ST. JOSEPH, Minn. -- Bringing student-athletes together to give back on campus and in the community beyond is the concept that guides the work undertaken by the College of Saint Benedict's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
 
"Our main goal is to help make the student-athlete experience the best it can be and to be a voice for CSB athletes," said senior soccer player Cecelia Miller, the co-president of the group for the 2022-23 academic year. "Our focus has become both building up our Bennie Nation community and serving the community around us."
 
With a commitment to servant leadership, SAAC is currently made up of 14 student-athletes representing the broad spectrum of varsity sports at CSB. The group typically meets every six weeks. It annually hosts a first-year student orientation event each fall to welcome new athletes to campus. Representatives also plan Bennie Game Day events to try and drive up attendance at home athletic events.
 
They also sponsor toy, clothing and food drives throughout the school year and SAAC's annual Zumbathon raises money for Special Olympics. Beyond that, the group also regularly takes on topics like mental health among student-athletes, leadership growth and development and upcoming issues in both the MIAC and NCAA. And, during NCAA DIII Week during April 10-14, SAAC has been active in social media showcasing CSB programs and student-athletes.
 
"My hope is that each SAAC member finds a way to strengthen their voice and improve their capacity to lead," said CSB head athletic trainer Erin Ross, the group's advisor. "Whether that's in the classroom or on their athletic team. We want to empower our women student-athletes to feel that they can be a valuable and impactful member of the CSB and greater community."
 
Tori Szathmary first heard SAAC when the senior on the Bennie basketball team arrived on campus as a first year in the fall of 2019. And, from the start, she was interested in being part of the group.
 
"(Then senior point guard) Sidney Schiffler was the co-president that year and that really inspired me," Szathmary said. "Then, my sophomore year, (forward) Maddie Schmitz was the president and she really encouraged me to get involved. So when Erin reached out and gave me the opportunity, I jumped at it."
 
Szathmary has been involved ever since.
 
"The best part of SAAC for me is the feeling of being able to give back to the Saint Ben's community which has become such an important part of my life," Szathmary said. "Being able to contribute and to help other athletes feel more comfortable and at home here is something I really enjoy being part of."
 
Both Szathmary and Miller said SAAC builds bridges between the different varsity sports CSB offers.
 
"Simply being in a group that mixes (athletes) from every sport has allowed me to meet girls I may not have if it wasn't for SAAC," Miller said. "They become more friendly faces to say 'hi' to on campus, to cheer on from the stands or to learn from and encourage."