What is a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee?

A student-athlete advisory committee, also known as S.A.A.C, is a committee made up of student-athletes. It is assembled to provide insight on student-athlete experiences and to offer input on the rules, regulations, and polices that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAA member institution campuses.

Presently, there are separate national S.A.A.C's for NCAA Divisions I, II and III member institutions. NCAA legislation mandates that all member institutions have S.A.A.C's on their respective campuses, and many NCAA conferences also have established S.A.A.C's.

The following information will assist you in understanding the network of S.A.A.C's, from individual campus committees to the national committees, interacting and supporting one another to shape intercollegiate athletic policies.

History of the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

S.A.A.C was adopted by legislation and approved at the 1989 NCAA Convention. It was formed primarily to review and offer student-athlete's input on NCAA activities and proposed legislation that affected student-athlete's welfare.

The initial national committee was comprised of student-athlete's from all membership divisions for the purpose of ensuring that the student-athlete voice was one that accounted for the myriad of educational and athletic experiences of both male and female student-athlete's at all NCAA member institutions. In August 1997, the NCAA federated along divisional lines. The federation, or split among divisions, caused S.A.A.C to federate as well. Presently, there are three S.A.A.Cs representing NCAA Divisions I, II and III.

Each national divisional committee is comprised of both male and female student-athletes charged with the responsibility of assisting in the formulation of NCAA legislation. This is accomplished by providing student-athlete's input on issues related to student-athlete's welfare that are division-specific. Federation has increased student-athlete's participation in the governance process of intercollegiate athletics by increasing the number of S.A.A.C members from the former Association-wide committee of 28 student-athletes to a total of 78 members serving on the national Divisions I, II, and III committees.

The input of the respective Divisions I, II and III S.A.A.C's 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 S.A.A.C's continue to speak to legislative issues on the NCAA Convention floor.

National S.A.A.C's (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.
• Suggest potential NCAA legislation.
• 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.