The Voice of Beaver Student Athletes
April 23, 2005
Corvallis, Ore. - The Student-Athlete Advisory Board (SAAC) is the place where student-athletes are allowed to express their ideas and have a voice. Each intercollegiate athletic team at Oregon State University has two individuals represent their team at a meeting every Wednesday night. These individuals are the voice of each team at OSU.
The meetings usually run about an hour and the athletes deal with issues that are common among the teams -- like improving workout conditions, as well as workout facilities and other issues.
"SAAC lets me voice my opinion, it lets me have a say" said junior Monika Miroslaw, a respresentative from the swim team.
SAAC is a good opportunity for the athletes because it lets them deal with issues first hand. They have a lot power to make a difference in the way that things are done. If there is a problem within a certain team, that team can bring up the problem with other SAAC representatives, and they can talk about the problem as a unit.
Marianne Vydra, senior woman administrator at Oregon State, is the person who oversees the SAAC committee.
"A big part of the mission of OSU's Athletic Department is to develop leaders," Vydra said. "SAAC is a vehicle that allows our student-athletes a voice at the senior level of administration through the organization's president - Conor Bullis of men's rowing. Our SAAC is made up of our best and brightest students and I have learned from them as much as they learn from our staff."
SAAC recently put on the third annual "The Other Side" student-athlete talent show. The show featured the talents of Beaver student-athletes off the fields of play and included the volleyball team modeling clothes made by teammates Katelyn Healy and Abby Windell, a solo performance by swimmer Mari Embertson, and a Polynesian dance by football team members Tavita Thompson and Eric Moala among other interesting acts. All proceeds form the show were delivered to the Asian tsunami relief fund.
"SAAC has helped me realize how many people are focused on the success of Oregon State student-athletes. If all these people are pulling for us, then it makes me further push myself so they too can share in my success," said Felicia Castaneda, a freshman member of the swim team. "You appreciate your worth so much more."
SAAC has been a voice that has made changes in department policy and improved the lines of communication between administrators. The organization continues to grow and develop many worthwhile endeavors that Oregon State University and its boosters and fans can be proud of. It's just another avenue where student-athletes truly shine and develop into leaders of the future.
About the writer: Jenna Santelli is a freshman (2005) on the Oregon State University swim team. She was a four-year letterwinner in swimming at Bainbridge High School in Washington.
