MAAC SAAC Holds Spring Event at Disney
MAAC Sports
Edison, NJ - Twenty MAAC student-athletes met in Orlando, F.L., April 29-May 1, 2011 for the league’s semi-annual Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) event.
The two-day event is intended to give student-athletes an opportunity to generate a voice within the conference, encourage the promotion and enhancement of the overall conference championship experience for all sports, and to discuss issues relating to the welfare of student-athletes. Each representative was responsible for gathering feedback about issues and events on their campuses and reporting out on behalf of their institution, as well as relaying information they obtain at the meeting back to their campus SAAC.
The students arrived Friday evening and became acquainted with one another. On Saturday they enjoyed time at one of Walt Disney World’s four theme parks before heading to Epcot for a presentation by the Disney Institute: Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence. The presentation explored the strategies and tactics for delivering results through Disney’s approach to values-based leadership. Student-athletes learnt proven leadership principles for influencing significant change on their campus, within their team, and themselves as a leader.
The presentation was followed by a dinner meeting; topics discussed included community service ideas, MAAC SAAC initiatives, MAAC SAAC website, SAAC programs on individual campuses, and the Pepsi Goodworks Challenge. Saturday evening concluded with a showing of Epcot’s IllumiNations, a live pyrotechnic show that brings together the past, present and future of our planet and its colorful nations.
On Sunday morning the student-athletes arose bright and early to observe the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships operations at Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course. The students-athletes assisted in providing donuts and coffee for the spectators at the MAAC Golf Championships, while informing fans what SAAC is and its integral part in the student-athlete experience. Student-athletes also had the opportunity to learn about the elements associated with championship operations, volunteerism, and careers in sports management by MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor and Senior Associate Commissioner Barbara Church.
The event concluded on Sunday afternoon after student-athletes enjoyed the multitude of entertainment options at Walt Disney World.
All ten of the MAAC’s member institutions were be represented at the meeting, with Siena’s Katie Carew, a swimmer, serving as chair. Other student-athletes attending included Allison Braun and Aaron Hoven of Canisius College, Mary Alice Limperopulos and Brianna Dixion of Fairfield University, Christine Larkin and Kara Nowakowski of Iona College, Joshua Wiegand and Alyssa Sutherland of Loyola University Maryland, Deena Sena and Chris Tucci of Manhattan College, Leo Draham and Corielle Yarde of Marist College, Rebecca Suchy and Laura Kimoto of Niagara University, Alex Post and Briana Wallace of Rider University, Peter Jimenez and Alex Keddie of Saint Peter’s College, and Elizabeth Ives of Siena College.