STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SAAC)

Relevant Links:
• Champions of Character 
• Council for Student-Athletes

The Spartanburg Methodist Council for Student Athletes is open to all current Pioneers student-athletes. Meetings are held weekly.

MISSION

The mission of the SMC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is to support and enhance the experience of the student-athletes and provide leadership within the student-athlete population, as well as to provide opportunities within the community, protecting student-athlete welfare, and promoting a positive student-athlete image. In addition, we can represent opinions and concerns of student-athletes to athletic department administrators and voice potential NAIA legislation and policy related to the well-being of student-athletes at SMC within the NAIA. Our focus is to positively impact not just our student-athletes but also the entire student population. By providing more leadership to our peers both in and out of the athletic department and within the community, we continue to grow the Pioneer family and empower the next generation of students.

COMMITTEE GOALS

• To foster an attitude of service to fellow student-athletes and the campus community
• To promote the personal growth of student-athlete
• To encourage volunteering and community involvement
• To provide a voice for student-athletes within the athletic department and the NAIA

FUNCTIONS

• Promote communication between athletics administration and student-athletes
• Distribute 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 the proposed region and NJCAA 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

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

• Attend all SAAC meetings and related events
• Serve as a liaison between the member's respective sport to the committee and athletic department
• Serve the needs of fellow student-athletes via leadership and support
• Enable student-athletes to make meaningful contributions to the community
• Promote high achievement in academics, athletics, and personal development within society
• Promote all teams within the athletic department
• Know, understand and follow the SAAC by-laws
• Assist in the growth and development of SAAC

WHAT IS SAAC?

A student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) is a committee of student-athletes assembled to provide insight into the student-athlete experience. The SAAC also serves as a liaison between their respective teams and the Athletic Department by offering input on the rules, regulations, and policies that affect student-athletes lives on NAIA member institution campuses.

The primary purpose of the SAAC is to guide student-athletes through their college years. The SAAC is firmly dedicated to student-athletes and offers them a voice to maintain a continued representation of their specific interests. The key is to promote a positive student-athlete image on our campus.

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF SAAC?

• Create an ongoing forum for communication between student-athletes and the athletic department, and the college. Use SAAC as a method of getting athlete input on athletic and departmental issues.
• Work to increase total campus and community awareness of intercollegiate athletics.
• Involve campus and community in intercollegiate events.
• Get involved with or develop programs that allow for student-athlete outreach into the community. Involve athletes in charity or community service projects.
• Provide opportunities to increase individual athletes' personal growth and improve the athlete's overall collegiate experience.
• Build a sense of community within the athletics program involving all athletic teams.

FAN PARTICIPATION

For the events of the week, the SAAC will be encouraging fan participation and offering chances to win prizes. As athletes, we all know how much fan participation is appreciated, so the committee is dedicated to increasing fans in the stands. We will be publicizing each event of the week in hopes of informing fellow Pioneers of upcoming events.

SAAC REPRESENTATIVE'S RESPONSIBILITIES

As the voice of their respective team, representatives are encouraged to share all new developments within the SAAC with their teammates. Also, representatives should acquire feedback from their teams about issues of importance. Finally, SAAC representatives should support SAAC sponsored events and generate interest among their teammates and fellow students to support these events.

TEAM SAAC COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES

Baseball

Men's Basketball

Women's Basketball

Cross Country

Men's Golf 

Women's Golf

Men's Soccer

Women's Soccer

Softball

Volleyball