PITTSBURGH, Pa. - - A group of Wilmington University Wildcats attended the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Super Region Convention from April 14-16 in Pittsburgh. 

The event brought participants together from the Atlantic and East regions to develop plans to better support mental health and the student-athlete voice on their campuses and in their conferences. 

In attendance for the Wildcats was Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Stefanie Whitby, Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) National Representative and baseball student-athlete Scott Borgmann, and volleyball representative Brice Hansen, who hope to bring what they learned back to Wilmington and expand on those ideas.

"It was a blessing to be a part of the convention," Wilmington's first ever National SAAC Representative Scott Borgmann said. "Not only because of the people I met but the things I learned and seeing how much we as athletes mean to people who aren't able to do what we do because of a disability or illness (children from Make-A-Wish and Team IMPACT)".

During the three-day convention, participants engaged with experts in leadership, mental health, social justice and the student-athlete voice. Each day included a project planning session on mental health or the student-athlete voice, culminating with project presentations on the final day. Attendees left with plans of action to bring back to their campuses. 

"This experience changed the way I looked at collegiate sports," freshman outside hitter Brice Hansen said. "The SAAC Super Regional Convention really created an open environment where we were free to be our authentic selves. I made so many friends who are facing similar challenges to me, and making friends with similar hardships is so valuable in this time of life. I met so many cool people and it was such a cool experience!".

Although the convention saw many presenters and speakers, Scott Borgmann was in awe of the Make-A-Wish recipient, who shared the impact of her wish reveal, and members of a Team IMPACT family, who talked about their experience with East Stroudsburg's softball team, and the impact student-athletes have on others.

"I would say my biggest takeaway, other than meeting the NCAA President and establishing a relationship with him, was being able to relay information I learned from the Make-A-Wish and Team IMPACT individuals. I wanted to remind everyone of how blessed we really are to be doing what we do (in collegiate athletics) and how there are so many people who want to be in our shoes".

Brice Hansen said, "I learned that so many people a struggling with the challenges of being a collegiate athlete. However, we are never alone in that struggle and if we just open up to each other, we can overcome our challenges. I hope to bring back valuable information about what SAAC is and what it has the potential to do for our University".

This event was Division II's fifth SAAC Super Region Convention since the initiative began in 2017. The next gathering is planned for Nov. 17-19 in Atlanta. It will welcome attendees from Conference Carolinas, the Gulf South Conference, Peach Belt Conference, South Atlantic Conference, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Sunshine State Conference, and the super region's independent schools. 

Link to a few photos of the Convention: https://wildcats.athletics.wilmu.edu/general/2022-23/photos/0001/index