WHAT IS SAAC?
A student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) is a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience. The SAAC offers input on the rules, regulations, and policies that affect student-athletes’ lives. There is a SAAC at the institution, conference, and national levels. Presently, there are separate national SAACs for NCAA Division I, II, and III. NCAA legislation mandates that all member institutions have SAAC on their respective campuses. Further, NCAA legislation requires that all member conferences have SAAC.
MISSION STATEMENT
- Generate a student-athlete voice within the institution.
- Generate a student-athlete voice within the conference.
- Review and respond to proposed NCAA legislation.
- Support the campus and conference community through community outreach efforts, with a primary focus on the NCAA Division III SAAC and Special Olympics partnership.
EXPECTATIONS
- At all time, SAAC members must keep their teams informed and educated about relevant issues discussed during SAAC Meetings. Must act as leaders and liaisons within their teams.
- Must adhere to deadlines when submitting and responding to all forms of correspondence from staff and other SAAC members.
- Assist in the selection and appointment of new members at the end of the academic year. The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will elect new officers to fill any vacant position if the elected officer is unable to carry out his/her obligation. The only exception applies to the office of the President, in which case the Vice President will assume the responsibility. Additionally, the President may appoint an interim secretary who will be responsible for filling the spot of the secretary is not present at a meeting.
- Attend all SAAC Meetings. Meetings will be scheduled once a month.
- Promote the athletic department of all of its various entities.
- Serve on at least one sub-committee with active involvement.
- Know, understand, and follow the SAAC by-laws.
CODE RED
CODE RED is a SAAC initiative designed to increase intradepartmental support for University of Lynchburg’s athletic programs. Each year, Lynchburg programs get to choose one home event to designate as its CODE RED contest . For that event, all other athletic teams are strongly encouraged to attend in full force to show support for their fellow athletes. CODE RED events allow the entire Lynchburg athletic department to come together and provide an enthusiastic environment for one specific team; the spotlight is on them. Some teams designate their CODE RED to be against a competitive Old Dominion Athletic Conference rival, a highly ranked NCAA team, or a game they might need a little extra support from the crowd.
IMPORTANT LINKS
LYNCHBURG SAAC REPRESENTATIVES
| Characteristics & Qualities |
Expectations |
| Rising Sophomore, Junior or Senior (2027-2029 Grad Yrs) |
Attends monthly SAAC meetings & ENGAGES IN DISCUSSIONS |
| Viewed/respected as a positive LEADER on team & campus |
Actively participates in SAAC meetings - bringing new ideas and insights to the group |
| Understands pulse of team & campus |
Communicates information from meetings to teammates & coaches |
| Interested in furthering student-athlete experience on & off of the field |
Brings opinions, thoughts, and ideas of teammates to SAAC Meetings |
| Brings new and creative ideas to the table |
Participates in SAAC events and encourages teammate participation as well |
2026-27 Officers
 |
|
|
Carter Hudson
Cross Country/Track & Field
President |
TBA
Vice President for Campus Connection |
TBA
Vice President for Recruitment & Involvement |
 |
 |
 |
Kaitlyn Ruiz
Track & Field
Community Service Chair |
Harper Dodd
Women's Tennis
Community Service Chair |
Sophia DaCruz
Women's Swimming
Social Media Chair |
 |
|
|
Natalie Poole
Women's Basketball
Social Media Chair |
|
|
2026-27 SAAC Representatives
| Baseball |
Conner Moore
Gavin Angelillo
|
| Men's Basketball |
Michael Gray
Andrew DaCosta
|
| Women's Basketball |
Taylor Brown
Natalie Poole
|
| Beach Volleyball |
Lydia Nelson
Deanna Disinger |
| Men's Cross Country |
Ryan Warner
Carter Hudson
|
| Women's Cross Country |
Taylor Hill
Alana Palmaioli
|
| Equestrian |
Ella Neyland
Ruby Suess
|
| Field Hockey |
Avery Watkins
Megan Mitchell
|
| Men's Golf |
Dylan Olinger
Cooper Mizelle
|
| Women's Golf |
Grace Saunders
Emily Gerrets
|
| Men's Lacrosse |
Liam Crawford
Liam Haley
Ryan Hildebrand
|
| Women's Lacrosse |
Juli Redding
Isabella Vogel
|
| Men's Soccer |
Matthew Viscuso
Evan Pask
|
| Women's Soccer |
Morgan Oliver
Ella Fulmer
|
| Softball |
Kate Charleton
Bryanna "Bo" Orange
|
| Men's Swimming |
Isaac Semones
Ryan Bambrick
|
| Women's Swimming |
Katherine Kovarik
Sophia DaCruz
|
| Men's Tennis |
Sebastian Sierra
Oliver Lizano
|
| Women's Tennis |
Harper Dodd
Kayla Kosiorek
|
| Men's Track & Field |
Noah Glenn
Cameron Sidebotham
|
| Women's Track & Field |
Hannah Schminke
Kaitlyn Ruiz
|
| Women's Volleyball |
Tori Williamson
|
| Wrestling |
Cash Wheat
Xander McAnaw |
--LYN--
