Thanks to tireless efforts from its student-athlete members and athletic department advisors, the Clarkson University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has been recognized by the NCAA Division III National SAAC. Distinguished in the NCAA Division III August update, the Clarkson University SAAC was awarded the National SAAC Spotlight Award.
The August 2010 newsletter highlights the numerous accomplishments of the Clarkson SAAC. The Clarkson SAAC has pioneered countless campus and community service activities that emphasize the NCAA mission statement and philosophy. The Clarkson SAAC has organized several fundraising efforts for local charities. Included in those fundraising efforts are a "chuck-a-puck" night at a Clarkson Men's Hockey game that raised $400 for a local animal shelter, and a community food drive which contributed over $450 and 2,400 non-perishable food items to the Potsdam Neighborhood Center. Additionally, the Clarkson SAAC raised more than $1,200 for Relay for Life and over $400 for cystic fibrosis research during its Annual 5k-Run for Cystic Fibrosis.
Beyond its numerous guided financial philanthropic endeavors, the Clarkson SAAC hosted its annual Special Olympics Awareness Day at the Indoor Recreation Center during which 30 Clarkson student-athletes from various sports worked with more than 50 Special Olympics athletes. The event ended with a basketball game involving Clarkson student-athletes and Special Olympians participating on the same team. Finally, Clarkson SAAC developed a community outreach program entitled CU Active. CU Active, Clarkson SAAC’s most unique program, combines themes of physical activity, nutrition, leadership, and teamwork to provide elementary school students with a comprehensive learning experience from Clarkson student-athletes. The objective of CU Active is to encourage local elementary school students to engage in an active and healthy lifestyle. This past spring, Clarkson student-athletes presented CU Active to fifth grade students at a middle school in Canton, NY, and there are plans to bring the program to Potsdam, NY schools this fall.
“One of the main values of Clarkson SAAC is that we want to give back to the Clarkson campus and the local community, for they are continually supporting athletics at Clarkson,” said Scott Desmond, Clarkson SAAC President. “Therefore, throughout the year Clarkson SAAC organizes and sponsors numerous events that emphasize this value.”
Clarkson SAAC, led by President Scott Desmond and Vice President Meghan Cleason, is composed of 31 active members. The other four officers for the Golden Knights’ SAAC are Hannah Walters, Kurt Schwarting, Josh Flacke, and Cammie Hayes.
"I think the National SAAC Spotlight Award will cause members of Clarkson SAAC to relize that their hard work and efforts are recognized and quite extraordinary," added Desmond. "All Clarkson SAAC members truly epitomize what it means to be an NCAA student-athlete."
For more information regarding members, meetings, and events involving the Clarkson University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, please visit www.clarksonathletics.com.
