Reps from Big Sky Conference SAAC groups partook in a community service project last spring in Ogden, Utah. SAAC groups will be out in full force during Service Week.
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OGDEN, UTAH (Oct. 7, 2011) - Beginning Monday, Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) members from eight of the nine Big Sky Conference institutions will partake in a service week, as well as kick off a sixth-month food drive competition.
Student Athletic Advisory Committees are organized at each Big Sky Conference member school, and are comprised of current student-athletes. The Big Sky SAAC serves five functions: addresses conference issues affecting student-athlete welfare, provides feedback and distributes information from the national reprehensive, increases and improves student-athletes’ understanding of the legislative process, promotes student-athlete participation in the legislative process, and provides a forum for addressing student-athlete concerns.
SAAC groups from across the Big Sky will spend the week at parks, elementary schools, and boys and girls clubs with the goal of making positives impacts on their respective communities.
“As student-athletes, we are in positions to make big impacts on people and our communities,’’ said Northern Colorado volleyball player Natasha Law, who serves as the president of the Big Sky Conference SAAC. “Our hope is that we all might find a passion working with boys and girls clubs, or the other various places we’re volunteering, and make this a regular thing, not just a one-time commitment. There are so many kids who need mentors right now.’’
Eastern Washington will be at the Boys and Girls Club of Spokane, partaking in various activities. About 50 student-athletes are expected to attend.
The Idaho State reps will hold a community service event on Monday from 4-8 p.m. at Brooklyn’s playground site, a playground and activity center built for kids of all ages and activity levels, including children with special needs.
SAAC members from the University of Montana will speak at an anti-bullying rally at a Missoula elementary/middle school. The group will speak to the entire student body for roughly 25 minutes, and then break into smaller groups to discuss the bullying issue. Later in the month, UM SAAC members are planning an event at a family homeless shelter.
The Montana State SAAC group will be at the Bozeman Boys and Girls Club throughout the week. Among the events planned are packaging school supplies to be sent to local schools, and maintenance programs. Student-athletes will also work directly with the students attending the Boys and Girls Club.
Northern Arizona will participate in Red Ribbon Week. Student-athletes will be speaking at elementary schools in and around Flagstaff, encouraging kids to make smart choices regarding drugs, alcohol and staying in school. On Dec. 9, Lumberjack student-athletes will be involved in a date auction to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Sedona.
Northern Colorado SAAC members will hold their service project on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the Greeley Boys & Girls Club Pawl Unit from 6-8 p.m. A fun-filled event of basketball, relay races and soccer is planned.
Sacramento State’s student-athletes will hold their project on Monday from 2-4 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Sacramento. The SAAC members will help students with homework and partake in games and activities.
Weber State’s function is slated for Friday, Oct. 14 from 4-6 p.m., at the Boys and Girls Club in Ogden. Plans include an afternoon of bonding and relationship buildings. Wildcat student-athletes will speak about the importance of education, and the commitment it takes to be a collegiate athlete.
Monday also marks the beginning of a six-month food drive competition between the Big Sky Conference SAAC programs. The SAAC program that collects the most pounds of food will be awarded a traveling trophy. Each dollar raised will count as five pounds of food. The competition will end on April 13.
“We’re all competitive being student-athletes, and I hope this is something that everyone is really excited to participate in,’’ Law said. “There are going to be times at the end where athletes are going to push hard at the end to get a win. It’s great to see all of us compete off the court in another area, and give back to the community. We’re excited to start this project this year and we hope it continues and brings us tighter.’’