Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a student-athlete organization representing all 21 NCAA Division I teams at Quinnipiac. At its core, SAAC is the bridge between the greater student-athlete population and athletics administration. Our mission expands much broader: we invest in each other because we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We are committed to leading and setting the standard for each other and being the catalysts of change for Quinnipiac Athletics, not only for ourselves but with our future Bobcats in mind. SAAC is at the forefront of enhancing the student-athlete experience and, most importantly, creating connections between all student-athletes.
HAMDEN, Conn. – Quinnipiac University Athletics has announced its Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) leadership group for the 2025-26 season, as announced on Wednesday, Aug. 27. The SAAC group includes 15 student-athletes in total.
Elise Barricelli – President
What's your vision for the student-athlete experience at Quinnipiac?
"I strive to build a culture at Quinnipiac where every student-athlete feels valued, supported, and confident. My focus is on creating opportunities that help people grow not just in their sport, but in life. Everyone has a gift, and everyone can make an impact. Each day, we are raising the standard on and off the field."
Michael Strain – Vice President
How do you plan to bring SAAC's goals to life this year?
"I plan on bringing SAAC's goals to life by being a leader and a role model for student-athletes around me. I plan on building the support system around student athletes both on and off the field."
Yagmur Günes – Secretary
What inspired you to get involved in SAAC, and what does being part of this group mean to you?
"As a dedicated international student-athlete, I wanted to bring more unison to our committee and help enhance overall student-athlete experience in QU campus. Now, as one of the chairs of SAAC I am grateful to be able to put more effort and creative ideas into this committee to achieve our goals and make every student-athlete's experience better and more inclusive."
Matthew McGroarty - QCOOR
Why is giving back to the community important to you as a student-athlete?
"Giving back to the community is important to me because we have a such a great opportunity and platform to give back. We've been fortunate to receive so much support from teammates, coaches, teachers, fans, and the community as a whole, and I believe it's our responsibility to pay that support forward. Getting involved in the community gives us purpose beyond athletics and allows us to use sports to bring people together. It's also a chance to inspire the next generation, build meaningful relationships, and represent our school in a positive way."
Brynne West - QCOOR
Why is giving back to the community important to you as a student-athlete?
"Our community provides Quinnipiac student-athletes with endless amounts of support in a variety of ways, so it is important that we do everything we can to give back and show our gratitude. We value being role models and growing as people outside of just being student-athletes. Plus, spending time giving back is a great way for us to come together and focus on something greater than ourselves."
Kelsey Thomas – Events Chair
What's one event you're excited to improve for student-athletes this year?
"My goal is to continue to create improve on events like the Boomies that not only celebrate athletic achievements, but also builds stronger connections between different sports. I want to bring in more interactive elements, opportunities for recognition beyond performance, and a sense of community that carries into the rest of the year."
Katie Shanahan – Events Chair
What's one event you're excited to improve for student-athletes this year?
"I'm excited to plan Boomies for this upcoming spring! I look forward to adding some backyard games and making it more interactive for all athletes."
Gillian Mason - Experience Chair
What's one change or improvement you'd love to see in the student-athlete experience?
"One improvement I'd love to see in the student-athlete experience is more inter connectedness between all of the Bobcat teams!"
Audrey Everett – Experience Chair
What's one change or improvement you'd love to see in the student-athlete experience?
"I would like to see enhanced career development support for student-athletes, paired with intentional mentorship programs focused on life after sports."
Damla Günes – Co-Inclusion Chair
What are your goals for promoting inclusion and equity within our athletic community this year?
"As DEI, our goal is to ensure every student-athlete feels valued, respected, and supported. This year, we plan to create more opportunities for cultural awareness through open dialogues and events that celebrate diversity within athletes. We also want to work with coaches and administrators to address barriers to equity (if any) whether in resources, leadership roles, or mental health support so that inclusion is felt across every sport at Quinnipiac."
Gabrielle Appiah – Co-Inclusion Chair
What are your goals for promoting inclusion and equity within our athletic community this year?
"To ensure every voice is being heard and acknowledged. To represent all cultures, backgrounds, and walks of life. Being able to learn, connect, and grow within the athletic community while having a great time together."
Sophia Coan – Communications Chair
How do you hope to amplify student-athlete voices through SAAC's platforms this year?
"This year, I want to use my SAAC platform to advocate for the student-athlete community. I aim to strengthen communication between student-athletes and administration while also highlighting the meaningful work athletes are doing both on and off the field. As a Team IMPACT representative, I also hope to increase campus-wide involvement with the organization, fostering deeper connections between athletic teams and the organization. Ultimately my goal is to build a more unified, empowered, and supported athletic community."
Caroline Matyczyk - Communications Chair
How do you hope to amplify student-athlete voices through SAAC's platforms this year?
"This year, my goal is to increase SAAC's presence to become a place where every student-athlete is represented across campus and beyond. Whether through celebrating achievements, sharing behind the scenes moments, or highlighting personal stories, my hope is to continue to create a platform that connects our community and help shape the future of Quinnipiac Athletics."
Kiera Baxter (Kiki) – Social Chair (SGA Initiative)
How do you plan to bridge the gap between student-athletes and the broader student government community?
"As someone who actively serves in both SAAC and SGA, I recognize the challenges and strengths within each group. I plan to create more direct channels of collaboration like joint events, open forums, and shared initiatives that bring both groups to the table. By making student-athlete voices present in broader campus conversations, we ensure decisions reflect the full student experience, not just parts of it."
Grace Hinton – Social Chair (Mental Health Initiative)
Why is mental health advocacy important to you, and how do you hope to impact the student-athlete community this year?
"Mental health advocacy is important to me because I believe it's critical we create a safe space and encourage conversation amongst athletes about mental health. Often as athletes, many things including our mental health fall secondary to performance and external pressures. As president of Morgan's Message, I hope to impact the student athlete community by being a visible and approachable resource. Our meetings encourage peer-led conversations about mental health and the struggles as student athletes, with support from those who understand. Most importantly, I am working to organize workshops and events that work towards breaking the stigma surrounding student athlete mental health and create a culture where vulnerability is seen as strength."
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