Piedmont University Athletics

 

Emma Williams (Women's Soccer) President (SGA SAAC Rep)	Reagan York (Women's Basketball) Vice President	Sarah Fox (Women's Golf) Treasurer

 

Jadon Gonzales (Men's Cross Country) CCS Representative	Jocelyn Maseda (Women's Soccer) CCS Representative	Erin Donovan (Women's Golf) Secretary

 

Izzie Harden (Cycling) Communications Director	Ian Grimes (Men's Track & Field) Director of Philanthropy	Brady McGuire (Men's Lacrosse) Membership Director

 

What is SAAC?
The student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) is a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide opinion and insight specifically to the student-athlete experience at Piedmont University.  The group is considered a liaison between the athletes and the athletic administration.  Samples of concerns and comments discussed in meetings could be timing of practices, class schedules, dining hall hours and menu, transportation issues as well as facility and equipment issues.  The SAAC also offers input to the NCAA on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on all NCAA college campuses.  

Volunteerism
Nationally, SAAC members are encouraged to volunteer time and energy to many different local and national outreach programs. In the past, the NCAA DIII schools have developed a special partnership with Special Olympics.

Regionally, the USA South Athletic Conference has two SAAC initiatives.  In the Fall Semester, “Cans Across the Conference,” is a competition between all conference schools as to what school athletic program can collect the most canned items to be donated to a local recipient chosen by each college. Recipients of Piedmont University SAAC’s collective efforts in the past have included the Clarkesville Soup Kitchen and Families Helping Families. The Spring Semester initiative is “Pennies for a Purpose” with Piedmont athletic teams collecting change throughout the spring semester.  These monies have in the past been donated to Habersham Help, to assist with dog and cat transportation out of our local animal shelter.

Locally, the Piedmont SAAC has assisted with several entities including the local Cornelia Kiwanis Chapter in their “Toys for Kids” campaign each year at Christmas as well as Operation Christmas Child.  SAAC has also regularly volunteered at the local Habersham County Special Olympics and P.A.L. (Piedmont Athletic Lions) Games events in the springtime.

Our Campus
The Piedmont University SAAC meetings are held at times based on the student-athletes' class and practice schedules.  For the latest information on the timing and location of S.A.A.C. meetings, please check with your sport's representative(s). A minimum of two representatives from each sport are asked to attend the scheduled meetings to ensure proper overall representation.  All student-athletes are considered involved and invited to attend SAAC meetings at any time during the semester.  
 
Previous Examples of SAAC Involvement at Piedmont 
Click on the headlines below to see previous examples of how the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at Piedmont has been involved on campus and in the surrounding community:

January 2017 - Lions Represented at 2017 NCAA Convention Along with USA South S.A.A.C. 

October 2016 - S.A.A.C. Cancer Awareness Day Held at Volleyball Match as Part of Fall Initiatives

May 2015 - Softball Wins 1st Ever Penny Competition as Piedmont Continues Commitment to Community

December 2014 - Piedmont S.A.A.C. Participates in School-Wide Effort with Adopt-A-Child for Christmas Program

April 2014 - Piedmont Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Sponsors Campus-Wide Clean-Up Project

February 2011 - Souls 4 Soles Drive A Success As Piedmont Makes Donation To Nashville Charity