(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow - Director, NCAA Photos)

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) was represented by 22 student-athletes last week at the 2016 NCAA Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Made possible through the NCAA Division III Strategic Initiative Grant, the student-athletes participated in a wide range of activities – from education sessions to business sessions to the NCAA Honors Celebration. Social Media Recap | Video Recap

“It was an incredible week for our student-athletes,” said SCAC Commissioner Dwayne Hanberry. “You could see the amazement in their faces - whether it was getting an opportunity to meet (NCAA) President Mark Emmert and (Division III) Vice-President Dan Dutcher or take a picture with Dikembe Mutombo at the Honors Celebration - our kids were having the time of their lives. Coupled with that incredible access was an opportunity to sit in on roundtable discussions and provide feedback on proposed legislation. Our student-athletes were granted an opportunity to experience all that the NCAA Convention had to offer and they took full advantage.”

Student-athletes from all eight SCAC member institutions attended, including: Erin Eckert, Delmas Hoye and Emily Low of Austin College; Desiree Frey and Mary Kate Robertson of Centenary College; McQella Adams, Madison Cahill-Sanidas, Stefani Messick and Justin Nguyen of Colorado College; Jamie Birzer and Alex Compte of University of Dallas; Caitlin Otten of Schreiner University; Justin Broussard and Brianna Timourian of Southwestern University; Vanessa Espinoza, Sioned Kirkpatrick and Lalo Ramirez of Texas Lutheran University; and Cheyenne Duncan, Yasmeen Farra, Sarah Price, Adam Saunders and Julian Turner of Trinity University.

After an introductory dinner on Wednesday evening, the SCAC contingent attended educational sessions on Thursday morning, followed by the keynote luncheon where the group had a chance to listen to former U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice, who was honored with the Gerald R. Ford Award.  

Later that afternoon, the SCAC 22 attended the Convention’s opening business session which included a chance to meet NCAA President Mark Emmert.

“Division III has always been a leader in getting student-athletes involved in the decisions that go on between administrators,” said Emmert. “I enjoyed meeting with the SCAC students at our NCAA Convention this year where they represented their schools and conference with pride and a true passion for their collegiate experience. SCAC students who participated in our meetings serve as an example of athletics as a pathway to opportunities in life.”

Friday included more educational sessions as well as a chance to attend the NCAA Division III Issues Forum and an opportunity to participate in several roundtable discussions regarding issues facing the Division. Several student-athletes commented on how enjoyable it was to provide feedback during this session.

“My favorite thing was the roundtable discussions,” said Colorado College junior Maddie Cahill-Sanidas. “I was just floored by the amount of say that I had with two athletic directors from schools that I had never been to, and it was an incredible opportunity to even just be able to say what I was thinking.”

“I loved seeing student reps out there asking questions to big presidents and having that conversation,” said Trinity University senior Sarah Price. “Seeing how we are represented and how we have a voice in the NCAA was really cool.”

“It means a lot knowing that people actually want to talk to you and hear what you want to do in life,” said University of Dallas junior Alex Compte.

Following a student luncheon hosted by the Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, the group attended the SCAC Athletics Directors Council meeting to provide feedback and answer questions regarding different pieces of legislation scheduled to be voted on during the following day’s business session.

A late afternoon break helped the group prepare for Friday’s huge event, the Honors Celebration, which is always one of, if not the, highlight of every NCAA Convention. At this event, the Association annually honors those who make lasting contributions to intercollegiate athletes. Current and former student-athletes are recognized for their work on the field and in the classroom, their contributions to society and their ability to inspire those around them.

The NCAA’s Honors Celebration covers the Theodore Roosevelt Award; Today’s Top Ten Awards, the Silver Anniversary Awards, the Award of Valor, and the Inspiration Award.

“The Honors Celebration made me feel like what I’m doing as a student-athlete is important beyond the field and I can actually touch peoples’ lives,” said junior Brianna Timourian of Southwestern University.

“Seeing all of the people from the honors celebration was so inspiring and showed me that, even though I’m done playing collegiate volleyball, I’m not done with sports yet,” said Schreiner University senior Caitlin Otten.

“One of the Top 10 from the Honors Celebration (Kristin Day) is actually in medical school now so I got a chance to talk with her about that experience,” said Texas Lutheran University senior Sioned Kirkpatrick. “It was extremely helpful.”

Following the event, the group was granted an audience with Division III Vice-President Dan Dutcher, who shared his delight in seeing so many student-athletes at the Convention.

“I thought the increased attendance by student-athletes was a definite highlight of the 2016 Convention,” said Dutcher. “I especially appreciated the chance to meet and speak with the students from the SCAC.  Their organization and participation has been noteworthy. I am encouraged and excited by their future leadership.”

The Convention’s final day saw the SCAC 22 attend the Division III business session where they had an opportunity to watch as attendees discussed and voted on 10 proposals brought forward for consideration by the membership.

Before everyone departed and headed back to campus, the conference office sat down with the SCAC student-athletes to ask each of them their prominent takeaway from the week. A common theme expressed by many was a sense of pride in representing their institutions and the SCAC while getting the opportunity to meet fellow students and administrators from other Division III institutions.

“Every part of this was amazing and I am so lucky to have had this opportunity,” said Austin College junior Emily Low. “I’ve met so many inspiring people and so many people that really want to make a difference with athletics and academics. It was the best opportunity I’ve ever had.”

“It was amazing to get to see different kids from all across the country come and discuss issues on their campus or even things that should be addressed from all of Division III,” said Mary Kate Robertson, a senior from Centenary College.

For others, experiencing the NCAA Convention opened their eyes into a world that they didn’t know existed or at least not to the magnitude they had imagined.

“Not being here at the Convention, I always thought it was a bunch of people in Indianapolis taking all of the polls and everything,” said Colorado College sophomore Justin Nguyen. “But whether it’s at our school SAAC, the conference or even at the national level, we all have a chance to speak up and voice our opinions. People actually care about what the student-athlete cares about.”