Hempstead, NY - The Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) held the annual Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Leadership Summit on November 7-8 in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Rachel August of the volleyball team and Phil Giackette of the men's cross country team served as the Hofstra SAAC representatives at the summit. They were accompanied by Director of Student-Athlete Services Annie Fiorvanti, who serves as the SAAC advisor at Hofstra University.
Attendees included SAAC representatives and advisors from all 12 CAA institutions, as well as CAA Commissioner Thomas Yeager, CAA Senior Associate Commissioner/SWA Kathleen Batterson and CAA Compliance and Administration Intern M.L. Morgan.
The summit began on the campus of UNC Wilmington, as student-athletes and advisors engaged in the "Step-Up!" program, delivered by University of Virginia Life Skills Director Phil Gates and University of Virginia Assistant Director of Gordie CASE Jason Shaffer. The program focused on teaching pro-social/bystander intervention techniques to help better prepare individuals to intervene in situations that threaten someone's safety and well-being. Student-athletes were introduced to two different modules, including alcohol and relationships, and had the opportunity to practice specific techniques in a small-group setting.
On the final day, the SAAC representatives and the advisors held separate meetings to discuss hot topic issues from each of their respective campuses. The student-athletes, who met with Commissioner Yeager, also explored ideas to help enhance the student-athlete experience, particularly as a CAA student-athlete. Matt Goff, who is a James Madison football player and the National SAAC representative from the CAA, also updated the group on national issues and select legislative proposals.
Commissioner Yeager concluded the day by urging the SAAC representatives to utilize and share the information that was covered at the summit and encouraged all attendees to use each other as a resource in the future.
