The mission of the NCAA Division II SAAC is to enhance the voice of the student-athlete to ensure the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity for all student-athletes; protecting student-athlete welfare; and fostering a positive student-athlete image.
SAAC Leadership Board:
Jacob Mogensen, Football - President
Hanna Baskin, Women's Hockey - Vice President & Social Media
Payton Addink, Volleyball, Community Service Coordinator
Myra Moorjani, Women's Basketball, Secretary
Luke Humbert, Football, Engagement Coordinator
Joey Grillo, Football, Treasurer
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Representatives:
Joshua Brown, Men's Basketball
Clara Van Wieren, Women's Hockey
Green Bandana Representatives:
Megan Gilles, Track & Field
Brynne Folden, Tennis
SAAC Advisor:
Dr. G Lemonedes
SAAC Initiatives
1. Mental Health/Green Bandana Project
The UMD Green Bandana project is a student-athlete-led mental health awareness campaign that was started by the athletic department's SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Committee). Our campaign runs year long and partners with the UMD Athletic Department and other organizations across the campus of the University of Minnesota Duluth. The UMD Green Bandana Project is led by student athletes but reaches out to everyone across the community of Duluth, Minnesota. No longer should people feel the isolation and lack of support that the stigma of mental illness carries.
3 Goals of the UMD Green Bandana Project:
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Decrease the stigma of mental illness within our athletic department and university
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Support those struggling with mental illness and suicidal thoughts
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Spread mental health resources and awareness
We accomplish these goals through our partnership with the UMD Bookstore, where bandanas and awareness wristbands are sold, mental health awareness games (Women's Basketball, Softball, Baseball, Tennis, and Track), and mental health awareness events/partnerships with organizations such as: UMD Counseling Services (Band Together Event), YouMatter (Speak Out Night), UMD Public Health, and the UMD Student Association. In April of 2021, the UMD Green Bandana Project became an official student organization on campus.
Green Bandana - About/Recognition
Instagram
UMD Team Impact Award
Voting for Mental Health
Northland Healthy Minds
Twitter
2. Make-a-Wish
The NCAA DII has partnered with Make-A-Wish Foundation since 2003 to raise money towards granting the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions. Each year, NSIC SAAC groups have held various events on their respective campuses to raise money and support those in need. UMD SAAC annually holds an awareness hockey event to raise money and grant wishes for children in the Northland.
3. Diversity and Inclusion
In 2023, the University of Minnesota Duluth Athletic Department established the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. Their website can be found here. The also NSIC partnered with RISE to provide virtual workshops that will focus on a variety of topics such as implicit bias, perspective taking, and other diversity & inclusion topics. Additionally, virtual sessions that bring together voices from the conference to discuss ways to promote positive change will be provided. Overall, RISE will help the conference and member institutions develop an action plan around diversity & inclusion and social justice.
4. It's a Slam Dunk, Don't Drive Drunk
Late one Saturday night in July of 2012, a drunk driver swerved into oncoming traffic and collided with a car carrying Southwest Minnesota State's head men's basketball coach Brad Bigler, his wife, his wife's grandmother and his five-month old son, Drake. Drake was killed in the crash. In honor of Drake, the NSIC SAAC group has long held the charge of encouraging students and fans to not drink and drive. At designated basketball games, SAAC groups on each campus provide education on driving responsibly and gather the names of individuals who pledge to not drive drunk.
5. It's on Us/One Love Foundation
It's On Us works to educate, engage, and empower students and communities across the country to speak up to end sexual assault. Founded in honor of Yeardly Love, a then-senior at the University of Virginia who was killed by her ex-boyfriend, the One Love Foundation works to educate student-athletes to recognize the warning signs of abuse and teaches them to build healthier relationships. UMD SAAC is committed to increasing awareness that enhances awareness and aids in the prevention of sexual assault and unhealthy relationships.
