Niagara's Emily Altier Appointed as a Member of the NCAA Division I SAAC
MAAC Sports
EDISON, N.J. – Niagara University’s Emily Altier has been appointed as a member of the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Altier, a swimmer for the Purple Eagles, term of service on the committee will begin July 01, 2014, and continue through July 01, 2016, when she will then be eligible to be reappointed to an additional one-year term at that time.
“I applied for this position simply because being a leader in everything I do is my goal in life every day. If I can make a difference in how someone or something reaches success, then I’m satisfied,” notes Altier. “My role is to contribute to the committee and have a voice. I wish to be a positive asset to a very important community of student-athletes.”
NCAA National SAAC Representatives serve as the student-athlete voice for each of the NCAA's member athletic conferences. Altier was selected from a pool of candidates nominated by the MAAC who were then asked to submit a written application.
“Emily constantly strives to improve herself and the people around her both vocally and by example,” notes Benjamin R. Nigro, Head Swimming and Diving coach at Niagara University. “I know she will be an exceptional representative for the Purple Eagles.”
As a member of the swimming team, Altier swam the 500 freestyle in a season best time of 5:21.66, and garnered a career-best in the 1650 freestyle in 18:14.47, while her 1000 split was also a personal best at the Zippy Invitational. She placed 14th in the 500 freestyle (5:13.26) and the 200 freestyle (1:59.18) at the 2014 MAAC Championships and placed 11th in the 1650 freestyle final (18:02.48). In the classroom, the Cicero, N.Y. native held a 3.20 grade point average and was named a member of the 2014 MAAC All-Academic Team.