USCAA Annouces Members of Inaugural Student-Athlete Advisory Council
Norfolk, VA- The United States Collegiate Athletic Association is proud to announce the first National Student-Athlete Advisory Council. The mission of the USCAA National SAAC is to enhance the student-athlete experience by giving students a voice at the national level, fostering opportunity, and promoting a positive student-athlete image.
The members of the USCAA National SAAC will create a voice for student-athletes at the national level, enhance student engagement, and much more to enhance the student-athlete image. The National Council will be made up of 14 student-athletes from USCAA member institutions, representing each of the USCAA’s National Championship Sports. There will be a Senior Advisory Board that will be made up of 5 student-athletes whose purpose is to provide insight and feedback on past actions, best practices, and serve as a guide for the current council. The inaugural advisory board will be composed of current seniors on their campuses who have prior SAAC experience. A National Office representative and two individuals will serve as the advisors for this committee.
The 2020-2021 SAAC Members are:
Carrigan Causby, a sophomore at Warren Wilson, is a member of the Women’s Soccer and Basketball teams. She is also serving on her athletic department's SAAC for the first time.
Hope Walker, a sophomore at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, is a member of the Women’s Soccer and Basketball teams. Walker coaches’ young athletes in her hometown. She also teaches church school and helps with food drives and community events at her church.
Bryce Dalpiaz, a sophomore at Penn State Hazleton, is a member of the Men’s Soccer and Baseball teams. Dalpiaz is a member of the PSUAC SAAC.
Jimya Chambers, a junior at Penn State Beaver, is a member of the Women’s Basketball team. Chambers and her team won the 2020 USCAA Women’s Basketball Division II National Championship.
Kara Scott, a junior at Johnson & Wales Charlotte, is a member of the Women’s Basketball team. Scott serves in the military and helps serve at the local soup kitchen.
Trevor Holland, a junior at The King’s College, is a member of the Men’s Basketball team. This past summer, Holland became president of The King’s College SAAC and transitioned the group to a Student Organization in order to have the ability to fundraise.
Xavier Denis, a sophomore at The University of Maine Fort Kent, is a member of the Men’s Track & Field team. Denis is also a member of the Student Senate of the UMFK campus.
Claire Mense, a sophomore at Christendom College, is a member of the Women’s Volleyball and Basketball team. Mense was named team captain of her volleyball team this past year.
Ashley Pentz, a junior at Penn State Schuylkill, is a member of the Softball team. Pentz participates in the Tri Beta Biology honors association, Blue and White and Thon.
Hayden Altimari, a junior at Penn State Brandywine, is a member of the Baseball team. Altimari is the president of the PSU Brandywine SAAC for the last two years.
Devon Ware, a sophomore at Bryant & Stratton- Buffalo, is a member of the Men’s Basketball team. Ware and his team participated in the 2019-2020 Men’s Basketball DI National Championship Tournament.
Pablo Boada, a junior at Christendom College, is a member of the Men’s Soccer team. Boada helps out with a political action league and volunteers at a homeless shelter.
Alessandra Banta, a junior at Penn State Hazleton, is a member of the Volleyball team. Banta is driven to help grow the USCAA as a whole.
Emily Keener, a junior at Penn State Beaver, is a member of the Women’s Basketball and Volleyball team. Keener plans to advocate for the USCAA and represent her campus and conference while being a member of the USCAA SAAC.
The 2020-2021 SAAC Senior Advisory Board Members are:
Dakaylah Winfield, a senior at Villa Maria College, is a member of the Women’s Basketball team. Winfield is an active volunteer for the Vikings for Vets 5K run.
Daquann Hayes, a senior at the University of Maine Augusta, is a member of the Men’s Basketball and Cross Country team. Hayes is a member of the Veterans Club, as he is currently serving in the Air Force Reserves as he participates in sports.
Amber Cina, a senior at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, is a member of the Women’s Track & Field Team. Cina is the president of ACPHS SAAC.
Sierra Bell, a senior at Warren Wilson College, is a member of the Women’s Soccer team. Bell is the current SAAC President at Warren Wilson College and previously served as Vice President.
Brenton Davis, a senior at Warren Wilson College, is a member of the Men’s Basketball team. Davis is the current Vice President of SAAC at Warren Wilson College.
The 2020-2021 SAAC Advisors are:
BJ Bertges is the USCAA Director of Championships and Development. Bertges previously served as Penn State Beavers Assistant Athletic Director and the Head Volleyball Coach.
Dave Sichterman is owner and founder of Arete 360, LLC. Arete 360 is a leadership training and coaching company which provides professional development services to individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations.
The USCAA is looking for a final advisor for the 2020-2021 SAAC. We are seeking interest from any Athletic Administrators and/or coaches. If you are interested, please contact BJ Bertges at BJ.Bertges@theuscaa.com.