Perspectives: The Horizon League SAAC Meetings

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Horizon League Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) held its annual meeting in Indianapolis near the end of July and the gathering had a “special” feel to it.

Sixteen Horizon League Student-Athletes, SAAC advisor Chris Grant (Wright State), and several league office staff members who participated in this year’s meeting had the opportunity to experience first-hand the HL SAAC’s partnership with Special Olympics.

“Special Olympics is a sports organization – so we really value opportunities to partner with people who have a background and expertise in sports.  It makes working with the Horizon League a perfect fit on a number of levels” said Michael Furnish, President of Special Olympics Indiana.

Community outreach is one of the many areas our student-athletes excel in and pride themselves on and last year SAAC decided to partner with Special Olympics.  On every campus, the student-athletes’ goal is to actively support and be involved with Special Olympics each year.

This past year, fund-raising “polar plunges” were held both at Butler and Valparaiso to benefit Special Olympics.

“As we’ve had conversations with the Horizon League and other NCAA-related organizations, we’ve been pleasantly surprised at how many schools have existing relationship with Special Olympics,” Furnish said. “I’m confident that as we bring focus to this partnership there will be many great outcomes for our athletes including better competition opportunities, better coaches, more funding, and most importantly more respect for our athletes.”

At the July SAAC meeting, Horizon League student-athletes went bowling with twenty Special Olympic athletes.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to have the chance to meet and hang out with the athletes,” said Youngstown State basketball player Macey Nortey, current Horizon League SAAC president. “They were very passionate about bowling, just like we are in our different sports.  We felt like it was a great event and we look forward to another activity next year.”

Returning to their campuses, SAAC student-athletes will lead the effort to engage and work with Special Olympics throughout the year.

At the summer meeting, Horizon League student-athletes also had the opportunity to network and to discuss issues challenging college athletes.  Their conference also included breakout sessions with professionals from the community and the NCAA that highlighted interviewing techniques, financial planning, networking strategies, and social media principles.

Horizon League Student-Athletes who attended the 2011 SAAC meeting included: Clare Cornelius (Butler/Golf), Griffin Richeson(Butler/Baseball), Nicole Janek (Cleveland State/Tennis), Kelly Zaleski (Cleveland State/Cross Country), Mike Chiandussi (Detroit/Soccer), Ray McCallum (Detroit/ Basketball),  Ben Averkamp (Loyola/Basketball), Alex Hallam (Green Bay/Swimming & Diving), Moriba Diallo (UIC/Soccer), Lonnie Boga (Milwaukee/Basketball), Mary Beth O’Brien (Milwaukee/Volleyball), Alex Lagesse (Valparaiso/Softball), Nick Fagan (Valparaiso/Cross Country), Jason Bruns (Wright State/Cross Country), Cassandra Lloyd (Wright State/Track & Field), Macey Nortey (Youngstown State/Basketball).

Horizon League SAAC members unable to attend the meeting included: Nate Kirk (UIC/Tennis), Lauren Arceneaux (Loyola/Softball), Amy Burback (Green Bay/Swimming & Diving), Kelsey Kempton (Youngstown State/Soccer).