Goodwin Represents Massachusetts Maritime SAAC at 2019 NCAA Convention

ORLANDO, Fla – Last week, the NCAA held its annual convention at the Orlando World Center Marriott and Caribe Royale Orlando in Florida. The conference is attended by Conference Commissioners, Athletics Directors, Assistant Athletics Directors, coaches, sports information directors and other athletics department administrators from around the country to network, go over and set NCAA policies, and everything else that goes on behind the scenes to make college athletics work.

Student-athletes, specifically those involved in Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC), attend the conference as well. Including our own senior softball player, Emily Goodwin, pictures on the right. Goodwin serves as the Buccaneer SAAC President, on the NCAA DIII Student Athlete Advisory Committee representing both the MASCAC and Little East Conference (LEC), and is also a member of the NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct. 

The Mission of SAAC is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare and fostering a positive student-athlete image. For more information on SAAC Click HERE.

While in Orlando, Goodwin and other Division III SAAC members voted on legislation and put together proposal letters to present to the NCAA regarding policies that they were given to vote on and put a voice to in 2018. The SAAC members were also a part of a Special Olympics Event, which is a big partnership for SAAC organizaions nationwide, had students from the Emergence program shadow them and ask questions, gave advice to other school's SAAC organizations on different ideas that have been implemented other places and met with the NCAA president.

"The NCAA Conference was an incredible experience. I was able to network with other SAAC representatives, with the NCAA President and athletic administrators from everywhere." Said Goodwin. "SAAC is an organization that every student-athlete should be a part of. We have such a big voice in the NCAA community and get to be a part of things so much bigger than ourselves." She added.

The Halifax, Massachusetts native will graduate this spring with a degree in Marine Science, Safety and Environmental Protection following her final season with the Buccaneer softball team.