The MEAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee held their annual in-person meeting on November 2-3, 2008 at the Oceanfront Sheraton in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Representatives from Bethune-Cookman University, Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Hampton University, Howard University, Morgan State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Norfolk State University, and North Carolina A&T State University were in attendance.
The meeting began after breakfast with an icebreaker and introductions led by Shamaree Brown, MEAC SAAC liaison, and Sonja Stills, Assistant Commissioner. Student-Athletes discussed the goals of the meeting and decided to focus on fundraising, leadership, and improving public awareness about SAAC.
Sonja Stills led the Committee during their discussion of proposed NCAA legislation. Following the NCAA legislative discussion student-athletes had lunch, then played a leadership/team building game.
Student-athletes discussed the new MEAC Sports website and brainstormed about how to improve the SAAC webpage. It was decided to have a directory that included each representative’s picture and a brief bio. Student-athletes also decided to produce a 30 second informational video about the MEAC SAAC to include on the webpage.
Julius Small, Director of Marketing and Corporate Sponsorships for the MEAC, discussed the marketing efforts for MEAC Championships and Basketball Tournament. Student-athletes were able to ask questions and give their input on how to improve the marketing and branding of the MEAC. It was suggested to design save the date t-shirts for the basketball tournament for SAAC members to wear around campus, and also to provide SAAC with two ticket books to use for promotions.
Student-athletes got the chance to discuss MEAC Championships. The major topic during this discussion was on the receptions/socials that are taking place this year instead of the traditional banquets. SAAC felt that the receptions were good for Cross Country and Track & Field, but would like to have more of a mix between a banquet and social for the other sports in which awards are distributed. It was also mentioned that coaches do not want their players doing a lot of socializing before a competition.
Sonja Stills spoke to the committee about the MEAC Strategic Plan and the objectives that affected student development. Student-athletes then begin to discuss best practice and ways to improve their current campus SAAC.
After a day of conversation, the MEAC SAAC went to play Laser Tag and to dinner in Virginia Beach.
On Monday, November 3, the meeting began with breakfast and more discussion about best practices, which included fundraising and leadership. Commissioner Thomas was then introduced to the MEAC SAAC. He spoke to the group about various topics, including working to be excellent and becoming an effective leader.
Member of the MEAC SAAC then went to the Samaritan House’s Horizons Apartments for a community service initiative. The MEAC SAAC donated $1,000 to the Samaritan House, which was raised through the MEAC SAAC Penny Drive. The winner of the Penny Drive was Coppin State University with $360.11; in second place was Hampton University with $255.15; and in third was the University of Maryland Eastern Shore with $157.30.
The two-day meeting ended with lunch, closing remarks, and a final video shot for the MEAC SAAC informational video.