-athletes the opportunity to shape the landscape of intercollegiate athletics.
Functions of 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 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.
- 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 a campus SAAC have the opportunity to address issues affecting student-athletes at their institution; furthermore, members have the opportunity to offer input on issues which may be national in scope.
The campus committee is meant to serve as a local student-athlete voice in addressing issues of student-athlete welfare at their 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 campus SAACs, student-athletes have the opportunity to change the face of intercollegiate athletics.
Campus SAAC Executive Board
The NCAA recommends the creation of some type of executive board to oversee the operation of campus SAACs. Traditional board member positions include chairperson, chair-elect, secretary/treasurer and chairpersons of any standing subcommittees. All of these positions should be held by student-athletes.
Conference SAACs
Many NCAA conferences have created conference SAACs in order to strengthen the communication between the campus and national committees. Through increased communication and networking, the SAACs hope to better represent the views of all student-athletes.
Division III
There are 24 members on the Division III SAAC, 16 of which are chosen from each of the four Division III regions across the nation, and eight student-athletes serve on the committee as at-large selections.
Two student-athletes from the committee are voting members on the Division III Management Council. In Division III, legislation is proposed to the Management Council from Division III committees, and the Mangement Council then has the option of forwarding the proposed legislation to the Division III Presidents Council for approval. If the legislation is approved by the Presidents Council, it is voted on annually at the NCAA Convention in January by each Division III member institution to determine if it will become new legislation.
Division III SAAC home page
National SAACs (Divisions I, II and III)
The mission of the National Student-Athlete Advisory Committees is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare and fostering a positive student-athlete image.
Function of the national SAACs:
- Generate a student-athlete voice within the NCAA structure.
- Solicit student-athlete response to proposed NCAA legislation.
- Recommend potential NCAA legislation.
- Review, react and comment to the governance structure on legislation, activities and subjects of interest.
- Actively participate in the administrative process of athletics programs and the NCAA.
- Promote a positive student-athlete image.
