The Student-Athlete Advisory Council is composed of representatives of each varsity team. It meets regularly to discuss issues relevant to the quality of the experience of Duke student-athletes. The SAAC then meets at least twice a year with the Director of Athletics and the Associate Director of Athletics to discuss their concerns, ask questions, and make suggestions concerning student welfare and the Department of Athletics. E-mail Leslie Barnes at lbarnes@duaa.duke.edu if you want more information about SAAC.
Duke SAAC kicked of the 2009-10 academic year at a Leadership Retreat with fellow duke athletes who serve as Upper Class First Year Mentors, as well as with rival peers, UNC SAAC and Mentors. The event was held at Camp New Hope—half way between both schools. Athletes worked together in various activities from ice breakers, to team building discussions they can apply to their teams through their SAAC and Mentor Positions. The afternoon event culminated with a self awareness assessment regarding leadership and communication behaviors and styles and the importance of knowing how to work with each to accomplish tasks both on and off the field, as well as beyond their collegiate career.
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2009 FALL MEETING SCHEDULE
Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. - Media Room - Cameron
Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. - Media Room - Cameron
Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. - Media Room - Cameron
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2009-10 SAAC Members
Officers
KayAnne Gummersall - Co-Chair
Eric Ness - Co-Chair
Dylan Arnould - Soup Kitchen Coordinator
Nick Tsipis - Project Share Coordinator
Spencer Booth - Secretary
Rory Erickson-Kulas - Secretary
Baseball: Ryan McCurdy, Trevor Cesar; Men's Basketball: Nolan Smith, Miles Plumlee; Women's Basketball: Jasmine Thomas; Men's Fencing: Tristan Jones; Women's Fencing: Noel Shaskan; Field Hockey: Devon Bagliardi, Megan Deakins, Sarah Schoffstall; Football: Lee Butler, Matt Daniels, Cameron Jones, Patrick Kurunwune, Jon Needham; Men's Golf: Adam Long; Women's Golf: Kim Donovan; Men's Lacrosse: Michael Hutchings, Steve Schoeffel; Women's Lacrosse: Taylor Fleming; Rowing: Alex Japhet, Rory Erickson-Kulas; Men's Soccer: Nick Tsipis; Women's Soccer: KayAnne Gummersall, Gretchen Miller; Men's Swimming & Diving: Eric Ness, Spencer Booth; Women's Swimming & Diving: Elizabeth Bellew, Christa Holt Men's Tennis: Dylan Arnould; Women's Tennis: Amanda Granson, Ellah Nze; Men's Track & Field/Cross Country: Mario Moreno, Will Smith, Tradelle Ward; Women's Track & Field/Cross Country: Anne Marie Gordon, Emily Sherrard; Volleyball: Rachael Moss, Becci Burling, Claire Smalzer; Wrestling: Anthony Jorge, Willy Mello
SAAC Leadership Education Series
Each semester SAAC representatives take one meeting committed toward continuing education and their own personal development as leaders and peer role models. Each rep is responsible to share these topics and can request team education on any issue as well. This year, the Fall Education topic was Diversity and LGBT issues with guest, Janie Long, from Duke LBGT Life Center. Most recently, in January, the Spring topic was Etiquette. The reps enjoyed a more “formal” dinner setting and engaged in proper handshake form, place setting, chair entrance/exit activities as well as applying proper dining etiquette in eating a meal together.
 
SAAC Projects
During the Holiday season, SAAC adopts families through Project Share and raises money from each team to purchase Christmas gifts for the families. Student-Athletes wrap the gifts and deliver them to the Project Share offices.
  
One of SAAC’s primary projects is WINTER FUN DAY, an annual afternoon in which it hosts middle school youngsters for an afternoon and evening. The event features the athletes meeting the youngsters, hosting them for sports clinics, providing a t-shirt for each youngster, and dinner and watching a women’s basketball game.
Finally, SAAC coordinates the Athletic Department partnership with Urban Ministries of Durham. On weekends throughout the Fall, Winter and Spring, SAAC members get teammates to volunteer their time by working and helping in the soup kitchen. SAAC is also very involved with Habitat for Humanity Projects each year as well as committed to hosting groups of kids through the Oxford Housing Authority to be guests at Home Football games.
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