SAAC gives student athletes representation

By Justin Sandoval IStaff Writer|

“The purpose of Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) is to be a liaison between the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the student athlete,” said Coyote Student-Athlete Council (CSAC) President and Track & Field athlete Jackeline Felix.
CSAC, the CSUSB portion of the SAAC for the NCAA Division II, recently voted on proposals to advance the division’s Life in the Balance legislation.
The proposal is looking to limit non-season practice to no more than two hours a week.
Kimberli Clarke, CSAC administrator said, “The Life in the Balance Legislation is here to protect the student athlete, providing a safer environment year around.”
“The safety is in regard to facility, injury prevention, and injury care,” continued Clarke.
Currently, the Division II Presidents Council members are debating whether or not new proposals validated year-round practices.
Football is the only sport that would not be affected at the Division II level, so Coyotes will not be affected.
Men’s golf saw the legislation take effect this year, as the Cal Baptist University Invitational was cut from the schedule since it takes place during finals week this year.
CSAC Officer at Large, and Men’s golfer Alexander Coats explained, “they felt sports were taking over athletes in school, so they restricted practice schedules and game schedules.”
CSAC is the primary group of student athletic and community fundraising.
In 2014, CSAC put on two Penny War fundraisers for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
In the Penny Wars, student athletes set up stations outside of the Student Union, asking students to donate spare change for the success of their teams.
The Spring 2014 winners were Men’s golf, and most recently, the Fall 2014 cheer and dance team were victorious with a last minute $100 donation.
Felix said, “To help our community we have set our goal for Penny Wars this year at $4,000, all Coyotes are encouraged to help and support.”
Each individual team competes against each other in Penny Wars, but as a whole, CSAC represents the Coyotes against all other schools at the Division II level.
CSAC will be voting in the 2015 NCCA Convention in January on four membership-sponsored proposals for Division II athletics.
In order to qualify for the right to vote in the CSAC, one must be a student athlete at CSUSB.
Each team is required to have a minimum of two representatives, with a maximum of three representatives with voting privileges.
Yet all student athletes are heavily strongly encouraged to participate in the functions and fundraisers.
CSAC is looking to improve the experience for student athletes, and for the spectator as well.
Felix said, “We really want to create the school spirit in this school because it is lacking.”
“We’ve definitely seen attendance go up this year and we hope it continues throughout the year,” continued Felix.
Coyotes are currently in their 30th year of Athletics, and CSAC has been, and will continue hosting “Pack Attacks” at all home athletic events, which encourages participation from the entire student body as well as all of the spectators that come and cheer on our Coyotes.