JACKSONVILLE, Fla., — The Atlantic Sun Conference Council of Student-Athletes (COSA) announced the officers for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year. Elected by their peers, the COSA delegates will represent the conference at both the national level as well as on their campuses.

2026-27 ASUN Council of Student-Athletes Officers
Brady Yingst, Lipscomb (Cross Country) - NCAA Division I SAAC Representative
Zach Earley, Jacksonville (Cross Country) - ASUN COSA Chair
Holland Davidson, West Florida (Women's Golf) - ASUN COSA Vice Chair
Haley Yount, Jacksonville (Volleyball) - ASUN COSA Secretary
Payton Lauer, Jacksonville (Women's Soccer) - ASUN COSA Social Media Coordinator

Formerly known as Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), COSA representatives will play an integral role in the governance structure moving forward. Two student-athletes from each institution will participate in meetings within their conference and as a collective group under the Unisun Sports umbrella. COSA designated areas of authority include Student-Athlete Wellness and Community Impact Initiatives, positioning student-athletes as leaders in shaping conference priorities related to health, well-being, engagement and service. 

"Congratulations to our elected student-athlete leadership team. As we transition to a new governance structure, the Council of Student-Athletes will—for the first time in the history of these two great conferences—act as a formal governing body with voting privileges," said Unisun Sports CEO, Jeff Bacon. "These leaders will help shape the future of both the ASUN and the UAC, and I look forward to working closely with each of them."

Lipscomb's Brady Yingst will serve as the NCAA Division l COSA Representative. Yingst is a member of the Cross Country team at Lipscomb and has been involved in the SAAC program for the last three years. 

"It has been a blessing being a part of a team that is motivated to help their student-athletes shine in all aspects of what they do," said Yingst. "I look forward to being able to help this transition by being proactive in listening to the student-athletes' voices and to be able to make decisions that will create a better future for our student-athletes."

Three members of the 2026-27 Executive Board hail from Jacksonville University, including COSA Chair, Zach Earley, Secretary, Haley Yount and Social Media Coordinator, Payton Lauer. 

Earley is a current MBA student at JU and has previously served as a SAAC representative, Vice-President and now current President for JU. The Williamsburg, Ohio native is a member of the Cross Country team as well as several on campus organizations including the Zimmerman Scholar Program, Cost Honors Program, Davis College Peer Advisor and DCOBT Deans Fellow Program. 

"I am most excited about being able to play a role in the governance of the ASUN and NCAA," said Earley. "The goal is to make the student-athlete experience exceptional."

Yount, a junior on the Dolphins' Volleyball team, will serve as the ASUN COSA Secretary. She majors in health science with a minor in biology. 

"I am very excited for this new chapter and can’t wait to be holding an officer position as secretary," said Yount. "I was a community service chair for SAAC last year. It was an amazing experience. I hope to make an even bigger impact for our student athletes and community this year."

Lauer will serve as the ASUN COSA Social Media Coordinator. Lauer is a senior on the Women's Soccer team at JU and has previously served as the Community Service and Event Coordinator Chair for JU SAAC. 

"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a member of the ASUN COSA executive board," said Lauer. "My ultimate mission is to contribute all of my efforts and ideas to enhance the student-athlete experience and grow the recognition of the ASUN conference. I am looking forward to connecting and collaborating with the other board members to accomplish our goals for this next school year." 

Holland Davidson of West Florida will serve as the ASUN COSA Vice Chair. Davidson is a member of the UWF Women's Golf Team as well as a member of UWF’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), a member and officer of the UWF Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and a sitting member of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities Hearing Board. 

"I am greatly looking forward to the opportunities within COSA to meet other student-athletes in the conference and to help cultivate a collaborative environment meant to better our schools and communities," said Davidson. " I am very excited and honored to represent UWF at this level as we begin our transition to Division I and the ASUN Conference. "

Under the new governance structure, two student-athletes will serve as voting members at the highest level of both Conference and Unisun Governance in the Management Committees and Administrative Council. This reflects a shared-governance philosophy, recognizing student-athletes as active contributors to conference leadership rather than passive recipients of policy decisions.