Chico State Athletics

The 2009-10 school year was another active year for the Chico State SAAC. SAAC members created a Haunted Hall down Acker Gym prior to the Halloween Night volleyball match. Children from around the area were invited to walk down the hall and knock on the doors of the coaches offices and get a treat or two from a costumed SAAC member. The group also collected canned food during the Thanksgiving holiday for donation to the Jesus Center, offered free face painting at designated home basketball games, raised funds and purchased gifts for three children as part of the University Needy Children program, collected shampoos and soaps for the "Bubbles for Troubles" program, raised money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and finally, hosted the annual "Baller's Ball" dance that over 250 student-athletes and their dates attended.

This year SAAC is looking to continue to have a positive impact in our community while developing leadership skills and acting as role models for all of our 350+ student-athletes.  The main goal for SAAC in 2010-11 is to finish off the fundraising needed to fulfill the wish of a local child and his/her family through the Make-A-Wish program, something SAAC has been working on for close to two years.  Here are some things SAAC will be involved with this year:

• Scour and Devour 
• Face Painting at basketball games
• Canned Food Drives   
• Univ. Needy Child Program and The Giving Tree Program      
• Bubbles for Troubles      
• Make-A-Wish Foundation  
• Baller’s Ball 

SAAC Co-President Alan Campos Cross Country/Track & Field		SAAC Co-President  Michael Storer Track & Field
Baseball
Jordan Lindebaum			TBA
Basketball, Men's
Jay Flores		Rod Hawkins
Basketball, Women's
TBA		Molly Collins
Cross Country, Men's
Alan Campos			TBA
Cross Country, Women
TBA		Kara Lubieniecki
Golf, Men's
Kevin Rei		Chris Doyle
Golf, Women's
Soccer, Men's
Mike Janjigiani		Luke Palmer
Soccer, Women's
Dara Karnofsky		Kasey Wall
	Jennie Barto
Softball
TBA		TBA
Track & Field, Men's
TBA		Michael Storer
Track & Field, Women's
TBA		TBA
Volleyball
Morgan Hammerstrom		Sable Villaescusa

What is a SAAC?

A Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience and to offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes’ lives on campus.  It also provides an outlet for student-athletes from the various teams to come together and enhance the experience of being a student-athlete at Chico State.


What are the functions of the SAAC?

Though the focus of campus SAACs is intended to be more self-contained in nature, communication between our SAAC and those of other schools as well as the national SAAC, offers student-athletes the opportunity to shape the landscape of intercollegiate athletics.

Functions of campus SAACs:
•    Promote communication between athletics administration and student-athletes;
•    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 athletic 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.


Do SAACs really have any influence on NCAA legislation?

This is a key question.  While it’s nice for SAACs to organize community service events and bring all of our student-athlete’s together, the original purpose of the SAAC legislation adopted in 1989 was to provide student-athletes a vehicle for input on legislation that affects their welfare.  The national SAAC has made its voice heard on several issues over the past couple of years, and the membership of the NCAA has listened and responded in a positive way.


Do SAAC members ever travel to conference or national meetings?

Yes!  The SAAC President will represent the Chico State SAAC at CCAA meetings in the fall and spring.  Additionally, SAAC representatives most often are the student-athletes nominated to participate in the annual NCAA Leadership Conference that is held in different parts of the country.


What can we do at Chico State outside of providing input on NCAA legislation, etc.?

Here are just some examples of activities that our SAAC has done in the past:

Intra-department Activities
•    Fall and Spring BBQ for student-athletes and boosters.
•    Student-Athlete only dance.
•    Athletes supporting athletes.
•    Bring in guest speakers.

On Campus and in the Community:
•    Cleanup of Big Chico Creek
•    Fundraising for Make-A-Wish Foundation
•    Fundraising for Sunshine Kids Club
•    Adopting a family through the University Needy Family Program
•    Canned Food Drive