UPIKE Athletics

 
Mission Statement
The mission of the UPIKE Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is to serve as a liaison between the student body, faculty, athletic department, and student-athletes. SAAC seeks to enhance the student-athlete experience by providing opportunities while promoting a positive image as a representative of the university and the NAIA.

UPIKE SAAC Guiding Principles
The UPIKE SAAC will be guided by the following NAIA Champions of Character principles: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.

Purpose

• To provide a formal mechanism for communication between student-athletes and the athletic administration
• To review proposed policy changes affecting student athletes (housing, academics, etc.)
• To provide activities to promote a sense of community among student-athletes
• To educate the student-athletes about changes within the NAIA, MSC, and UPIKE's athletic department
• To provide input on possible public and community service projects that various student-athletes are interested in becoming involved with

Membership

• Members will be chosen by head coaches or to those who indicate a willingness to serve
• Voting members shall consist of one member of each of UPIKE's 26 varsity sports

Officers

• President - Emily Short - VB
  • Presides over the SAAC meetings
  • Works with the SAAC committee to facilitate group success and organization
  • Assigns projects to members of the organization
  • Oversees all SAAC functions
• Vice President - William Rudeseal - FB
  • Acts as president in case the president is absent, dismissed, or resigns. In the latter two cases, it is the vice president's responsibility to organize an election for president at the next regularly scheduled meeting. The same responsibility applies to other officer positions.
  • Responsible for any and all community service projects that the SAAC may choose to be involved in as a committee
• Secretary - Abby Adkins - WBB
  • Keeps a record of SAAC attendance at all meetings
  • Keeps minutes at all SAAC meetings 
  • Coordinates correspondence between members of SAAC by phone or email
  • Records what is discussed at meetings.
• Members
• Emily Short - VB
• Macen Witt - Dance
• Carrington Russell - WBowling 
• Bryce Oliver - MBowling
• Broc Crist - MGolf
• Taylor Messer - WGolf
• Zoe Ingram - Softball
• Martin Lorenzo - MTennis
• Madison Ball - WTennis
• Grayson Harris & Noah Helton - Baseball 
• Trenton Adkins - MBB
• Mary Englert & Abby Adkins - WBB
• Coby Fields - MSoccer
• Kacy Zimmerman - WSoccer
• Sophia Hunziger - Archery
• Verlecia Scarlett - Track & Field 
• Amari Hardwick & William Rudeseal - Football
• Celia Wiedel - Cheer
• Nicholas Letherbarrow - Esports

Staff Advisors

• Shelby Wheeler
• Kailey Garten
• Dustyn Reinstetle

Events
The UPIKE SAAC have engaged in a variety of events in the local community, including: the Ruff Tuff Half Marathon, Gear Up Week at Mullins Elementary School, among others.