The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at California State University, Stanislaus (Stan State) has been building their reputation by giving back to the community with countless fundraisers, while meeting with other conferences every three weeks to vote on legislation that affects student-athletes.
SAAC focuses on not only enhancing collegiate careers in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), but also creates more well-rounded student-athletes.
Chelsea Lewandowski (post-graduate, Psychology), President of SAAC and Women’s Soccer player, had just rushed to campus from Modesto where she was helping with one of their current campaigns for National Anti-Bullying Month.
Throughout the month of October, SAAC has been hosting an anti-bullying campaign where student-athletes have been reaching out to local elementary schools and presenting their stance on anti-bullying.
“A few of the student-athletes got together and created an assembly so we’re pretty much just going out and talking about different types of bullying, what they can do to prevent it,” Lewandowski said.
“It’s a really great experience for the athletes and it’s a really good experience for the kids because we’re trying to show them like, a team vibe.”
Because the NCAA’s primary philanthropy is the Make-a-Wish Foundation, each school in the conference raises money through various fundraisers to donate to the charity and compete to see who can raise the most.
“We just found out that this last weekend that we raised the most money per student-athlete at our school so we get to host a Make-a-Wish reveal on campus,” Lewandowski said.
“We don’t know the details yet about the date, but it’s going to be soon and we’re going to hear from the NCAA and they’re going to send a kid out and we get to grant them their wish so it’s like really exciting.”
University of California, San Diego raised the most money, but Stan State had accumulated the most per student-athlete.
“We want to raise as much money as we can for Make-a-Wish because it is a really great cause but we also want to reach out to other parts of the community as well, just to do our part and help people out that need it,” said Lewandowski
SAAC has participated in selling Olive Garden tickets for the National Student-Athlete Advisory Commitee in order to raise funds. Last year they sold discount cards, which racked up a little over $1,000.
Lewandowski credits Associated Student Incorporated (ASI) for their huge help.
“We’ve partnered up with ASI during homecoming, like when they [students] go to the pizza place [Pizza Factory], that money would go to Make-a-Wish. ASI really helps us out with that and helps us support the Make-a-Wish Foundation,” said Lewandowski.
As for ASI President Nicole Larsen (junior, Criminal Justice), her experience with SAAC was fulfilling and is proud with how far it has came.
“SAAC gave me an opportunity to collaborate with other leaders in athletics, whether is is rallying for support on issues or having enthusiastic student-athletes present at community outreach events,” Larsen said.
Soon, the committee will be accepting canned food as part of another competition with the NCAA.
“It has grown so much over the years, we are now very visible in the community and around campus. Chelsea is doing an awesome job leading the efforts.
If you would like to show your support for Stan State’s athletes or be apart of one of their fundraisers, Lewandowski encourages students to attend their meetings, donate to their fundrasiers and for clubs and organizations to contact her.
For more information about SAAC and the reputable Warrior Athletes, go here.