The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

Purpose/Mission

The mission of GCU SAAC is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunities for all student-athletes.  Through leadership development, community service and student-athlete welfare, we will foster a positive student-athlete image on our campus and in our community.  

The goals of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee are to:

1. Encourage the involvement of student-athletes in campus and community service projects.
2. Encourage student-athletes to use their voice to share their ideas and concerns.
3. Design and implement programs which will encourage academic achievement, health promotion, social responsibility, and general awareness.
4. Foster communication between athletic administration, student-athletes, and teams.
5. Offer feedback and insight into athletic department issues.
6. Involve ALL student-athletes to develop a strong sense of community.
7. Promote a positive image of athletics on campus by generating excitement for our team and individual accomplishments.
8. Provide personal growth opportunities for student-athletes through women’s leadership skill development, and educational programming for all GCU students.
9. Maintain our positive image on campus by holding one another accountable for our actions and for upholding the Mercy Core Values.

*The overall purpose of SAAC is to enhance the total student-athlete experience.*

SAAC Executive Board

Heather Walker
President

Elizebeth O'Connell
Secretary

Adriana Correa
Committee Liaison

Nicole Fortino
Vice-President

 

Autumn Florez
Leadership Liaison

Team Representatives

Basketball

Marshawn Denny, So.

Sasha Simpson, Fr.

Allyson Buckley, So.

Katherine Gooch, So.

Lacrosse



Laura Housel, So.



Brittany King, So.


Cross-Country

Kim Galvin, Jr.



Emilia Lopez, So.


Tennis

Daisy Prendergast, Fr.

Corrine Stinemire, Sr.

Volleyball

Crystal Murdock, Jr.

Rebecca Walczak, Sr.

Softball

Chelsea Long, So. 

Mallory Kirchner, Jr.

At large

Diana Rubio, Sr.

Ashley Lobbato, Jr.



Kelsey Abelein, Fr.



Joann Zayas, So.

SAAC Advisor

Laura Liesman, Director of Athletics

 

SAAC Projects

Make-A-Wish Foundation
SAAC's goal throughout the winter and spring is to raise $1,000 towards the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Look for SAAC at upcoming home contests for your chance to donate to this great cause.

Big Brother's/Big Sister's
SAAC is currently developing a relationship with the local Big Brother's/Big Sister's foundation which gives student-athletes the opportunity to reach out to the local community while inpiring young children to achieve.  It helps to foster a positive image outside of athletics as well as creating the opportunity to build healthy, mentoring relationships with the children.

Reading in Lakewood
SAAC has developed a relationship with local Lakewood elementary schools that allows student-athletes to travel to different schools two Friday's of each month and read to all different levels of classes.  Both the younger students and the student-athletes benefit from this relationship which only gets stronger throughout the year.  This is an ongoing, annual project that SAAC has spearheaded which will continue to grow throughout the years.

 Sister Teams
Each intercollegiate sports team has its own sister team. The goal of Sister Teams is to support and encourage sponsored sports by cheer and signage. This year's sister sport teams are as follows:

Soccer- Softball
Basketball - Volleyball
Cross Country - Tennis - Lacrosse

Committees
Each SAAC member is responsible for sitting on one subcommittee which include:

Campus Community
Fundraising
Social/Team Building
Service

The purpose of each subcommittee is to create activities/events pertaining to their committee that helps to increase participation among student-athletes as well as becoming aware of the privilege we have as student-athletes to make a change in society.