The History of the GNAC SAAC Commissioner’s Council
In April 2018, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Commissioner’s Council was formed at the direction of the GNAC President’s Council. This initiative came about in support of the recommendation from the NCAA Conference Self-Study Guide (CSSG) Committee and in concert with the strategic goals of emphasizing student-athlete experience and student-athlete success. Each GNAC member institution has the opportunity to appoint one delegate.
Each member of the council is asked to serve on a committee. The committees for the 2023-2024 academic year include the following below. Additional committees may be added at the discretion of the GNAC CC.
1. Leadership Development and Sportsmanship
2. GNAC SAAC Website and Social Media
3. NCAA Convention & Legislation
4. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
5. Physical & Mental Health Committee
The frequency and the agenda of meetings are both set by the GNAC SAAC CC members. All 16 members of the GNAC SAAC CC are offered the opportunity to attend the annual NCAA Convention without cost to them or their school. The GNAC delegate on the NCAA National SAAC is selected from the GNAC SAAC Commissioner’s Council.
The Assistant to the Commissioner for Student-Athlete Experience and Student-Athlete Success serves as an advisor and an administrative assistant to the GNAC SAAC CC as well as the liaison between the GNAC SAAC CC and both the GNAC Athletic Directors Council and the GNAC Commissioner.
The student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) is a committee of student-athletes assembled to provide insight into the student-athlete experience. SAAC also offers input on the rules, regulations, and policies that affect student-athletes lives. There is a SAAC at the institution, conference, and national levels.
School | Name | Year | Hometown | Sport |
---|---|---|---|---|
Albertus Magnus | Sharaya Keele | Junior | Adams, Mass. | Basketball |
Anna Maria | Liam Bedenkop | Junior | Marson Mills, Mass. | Lacrosse |
Anna Maria | Daniele Iaboni | Graduate | Whitby, ON | Soccer |
Colby-Sawyer | Heather Hanson | Junior | Barnstable, Mass. | Lacrosse |
Dean | Nina Medeiros | Junior | Fairhaven, Mass. | Soccer/Lacrosse |
Elms | Clement Kimani | Junior | Worcester, Mass. | Basketball |
Emmanuel | Sasha Hyacinthe | Senior | Stoughton, Mass. | Volleyball |
Johnson & Wales | Harmony Chicoose | Junior | Regina, Saskatchewan | Ice Hockey |
Lasell | Caitlyn Smith | Junior | Newington, Conn. | Field Hockey |
Mitchell | Emily Reynolds | Junior | Somers, Conn. | Softball |
New England College | Jason Mercado | Senior | Des Moines, Iowa | Golf |
Norwich | Liliana Rolfe | Senior | Plainville, Mass. | Softball |
Regis | Kristin Barrett | Senior | Plymouth, Mass. | Track & Field |
Rivier | Rachel Symmes | Junior | Chugiak, Alaska | Ice Hockey |
Saint Joseph's (Maine) | Michael Wearne | Junior | Ellington, Conn. | Baseball |
Simmons | Sydney Gonyea | Junior | Lebanon, N.H. | Field Hockey |
University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) | Janai Oliver | Junior | Hartford, Conn. | Basketball |
SAAC Websites
Albertus Magnus - https://www.albertusfalcons.com/information/SAAC/SAAC
Anna Maria - https://www.goamcats.com/SAAC/Home
Colby-Sawyer -https://www.colby-sawyerathletics.com/sports/saac?path=saac
Dean - https://deanbulldogs.com/sports/saac
Elms - https://ecblazers.com/information/SAAC/index
Emmanuel - https://www.goecsaints.com/information/saac
Johnson & Wales - https://providence.jwuathletics.com/information/SAAC/index
Lasell - https://laserpride.lasell.edu/information/saac2021
Mitchell - https://mitchellathletics.com/athletics/Student_Athlete_Advisory_Committee/SAAC_index
New England College - https://athletics.nec.edu/sports/2022/9/13/information-SAAC.aspx
Norwich - https://norwichathletics.com/sports/saac
Regis - https://www.goregispride.com/information/SAAC/SAAC_Landing
Rivier - https://www.rivierathletics.com/information/SAAC
Saint Joseph’s (Maine) - https://www.gomonks.com/athletics/S.A.A.C.
Simmons - https://simmons.prestosports.com/information/saac/index
University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) - https://www.usjbluejays.com/SAAC/SAAC_Main
Division III National SAAC Resources
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LINK: Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
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LINK: NCAA DIII SAAC Informational Guide and Best Practices
2024 NCAA Convention (Phoenix, Ariz.)
2023 GNAC SAAC Leadership Forum (Nov. 6, 2023)
GNAC SAAC at 2023 NCAA Convention
Past News Articles
- VIDEO: We are the GNAC
2022: GNAC National SAAC Rep Iaboni Named to D3 Management Council
2022: Story Sharing from Colby-Sawyer SAAC President Couper Gunn: Sexual Assault Awareness
2021: "EXTRAORDINARY YOUNG MAN:" Colby-Sawyer's Couper Gunn Up For NCAA D3 LGBTQ Student-Athlete of the Year Award
2020-21: Getting to Know Series (from 2020-21): Anna Maria's Daniele Iaboni; Dean's Zoe Coleman; Regis' Santi Novak
2019: GNAC SAAC Ties Into D3Week Celebrations with Annual Leadership Forum
2018: GNAC SAAC Hosts Special Olympics Kickball Game at Emmanuel College
2018: GNAC Hosts Annual Spring SAAC Leadership Forum for Student-Athletes
2018-19 GNAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Roster