Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

What is SAAC?

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is an organization that serves as the student-athletes’ voice with the athletics administration and campus faculty regarding any concerns the student-athletes may have. We are a committee made up of student- athletes who provide insight on the student-athlete experience. Its primary purpose is to provide a perspective on issues that impact student-athlete welfare within the Conference and the NCAA, as a whole. The SAAC reports directly to the Big 12 Conference Joint Council (Council of Faculty Athletics Representatives, Board of Athletics Directors and Board of Senior Woman Administrators).

National SAACs (Divisions I, II, and II) at a Glance:

· Generate a student-athlete voice within the NCAA structure.

· Solicit student-athlete response to proposed NCAA legislation.

· Recommend 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.

2012-2013 Officers

President/Big 12 Chair - Yves Batoba (Football)

Vice-President – Darnell Bortz (Wrestling)

Secretary – Marissa Dalton (Equestrian)

Treasurer – Trevor Horstmann (Men’s Tennis)

Meeting Schedule

SAAC Meetings are every two weeks on Thursday nights at 7pm in the Academic Enhancement Center.

Events and Community Service

Below are links to photo albums from previous SAAC events.  Click the title of each event to view photos, where available.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters Bingo Party - February 7, 2013

SAAC partnered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Oklahoma to host a party for the little brothers and sisters and their guardians.  The party included food, endless rounds of bingo, a Valentine's Day station where the kids made cards, and many student-athletes from numerous sports.  Before each child left, the athletes gave them posters and Valentine's Day treats to take home.

2012 SAAC Halloween Mixer - October 29, 2012

OSU’s third Halloween night student-athlete mixer was a lot of fun!  There were student-athletes dressed in costumes including clowns, police officers, Dr. Seuss characters and more.  Attendees once again enjoyed Buffalo Wild Wings and lots of dancing fun in the scarily-decorated West End Zone of Boone Pickens Stadium.

March of Dimes’ March for Babies - October 6, 2012

Several OSU student-athletes participated in the March of Dimes’ March for Babies, which took place on October 6^th at Stillwater’s Boomer Lake. The event is dedicated to families who have lost babies due to premature birth. Marchers walked around the lake in remembrance of those lost as well as in celebration of those that made it.

Student-Athlete Mixer - August 27, 2012

This was the beginning of the semester Student-Athlete Mixer hosted by SAAC.  Student-athletes and coaches in all sports spent a fun-filled evening in Boone Pickens Stadium eating pizza, playing volleyball, and having water fights.

"Can Baylor" - November 6, 2010

This was a canned food drive for the United Way Harvest collection.  This year was a big improvement over last year's "Can Tech" collection.  This year, with help from OSU FCA members, we successfully raised over $1300 in donations and several pounds of canned goods.

SAAC Halloween Mixer - October 31, 2010

This was the first ever OSU Halloween night student-athlete mixer, and it was a complete success!  There were student-athletes dressed in costumes ranging from superheroes to pop singers to hillbillies to felines to MTV's "Jersey Shore" cast and more.  Attendees enjoyed Buffalo Wild Wings and lots of dancing fun amongst the Halloween skeletons in an unfinished room in the West End Zone of Boone Pickens Stadium.

Pokes 4 Katie Volleyball Tournament! - June 29, 2010

SAAC hosted a volleyball tournament and cookout that raised money for Katie Hamilton, a member of the OSU Women's Track and Field team who suffered a pulmonary embolism.  Eight teams competed in the tournament, and "Team Freeze" took home the trophy!

Visit to the West Haven Nursing Home

We visited the West Haven nursing home to spend quality time with some elderly members of the Stillwater community.

Silent Auction for Special Olympics - March 6, 2010

Before the OSU-Nebraska basketball game, we held a silent auction; all proceeds went to Special Olympics of Oklahoma.  Each team was responsible for donating items for their package to be bid on.  During the auction, student-athletes were there to take pictures and sign autographs with Cowboy and Cowgirl fans.  A mega check was presented at half-time of the game.

Angel Tree - December 3, 2009

We selected two children from a Walmart Angel tree.  With the donations collected from various OSU teams, we bought them Christmas gifts.

Thanksgiving Baskets - November 21, 2009

Each OSU team was responsible for collecting different items that a family could use to make a Thanksgiving dinner.  Coaches provided the turkeys.  The athletic administration also donated items for the families.

“Can Tech” - November 14, 2009

This was a food drive collecting canned goods for the United Way.  Before the OSU-Texas Tech football game, student-athletes went around tailgates and followed the WALK collecting donations for canned goods.

Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund

The Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund is a fund designed specifically for the direct benefit of student-athletes.  All student-athletes, regardless of scholarship level and/or nationality, are eligible to apply for funding of certain educational expenses and fees, health and safety expenses, personal or family expenses, and/or institutional academic or programming enhancements.  The guidelines and application can be found on the link below:

Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund Application

Mission Statement of the National SAACs

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