Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
LSSU SAAC Misson Statement
The Lake Superior State University Student-Athlete Advisory
Committee (SAAC) is dedicated to the athletic and academic
advancement of all student-athletes. The LSSU SAAC provides a forum
for the discussion of student-athlete concerns and a channel of
communication to administrators through which these concerns can be
heard. The LSSU SAAC will use the power of organization to promote
not only the University's athletic teams but also help promote
community relations and good sportsmanship to the college community
and the Sault Ste. Marie community in general. The SAAC creates an
environment in which all varsity sports are represented equally. It
strives for student-athlete awareness on the Lake Superior State
University campus.
What is a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee?
(SAAC)
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 information that follows will assist you in understanding how the network of SAACs, from individual campus committees to the conference and/or national committees, interact and support one another to shape intercollegiate athletics policy and enhance the student-athlete experience.
History of the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory
Committee
An Association-wide SAAC was adopted at the 1989 NCAA Convention
and was formed primarily to review and offer student-athlete input
on NCAA activities and proposed legislation that affected
student-athlete welfare.
The initial national committee was comprised of student-athletes from all membership divisions for the purpose of ensuring that the student-athlete voice was one that accounted for the myriad of educational and athletics experiences of both female and male student-athletes at all NCAA member institutions. In August 1997, the NCAA federated along divisional lines. The federation caused the SAAC to expand to three SAACs representing NCAA Divisions I, II and III.
Each national divisional committee is comprised of both female and male student-athletes charged with the responsibility of assisting in the review of NCAA proposed legislation and representing the voice of the student-athlete in the NCAA governance structure. This is accomplished by providing student-athlete input on issues related to student-athlete welfare that are division-specific. (Federation has increased student-athlete participation in the governance process of intercollegiate athletics by increasing the number of SAAC members from the former Association-wide committee of 28 student-athletes to a sum total of 79 members serving on the national Divisions I, II, and III committees).
The input of the respective Divisions I, II and III SAACs continues to be sought by a variety of constituencies within the Association. Student-athlete committee members have the opportunity to speak with their respective NCAA Management Councils, and the Divisions II and III SAACs continue to speak to legislative issues on the NCAA Convention floor.
National SAACs (Divisions I, II and III) at a
glance:
-Generate a student-athlete voice within the NCAA structure.
-Solicit student-athlete response to proposed NCAA
legislation.
-Recommend potential NCAA legislation.
-Promote a positive student-athlete image.
-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.
Mission Statement of the National SAACs
"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."

















