Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
2025-26 SAAC Executive Board
President - Lindsey Mauppin
Vice President - Mia Little
Secretary - Brooklyn Charnock
Treasurer - Ryan Dembroski
Social Media Chair - Jolee McIntyre
2025-26 SAAC Members
Baseball: Ethan Nowell, Holden Conner, Keith Cook
Mens Basketball: Jaden Miller, Mark Rucha, Tyler Raney
Womens Basketball: Claira Dannefer, Makenzy Herman
Cheer: Aidyn Neitzler, Julia Duran
Football: Kevin Gooch, Reece Conner, Roman Parham, Yisrael Stephens, JaQuarion Turner, William Thompson
Mens Golf: Aiden Morrison, Conner Compton
Womens Golf: Addison Furtick, Paola Gutierrez
Power Lifting: Aden Reeves, Amree Wingfield
Soccer: Brooklyn Ellis, Makaiah Carlson, Reece Roberson
Softball: Addie Cox, Amera Garner, Carsyn Cox, Hannah Whitaker, Rylynn Truett, Shayne Roberts
Track: Aiden Sager, Carli Leforce
Volleyball: Skylar Lambert
Mens XC: Brayden Hill, Colin Pogue, Huston Holder
Womens XC: Emily Barbosa, Stephanie Ojo
Mission Statement
The mission of East Central University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare, and fostering a positive student-athlete image.
Purpose
•    Promote communication between Athletics administration and student-athletes
•    Disseminate information
•    Provide feedback and insight into Department of Athletics issues
•    Generate a student-athlete voice regarding formulation of athletic policies
•    Build community within Tiger Athletics involving all athletic teams
•    Solicit student-athlete responses to proposed NCAA legislation
•    Organize community service efforts
•    Create a vehicle for student-athlete representation on campus-wide committees (e.g., student government)
•    Promote a positive student-athlete image on campus
Composition
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee membership shall include:
•    Two student-athletes from each Varsity sport.
•    Assistant AD for Compliance/Academics (ex. Officio – primary liaison)
•    Director of Athletics (ex. Officio)
•    Senior Woman Administrator (ex. Officio)
•    Faculty Athletics Representative (ex. Officio)
Selection of Members
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee members are selected on an annual basis by the members of their respective teams. Coaches may recommend candidates or veto the team's selection if the coach does not feel that the selection is in the best interest of the team or in the case of an at-risk student if serving may impact negatively on the student-athlete's time.
Terms are for one academic year but individuals may serve for multiple years if re-elected. Student-athletes may not serve in the year or years following completion of eligibility. The Chair should not be a freshman.
Responsibilities of Members
•    Attend all meetings.
•    Distribute minutes to team members, discuss SAAC agendas and issues with team members and bring non-team specific issues to the attention of the SAAC.
•    Serve on SAAC subcommittees if selected
•    Serve as a positive representative of your team to the Department of Athletics, the University and the Community.
Executive Board
The SAAC members shall elect an Executive Board consisting of
•    Chair
•    Vice Chair/Chair-elect
•    Secretary/Treasurer
Responsibilities of the Executive Board
Chair
•    Presides over meetings.
•    Serves as SAAC liaison to the Department of Athletics.
•    Shall represent the SAAC at any applicable conference (LSC) or NCAA meetings.
•    Performs such duties as are incidental to the office.
•    Serves as the ECU representative at conference meetings.
Vice Chair/Chair Elect
•    Presides over meetings when the Chair is absent.
•    Exercises all the functions of the office of President in the absence of the President.
•    Performs such duties as are incidental to the office.
Secretary/Treasurer
•    Keeps and distributes written minutes of all East Central University SAAC meetings.
•    Performs such duties as are incidental to the office.
The Executive Board shall be charged with:
•    Creation of SAAC Constitution/Bylaws
•    Identification of mission, purpose, goals of SAAC
•    Creation of SAAC Subcommittees
Meetings
The SAAC meets in person once monthly during the academic year, unless otherwise indicated by schedule. The committee may also meet and communicate via email and phone if necessary between meetings. Minutes shall be distributed to each team, the Athletics Administrative Staff, and to the Faculty Athletics Representative.
