Alabama’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Keeps the Crimson Tide Moving Forward
10/26/2020 8:58:00 AM | General
Like most things this season, Alabama's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has had a very different fall in 2020
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – On a recent Tuesday evening, the 8 p.m. hour rolled around and Sam Fischer put on his president hat and opened the biweekly meeting of Alabama's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. After greeting Jessie Gardner (Assistant Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Enhancement), Justin Stewart (Coordinator, Life Skills and Community Outreach), and the 40-plus student-athletes who make up this year's SAAC, Dr. James King was introduced as the night's guest speaker.
Dr. King explained his role as the Crimson Tide's Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR), and how he works as a liaison between President Stuart Bell and The University of Alabama and Alabama Athletics. After a round of questions, followed by a round of applause, Fischer, a senior on the men's tennis team, once again took the reins of the meeting, and soon after, the group broke into their subcommittees to go over initiatives and projects that are ongoing and on the horizon.
Each committee chair came back and reported to the group and after some questions and comments, things wrapped up and another SAAC meeting was in the books. It was a pretty typical meeting all in all, except that this is 2020, so instead of meeting in Bryant Hall face-to-face, this meeting, as with so much else this fall, took place Zoom-to-Zoom.
"It was so fun in previous years to be in person for these meetings," Fischer said. "But we've had to adapt, knowing that aspect of it was going to be tough to replicate. Our executive committee has worked extremely hard to keep everyone involved and keep us moving forward."
In addition to meetings, COVID-19 has changed much of what SAAC is doing in the community and around campus, but that hasn't deterred SAAC from finding ways to continue to make a difference for Alabama Athletics and the community around them.
"Many of the events we have had in the past can no longer happen due to the COVID-19 crisis, but we have managed to create new events and opportunities for all our student athletes," Fischer said. "Jessie and Justin have been with us the whole way, and they have given us great insight in terms of how to make the most of this year."
The different circumstances have necessitated a stronger front end to SAAC and its projects. Fischer, along with vice president Gabe Serrano (men's track & field/cross country), secretary Alonza Klopfer (gymnastics) and the executive board – Alexa Cruz (women's track & field/cross country), Brock Guffey (baseball), Ben Fuller (men's golf), Kat Rogers (soccer) and Riley White (women's track & field/cross country) have all had to up their game when it comes to organizing initiatives and engaging members. Each SAAC member has contributed greatly to the group's mission, planning and working ahead to identify ways to enhance the student-athlete experience at Alabama.
"We have managed to keep growing SAAC through consistent communication and planning," Fischer said "Our executives and members are always working on ways to get student athletes involved in the safest way possible. I cannot put enough emphasis on the leaders we have in SAAC this year, because we wouldn't be where we are without them."
These changes started at the very beginning of the season with the SAAC hosted Crimson Kickoff Mixer, a popular first week of school event that brings all the Crimson Tide newcomers together for a meet and greet. It's a chance for rookies from all the sports to branch out and meet new people and hear from veterans who can help them navigate year one.
This year's mixer still allowed that to happen, but it was also a virtual affair. Freshmen and transfer student-athletes heard from Greg Byrne (Director of Athletics), Tiffini Grimes (Deputy Director of Athletics/SWA/Chief Diversity Officer) and Jon Dever (Senior Associate Athletics Director of Student Services) who welcomed everyone to UA and shared their favorite Roll Tide memories. SAAC leaders also welcomed the newest members of the Crimson Tide family to campus while sharing insight on how to be successful at the Capstone.
That kind of pivot, especially so early in the semester, took a lot of foresight, which has become the hallmark of SAAC's 2020-21 season.
"I am most excited to see all that we can accomplish this year given all that is going on," Fischer said "I view this year as an opportunity to really make a difference and build upon what each SAAC committee has done in previous years. I know our SAAC committee is prepared for all challenges that arise this year, and that's a testament to the culture we have created as student-athletes at The University of Alabama."
Follow along with SAAC on Twitter and Instagram via @UA_SAAC and Alabama's Student-Athlete Enhancement initiative, which provides Alabama Student-Athletes the foundation and tools for greatness in all areas of the collegiate experience and beyond, via @Tide_ENHANCE on Twitter and Instagram.
