Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

SAAC Priorities

Represent the voice of Lumberjack Athletics.
Discuss student-athlete masters and assist in developing new programs/policies for NAU Athletics, the Big Sky Conference, and the NCAA.
Plan community service projects and cultivate camaraderie within NAU Athletics.

Member Responsibilities

Serve as a liaison between SAAC and the respective team.
Attend SAAC meetings and promote SAAC events.
Participate in subcommittee work and events.
Respect and uphold the values of Lumberjack Athletics in all spaces.

Current SAAC Roster

Name	Team	Role
Audrey Taylor	Women’s Basketball	Co-President
Lizzie Neale	Women’s Golf	Co-President
Leia Beattie	Women’s Basketball	Executive Board Member
Cydnie Perkins	Swim + Dive	Executive Board Member
Ryan Abelman	Men’s Basketball	Executive Board Member
Kendall Roberston	Volleyball	Executive Board Member
Morgan Caslin	Soccer	Member
Katie Willoughby	Soccer	Member
Jayden Jackson	Men’s Basketball	Member
Ava Schmidt	Women’s Basketball	Member
Casey Craffey	Swim + Dive	Member
Kylie Ney	Swim + Dive	Member
Bena Koehn	Swim + Dive	Member
Frankie Dezis	Women’s Golf	Member
Nina Lukyaneko	Women’s Golf	Member
Richard Kwete	Football	Member
Quinlan Popham	Football	Member
Ava Mitchel	Women’s Track+Field/CC	Member
Sarriyah Horne	Women’s Track+Field/CC	Member
Avery Gottschalk	Volleyball	Member
Daryna Shoshyna	Women’s Tennis	Member
Leontina Stojanovic	Women’s Tennis	Member
Semen Agynskyy	Men’s Tennis	Member
Piotr Galus	Men’s Tennis	Member
Ford Washburn	Men’s Track+Field/CC	Member

Updates:

Transition Out of College Athletics – Event Recap

This engaging panel event, held on April 10th at Parsons’ Auditorium, provided student-athletes with valuable insights on life after sports. Moderated by Dr. Hannah, the discussion covered navigating identity shifts, building new routines, forming meaningful friendships, and redefining your relationship with exercise. We were lucky enough to have three former NAU athletes and alumni share their experiences with us! The evening wrapped up with food and a networking opportunity featuring local gyms, financial advisors, and career coaches.
SAAC TOOA

Cookies for Conversation 11/20/24

At the Women’s Basketball game against the University of Arizona, the NAU Student Athlete Advisory Committee hosted Cookies for Conversation, aiming to bring together students and fans and raise awareness for mental health. College life can be stressful, and many students struggle with mental health issues, often in silence. By incorporating mental health awareness into a fun event, the NAU community can normalize these conversations, reduce stigma, and encourage students to seek support when needed. This event encouraged attendees to enjoy cookies while engaging in meaningful conversations with those around them!

Trick-or-Treat 10/28/24

The 2024 Trick-or-Treat event hosted by the NAU Student Athlete Advisory Committee was a great success that brought together people from all across the Flagstaff Community! The Trick or Treat event was a fun-filled, family-friendly celebration that allowed local kids to dress up in costumes and collect candy as they made their way through campus. With student-athletes volunteering along the route, children had the chance to interact with NAU’s athletes while enjoying a safe and festive trick-or-treating experience. The event not only brought the community together but also allowed student-athletes to connect with younger generations positively and engagingly, all while spreading Halloween cheer and fostering school spirit.
SAAC1

Contact:
Co-President - Audrey Taylor: agt97@nau.edu
Co-President - Lizzie Neale: emn235@nau.edu
Faculty Advisor - Darian D'Antuono: darian.dantuono@nau.edu