The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Goodman elected as National SAAC representative
07.12.2012 | Track & Field / Cross Country w, Track & Field / Cross Country
July 12, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Chalonda Goodman has been elected as the Big 12 Conference representative to the National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for the 2012-13 academic year.
Goodman is one of 31 members of the committee who will represent each of the Division I multi-conferences in a national leadership role. Members were selected from a pool of three nominees from each of the conferences by the NCAA Division I Administration Cabinet.
"I have been involved as a member of the SAAC since my freshman year," Goodman said. "It was such an honor to have been nominated as an officer and I'm so excited to have the opportunity to represent Texas and the Big 12 this year."
In the representative capacity, Goodman will act as a liaison between the Big 12 Conference, all student-athletes from each of its 10 schools and the NCAA Division I Leadership Council. Her year-round duties include attending and participating in National SAAC meetings and conference calls and communicating positions on high-priority issues between the Big 12 and the Leadership Council.
Throughout her tenure of involvement with the SAAC, Goodman has also had the opportunity to participate in community service activities to raise awareness for a wide variety causes ranging from the Neighborhood Longhorns Program to Parkinson's disease to the Marbridge Foundation, which supports adults with cognitive disabilities.
"I got involved because of the responsibility of providing a voice, but also because of the community service and outreach aspect of the program," Goodman said. "I love to do different community service projects and to get other student-athletes to become involved. It's my favorite part of being active in the SAAC."
"Chalonda is one of those students that immediately gets your attention," said Dr. Randa Ryan, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Services. "Her focus, her goal-oriented behavior and her decisions are amazing for someone her age. She has the ability to see outside of herself regarding life's bigger picture and what is important. These things make Chalonda a great representative of her team, our department and The University of Texas."
The aim of the NCAA SAAC is to provide opportunity for and protect the wellbeing of NCAA student-athletes as well as promote a positive student-athlete self image. National SAAC members provide input on rules, regulations and policies that affect the lives of student-athletes and insight into the overall student-athlete experience.
