The SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Council) Program - Follow on Twitter & Instagram - @fordhamsaac
Intercollegiate athletics places great demands on the time, energy, and attention of student-athletes. Colleges and universities can and must provide opportunities for participants to be successful students and fulfilled athletes. It is the belief of the Athletics Department that it is our responsibility to provide the necessary programs and support to help the student-athlete achieve that goal.
The Mission
The student-athlete is recognized to be at the heart of the athletics program. The mission of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is to assist in the creation of an environment where all athletes have the opportunity to maximize their academic, personal, and social growth and provide them with tools for a productive and satisfying life during and after college.
Each varsity team has one representative on SAAC. Each team selects these representatives according to the choice of the team. Some teams vote on their representation, while other representatives are selected by the coach. Some team captains are automatically appointed as SAAC representatives.
The charge of the SAAC representatives are:
- To discuss issues of concern to student-athletes in all sports, and when mandated, to present those concerns to the Athletic Administration.
- To examine and discuss current and proposed Athletics Department policy and its effect on the student-athletes as a whole, and making recommendations to the Administration when mandated by committee vote.
- To examine current NCAA rules and their effect on the student-athletes and to make recommendations to the Administration.
- To develop outreach programs to help those in the community who are in need.
Events:
Throughout the year, SAAC helps sponsor a number of events, including:
- Welcome Back BBQ
- Job Central Career & Internship Fair
- Student-Athlete Educational Workshops
- Student-Athlete Mentoring Night
- Breakfast for Champions
- Student-Athlete Retreat
- Senior Student-Athlete Reception
2024-25 SAAC Roster:
Baseball: Ryan Meyer '25,
Diego Prieto '25,
Giacomo Travaglia '27
Men's Basketball: Will Richardson '26,
Jameson O'Toole '27
Women's Basketball: Rose Nelson '26,
Irene Txintxurreta GS
Cheerleading: Gina Valente '26,
Kathryn Cox '27
Dance: Lauren Donovan '25,
Amelia Hong '25
Football: Mike Courtney '24,
Garrett Williams '25
Golf: Chris Konefal '25,
Jacob Mrva '25
Rowing: Nicolette Giamrusti '26,
Anna Hinck '25
Men's Soccer: Jed Dixon '25,
Daniel D'Ippolito '26
Women's Soccer: Julia Holton '26,
Sari Frankl '27
Softball: Mallory McClellan '25,
Nicki Sudall '26,
Neleh Nogay '26,
Elizabeth Gaisior '28,
Vikki Klimaszewski '28,
Ava Vandernoth '28
Squash: TBD
Men's Swimming & Diving: Daniel Langlois '25,
Vitalis Onu '25
Women's Swimming & Diving: Zoei Howard '25,
Hope Nolan '26
Men's Tennis: TBD
Women's Tennis: Sofie Siem '26,
Julianne Nguyen '27
Men's Cross Country/Track & Field: Nathan Bezuneh '25,
George Pomer '26
Women's Cross Country/Track & Field: Kylie Ritz '26,
Ashley Holbrook '27
Volleyball: Whitley Moody '24,
Zoe Talabong '26
Water Polo: Thomas Lercari '25,
Jagger McMannis '26
Captains’ Circle
The Captains’ Circle is a space for captains from all varsity sports to get together, discuss topics, and assist each other in leading their teams to success.
Once a Ram, Always a Ram
Once a Ram, Always a Ram is an alumni and student-athlete networking program which pairs current student-athletes with Fordham Athletics alumni to connect about professional and career development.