CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.org) – Thirty-two student-athletes representing each of the 15 Atlantic Coast Conference member institutions attended the Summer ACC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Meetings last weekend (July 21-23). 

Following introductions and icebreakers, the weekend officially began with participants visiting the Levine Children’s Hospital. The student-athletes met with patients fighting cancer and hosted a bone marrow donor registry drive in partnership with the Project Life Movement (www.projectlifemovement.org). 

“It was an amazing experience to see how much we can impact people,” said Chris Taylor, a rising junior wide receiver on Duke’s football team. “By something as simple as getting your cheek swabbed, you have the potential to change a life – to save a life.” 

During the weekend’s business sessions, student-athletes discussed various NCAA legislative proposals and concepts, including updates on time demands legislation, early recruiting and student-athlete transfers. 

The business sessions also provided the opportunity to set priorities for upcoming academic year. The top priorities for campus SAACs and the ACC SAAC in 2017-18 include active engagement in NCAA legislation review and feedback, improving SAAC awareness and promoting mental health awareness.

“For me personally, this has been a tremendous experience, specifically meeting all of the ACC SAAC reps and hearing what they are doing on their campuses to change the lives of their student-athletes,” said Jaila Tolbert, a junior on the Virginia Tech volleyball team. “Hopefully we will be able to make some changes that will help student-athletes all across the country and hopefully help high school students.”

A leadership development session followed that focused on developing one’s identity and leading with purpose. Monique Smith, founder of Seeds of Empowerment, LLC and Mark Trumbo, Student-Athlete Engagement Coordinator at Syracuse University, led the session.

“They always provide us with new leadership forums, and this year Miss Monique and Mr. Mark were awesome,” said NC State senior Harli Hubbard, a member of the Wolfpack softball team and a 2017 ACC Autonomy Representative. “I actually learned a lot about myself.”

The student-athletes were able to enjoy themselves at TopGolf on Friday night and had a surprise visit to Carowinds amusement park on Saturday night. 

“The fun activities were a blast,” Hubbard said. “Being a softball player, hitting a golf ball was quite the experience. And roller coasters – I’m all about them. I love the adrenaline rush.”

The following student-athletes took part in the 2017 Summer ACC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Meetings:

Ally Frei, Boston College (Softball)

Ray Smith, Boston College (Football)

Emily Radziwon, Clemson (Rowing)

Cordell Lamb, Clemson (Men’s Track)

Chris Taylor, Duke (Football)

Alyssa Chillano, Duke (Field Hockey)

Madison Granger, Duke (Autonomy Rep) 

Jake Urbano, Florida State (Men’s Swimming)

Caroline Nova, Florida State (Women’s Swimming)

Alex Grady, Georgia Tech (Men’s Track)

Ryan McMahon, Louisville (Men’s Basketball)

Tori Gabor, Louisville (Women’s Soccer)

Ainsly Wolfinbarger, Miami (Women’s Soccer)

Michael Robinson, Miami (Men’s Basketball)

Andre Smith, North Carolina (Football)

Taylor Leath, North Carolina (Volleyball)

Harli Hubbard, NC State (Softball, Autonomy Rep)

James Smith-Williams, NC State (Football)

Torin Dorn, NC State (Men’s Basketball)

Rob Whitacre, Notre Dame (Men’s Swimming)

Katie Uhler, Notre Dame (Women’s Soccer)

Brian Popp, Pitt (Football)

Caroline DeFrank, Pitt (Women’s Track)

Miranda Drummond, Syracuse (Women’s Basketball)

Pat Castle, Syracuse (Men’s Soccer)

Lacy Smith, Virginia (Softball)

Holly Sullivan, Virginia (Women’s Track)

Jaila Tolbert, Virginia Tech (Volleyball)

Harrison Pierce, Virginia Tech (Men’s Swimming)

Jordan Banks, Wake Forest (Women’s Track)

Karlee Spirit, Wake Forest (Field Hockey)