April 20, 2012
SUNYAC SAAC Meeting Focuses on Leadership and Ethics
The SUNYAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) held its annual spring meeting on Thursday April 19 at Holiday Inn- Liverpool, NY with a focus on leadership and ethics. Each of the SUNYAC's 10 member institutions were represented with student-athletes and advisors as well as representatives from Special Olympics.
Oneonta Associate Athletic Director, Brian Jester, opened with a presentation on ‘Expectations of Ethical Conduct and Sportsmanship in SUNYAC student-athletes’. He stressed the importance of the way student-athletes conduct themselves not only on the field but also in class and around campus is how they are choosing to representing your team. The little things like tucking in your jersey, arriving on time, thanking the bus driver, etc... All make a difference.
The group transitioned from Ethics into leadership led by Associate Athletic Director at The College at Brockport, Susan Hoffman. She spoke about a Leadership Summit that the Empire 8 conference hosted and she was afforded the opportunity to observe. Following a discussion about the logistics and possible hot topics to plan around SUNYAC SAAC is interested in hosting its own summit as a way to expand our current meeting structure. The student-athletes would like more time to network, develop action plans, talk about key issues and work on team building. “Ultimately we as a conference want to prepare our student-athletes with the experience and practical knowledge to build on as they move forward,” said Hoffman.
During the afternoon session Stuart Robinson, SUNY New Paltz athletic director challenged the student-athletes to define leadership and the challenges of leadership. Robinson stated that leadership starts with your value system and provided them with several scenarios involving team captains, seniors and underclassman and had them discuss how they would handle or react to the situation. He left the group with the seven E’s of leadership:
ENGAGE: Engage with those you lead in order for them to trust you that you care and want to believe in you. Leadership is a contact sport.
EDUCATE: Help every member earn an A. Educate them for success.
EQUIP: Equip those you lead. Create an environment and provide proper resources and the proper tools- physical, mental, and emotional for the team to be successful.
ENCOURAGE: Take every opportunity to encourage the people you lead.
EMPOWER: Once your team is ready, stop teaching and let them “take the test.” Empower them by letting go.
ENERGIZE: Energize your team’s efforts by believing in them. The energy to go forward and then inspiration to achieve will come from you.
ELEVATE: Leaders produce leaders. This regeneration is the principle of elevation- raising people up.
Special Olympic representatives Shelly Nagle and Cassandra Rucker along with athlete Kayla McKeon joined the SAAC for the afternoon. McKeon addressed the group with an update on what she has done with Special Olympics in the past year. Nagle and Rucker talked about the importance of volunteers at their events as well as those who volunteer to fundraise and host clinics. Each school had the opportunity to give an update on how they have become involved with the national Division III Special Olympics partnership. A range of events included polar plunge, clinics, bowling nights, basketball games, auction fundraisers, serving as volunteers for the winter games and more.
“It is clear that the partnership with Special Olympics has been fully embraced by SUNYAC and hopefully the involvement continues to grow,” said SUNYAC Assistant Commissioner Janelle Feuz said. “The energy that the student-athletes are bringing to the partnership is encouraging.”
McKeon also took part in a series of ‘minute to win it’ activities with the SAAC. Even in a minute each competitor’s ability was demonstrated to the fullest while others cheered, laughed and offered words of encouragement.
The College at Brockport
Ellen Story
Susan Hoffman-Advisor
Ellen Story
Susan Hoffman-Advisor
Buffalo State
Rio Flynn
Rio Flynn
Caitlin Barber
Casey Kacz
Dan Allen-Advisor
Cortland
Samantha George
Samantha George
Kelly Wanser
Ashley Whiting - Advisor
Alice Kahrs –Advisor
Alice Kahrs –Advisor
Fredonia
David Ballard
David Ballard
Nicholas Watson
Megan Valentine-Advisor
Megan Valentine-Advisor
Geneseo
Abe Miller
Abe Miller
New Paltz
Caitlin Irwin
Zoe Cohen
Keith Kenney-Advisor
Caitlin Irwin
Zoe Cohen
Keith Kenney-Advisor
Stuart Robinson – Athletic Director
Oneonta
Alex Miller
Alex Miller
Jackie Haight
Brian Jester- Advisor
Brian Jester- Advisor
Oswego
Patrick Breen
Diane Dillon - Advisor
Patrick Breen
Diane Dillon - Advisor
Plattsburgh
Jessica Paquette
Samantha Fasciano
Cameron Conover – Advisor
Jessica Paquette
Samantha Fasciano
Cameron Conover – Advisor
Potsdam
Hannah Kmiecinski
Tara Ruckh – Advisor
Hannah Kmiecinski
Tara Ruckh – Advisor
SUNYAC
Commissioner Damore
Commissioner Damore
Janelle Feuz
Special Olympics New York
Shelly Nangle
Cassandra Rucker
Kayla McKean
Special Olympics New York
Shelly Nangle
Cassandra Rucker
Kayla McKean
