DELAND, Fla. – Thirty-six ASUN Conference student-athletes, administrators & league representatives attended the 2023 Summer Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Meetings from July 9-11 on the campus of Stetson University.
In attendance at the meetings were five of the ASUN SAAC Officers, Ashley Cozad (NCAA Division I Representative), Scott McKenzie (Chair), Katy Kost (Secretary), Kelsey Mead (Social Media Coordinator) and Eleanor King (Social Media Coordinator), who steered discussion at the meetings around the development of best practices for on-campus community service efforts specifically surrounding the 2022-23 Canned Food Drive. The group worked together to develop the focus and specific details for youth outreach events for the upcoming year.
The meetings opened on Sunday afternoon as attendees were greeted by Stetson's Senior Woman Administrator Alicia Queally. The members then reviewed the SAAC Constitution and best practices for community service initiatives. The group also recapped their 2022-23 efforts while discussing ways they could optimize their strengths.
On Monday morning, the ASUN SAAC meeting attendees met at Bill Dreggors Park to interact with children from the Blue Jay Academy. The academy is a Volusia County private school designed for students with special needs. SAAC members also listened to presentations from Corey Posey of RISE. RISE is a national nonprofit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations. Posey spoke with the group about the importance of identity. Commissioner Jeff Bacon also spoke to SAAC attendees about the future of the ASUN Conference.
On Tuesday morning, Joe Kennedy of the Team spoke to SAAC meeting attendees about their All Vote No Play initiative. The next set of ASUN SAAC Meetings will be hosted by Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., during the winter of 2024.
2023 ASUN SAAC Summer Meeting Attendees
Austin Peay – Kelsey Mead (Volleyball), Skylar Sheridan (Softball), Matthew Kilpatrick & Kristal McGreggor (Administrators)
Bellarmine – Mackenzie Conger (Swimming & Diving), Josh Meiman (Cross Country), Bash Wieland (Basketball) & Beth Bowers (Administrator)
Central Arkansas – April Conant (Volleyball), Wesley Suen (Track & Field) & Jessica Taylor (Administrator)
EKU – Bryce Travis (Baseball), Paityn Walker (Beach Volleyball) & Kirby Smith (Administrator)
FGCU – Jaci Carpenter (Beach Volleyball) & Maggie Hohne (Administrator)
Jacksonville – Katy Kost (Rowing) & Courtney Taybron (Administrator)
Kennesaw State – Megan Stoltzfus (Administrator)
Lipscomb – Cooper Hayes (Golf), Scott McKenzie (Cross Country) & Morgan Mitchell (Administrator)
North Alabama – Mackenzie Martin (Beach Volleyball), Beth Ann Tucker (Cross Country) & Brittney Garner (Administrator)
North Florida – Oscar Berry (Basketball), Ashley Cozad (Swimming & Diving), Madison Reynolds (Swimming & Diving) & Carrie Driscoll (Administrator)
Queens – Ayden Meierarend (Swimming & Diving), Josh Voelkel (Wrestling), Colleen Cannon & Brandon Johnson (Administrators)
Stetson – Eleanor King (Cross Country), Alyssa Melani (Cheerleading) & Toni Oliverio (Administrator)
ASUN – Kendrell Watkins, William Hall & Fasika Ishiyama (Administrators)