Luncheon connects SAAC champions with mentors
3/29/2019 6:29:00 PM | Athletics
Sam Houston State athletics is more than just grooming student-athletes to be winners in their respective sports, the department also strives to put these individuals in positions to be champions in life as well.
Bearkat athletics hosted its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Championship Luncheon on Wednesday as SAAC members joined key administrative figures on campus.
The purpose of the luncheon was to give top leaders from Sam Houston intercollegiate teams the opportunity for fellowship and interaction with university leaders. The event was held at the Ron Mafrige Field House.
“Since we have such good, quality student-athletes, especially at the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee leadership level, I wanted to give them the opportunity to be around leaders at the university,” director of athletics Bobby Williams said about why he created the luncheon four years ago. “I wanted to get people who lead at different levels across our university to come so they can mingle, mentor and network with our student-athletes as they prepare to graduate.”
SAAC members attending included Tyler Adams (track and field), Seth Ballew (baseball), Ema Barkovic (tennis), Adrian Contreras (football), Halie Daniel (track and field), Cameron and Josh Delaney (basketball), Jamie Eckford (track and field), Rachel Harrell (basketball), Tia Harston (basketball), Haley Havekost (volleyball), Josh Hernandez (track and field), Chris Jefferson (track and field), Lauren Labay (track and field), Maggie Lassalle (track and field), Madilyn Miles (volleyball), Michael Nichols (track and field), Courtney Pawlik (soccer), Jenna Phillips (golf), Royce See (football), Carter Starcke (football), Noah Steele (golf), Jordyn Vaughn (track and field), Hayden Wesneski (baseball) and Whitney Woodward (soccer).
The student-athletes were joined by president's cabinet members Mark Adams, Kathy Gilcrease, Carlos Hernandez, Frank Holmes, Frank Parker
Ten university administrators also joined including Jeanine Bias-Nelson, Rhonda Beassie, Wayne Bennett, Keith Jenkins, Charlie Vienne, Janet Williams
Chris Thompson, associate athletic director for Student Services, coordinated the event.
The Sam Houston State University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is dedicated to providing the opportunity for student-athletes to have a quality academic and athletic experience that will culminate in graduation from Sam Houston. This committee represents a commitment from student-athletes, coaches and administrators to achieve excellence in the following manner.
“People want to know how you build champions,” Williams said. “When you have administrators and staff who are willing and want to
Building Champions results in more than winning games, it involves creating well-rounded student-athletes. To do this, resources such as the SAAC Champion Luncheon are important tools in assisting student-athletes
Support the Bearkat Champions Academic Fund to directly impact the future of over 400 student-athletes at the Bearkat Champions Fund link.
