Simon Elfrink
Staff Writer
Murray State student-athletes are doing their part to make an impact for fellow athletes across the country by taking part in the NCAA’s Student Athletic Advisory Committee.
SAAC, founded in 1989, is a committee of student-athletes to allow what the NCAA calls “insight on the student-athlete experience.” SAAC’s purpose is to supply input on the NCAA’s rules and regulations, especially those the SAAC feels directly impact the lives of student-athletes.
Murray State’s SAAC is also dedicated to serving the community. Under the leadership of Murray State SAAC Advisor and Assistant Cross Country and Track & Field Coach Kelsey Riggins, the Racer’s SAAC has plans laid out to lend aid to students at Murray State and Calloway County residents alike.
The two softball players on the Racer SAAC, redshirt junior outfielder Jensen Striegel and redshirt sophomore utility player Lindsey Carroll have planned to maintain the traditional Can Drive to support the local Need Line branch.
Racer golfers sophomore Payton Carter and senior Charli Doss have their own plans to adjust the Weaver Center’s itinerary with initiatives like the Student-Athlete of the Month program. Other initiatives include Racer Report Information, the Racer Road Challenge and Racer Restart guidelines.
Several other SAAC members are collaborating on the group’s official Instagram page to promote additional initiatives. The first initiative revolved around Mental Health Week, which began on Oct. 4. Junior soccer forward Abby Jones, redshirt senior tennis player Sara Loncarevic, volleyball senior libero Becca Fernandez and senior golfer Quinn Eaton have all appeared on the social media platform to let the Racer Nation know that no one is alone, as well as offering some tips about managing stress and mental health.
Carroll also appeared on the SAAC’s Instagram page on Oct. 7 to testify the importance of Mental Health Awareness Week.
“I think it’s super important to spread the awareness of mental health,” Carroll said. “We want these people who deal with mental illness to be accepted instead of thinking of it as a weakness.”
Racers who want to see what the Murray State SAAC is up to are encouraged to follow them on Instagram at @murraystatesaac.