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Interview: Joe Weber (UTD) ASC SAAC National Rep.
RICHARDSON, Texas - The American Southwest Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) held its annual meeting Monday (Sept. 25-26) at the DoubleTree by Hilton in North Dallas. Each of the ASC's 13 member institutions was represented with student-athletes and advisors.
For the first time in the history of the ASC SAAC meetings, the event was held over the course of two days, Sunday and Monday. The ASC also conducted the first SAAC Olympiad. Student-athletes teamed up with members from other ASC schools in teams of three and competed in games and trivia. Jayde Westbrook of Louisiana College, John Loris of Belhaven and Devon Walter of Mary Hardin-Baylor won the inaugural competition.
ASC Commissioner Amy Carlton provided notes from the national level about current and upcoming legislation concerning student-athletes. The guest speaker was Maricela "Cela" Shukie, Vice President of Forward Progress Athletics Consulting. A former student-athlete herself, Shukie discussed creating impactful programming on college campuses through the SAAC, goal orientation, time management and how community involvement with SAAC can have a positive effect on college life.
"I'm honored to lead such a motivated group through two days of leadership training," said Shukie."With more time to engage during the retreat, deeper relationships were created across campuses. I'm excited to see the great things that come out of the American Southwest Conference this year."
Joe Weber of Texas Dallas, who serves as the national representative for student-athletes of the American Southwest Conference and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC), spoke on mental wellness, Special Olympics and implementing national student-athlete based initiatives.
Four ASC student-athletes will attend the NCAA Convention on January 18-20, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. Other upcoming events are National Student-Athlete Day on April 6 and Division III Week, April 3-9.