Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is made up of a designated group of student-athletes, assembled to provide insight on the entire student-athlete experience and to offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives.

2012-2013 SAAC Executive Board

Marissa Murphy
John Folk Megan Abman Elizabeth Murphy
President
Marissa Murphy
Women's
Swimming & Diving
Vice President
Cory Folk
Baseball
Community
Outreach Officer
Megan Abman
Women's Soccer
AFA Officer
Elizabeth Murphy
Women's Rowing

Purpose:

  • Act as a liaison between the university and the Buffalo community by providing information on the unique needs and accomplishments of student-athletes;
  • Recognize the student-athlete in the fields of academics and athletics;
  • Implement programs that will promote a positive image of intercollegiate athletics and the student-athlete;
  • Solicit student-athlete response to proposed NCAA legislation and review, react and comment to the governance Structure on legislation, activities and subjects of interest;
  • Serve as community ambassadors of the Division of Athletics and the University at Buffalo;
  • Actively participate in the administrative process of athletics programs and the NCAA

Committee Structure

  • At least two (2) representatives from each varsity team are to attend each meeting. 
  • Representatives must attend the university as a full-time student and be officially listed on a varsity sport squad list.
  • Head coaches and/or team members select representatives by the beginning of the fall semester. While these 2 student-athletes are the team SAAC representatives, all other student-athletes are more than welcome and encouraged to attend SAAC meetings.
  • Meetings are held once everything three weeks with additional ones when needed
  • SAAC EBoard will look to 1 SAAC representative as the point person for input on their team’s AFA. The “Spirit” SAAC representative may gain input from their team and share their responsibility, but will remain the person that the SAAC EBoard looks to for AFA input.
  • SAAC EBoard will look to 1 SAAC representative as the point person for input on their team’s Team Community Service Project(s). The “Community” SAAC representative may gain input from their team and share their responsibility, but will remain the person that the SAAC EBoard looks to for updates about the team community service project(s).

Another Volunteer Opportunity in SAAC:

  • Spirit Squad
    • The Spirit Squad is a group of athletes working to promote UB athletics and team spirit within the athletics department, as well as throughout the University. They will be responsible for assisting in promoting, organizing and carrying out game day activities, especially those associated with AFA’s. This is a volunteer position, where participation in every event is not mandatory, but encouraged. Participation can be submitted towards the Bulls Spirit Challenge. Communication will be done primarily through email.

Mission Statement of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

"The mission of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is to enhance the student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare and fostering a positive student-athlete image."

2012-2013 SAAC Team Representatives

Baseball

Dan Ginader
Ryan Goodell
Men's Cross Country

Sam Anderson
Nate Smith
Rowing

Katie Coffin
Veronika Kwinecki
Softball

Ryleigh Fitzgerald
Jessica Griffin
Men's Tennis

Damien David
Nick Sarles
Women's Track & Field

Aimee Hopkins
Tiffany Verra
Men's Basketball

Richi Sebuharara
Will Regan
Women's Cross Country

Caitlin Curry
Hilary Swartwood
Men's Soccer

Ryan Aubrey
Shane Satar
Men's Swimming & Diving

Eric Culver
Matthew Schwippert
Women's Tennis

Tami Markovic
Anamaria Candanova
Volleyball

Carissa McKenna
Liz Scott
Women's Basketball

Nicki Hopkins
Cherridy Thornton
Football

Tony Daniel
Jesse Back
Women's Soccer

Megan Giesen
Lauren Coviello
Women's Swimming & Diving

Ava Giachino
Claudia Doyle
Men's Track & Field

John Strickland
Sean Harvey
Wrestling

Jarred Lux
Tony Lock

Rules Education 2012-2013

The Office of Compliance will cover NCAA rules education at one meeting per month during the months of September through April.