The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a committee made up of representatives from all intercollegiate sports at Saint Leo University. At least one representative from each sport assemble to provide insight on the student-athlete experience. The SAAC also offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on the Saint Leo campus.
The SAAC is meant to serve as a local student-athlete voice in addressing issues of student-athlete welfare on our campus. It facilitates better communication among student-athletes from various athletics teams to address issues common to all.
The Saint Leo SAAC also serves as a conduit of communication among student-athletes, coaches and athletics administrators on issues to improve the student-athlete experience and promote growth and education through sports participation. Concerns can be voiced and solutions offered regarding any issues that may be national in scope and relevant to NCAA student-athletes.
Saint Leo SAAC helped celebrate the 2025 Christmas season at the annual Dade City Christmas Parade in downtown Dade City.Â
Saint Leo SAAC 2025-26Â Executive Board Members
President -Â Kristina Arwady, Women's Soccer
Vice President - Joey Graham, Men's Lacrosse
Secretary - Olivia Purdy, Women's Lacrosse
Treasurer - Kaylee Banks, Acrobatics & Tumbling
Social Chair - Alexandra Warchausky, Women's Tennis
Social Chair - Tajma Muharemovic, Volleyball
Advisors: Jesse VerVelde (Assistant Athletic Director of Internal Operations), Caitlin Hansen (Head Women's Lacrosse Coach), Michael Hayeck (Manager of Athletic Communications)Â
| TEAM |
2025-26Â SAAC MEMBERS |
| Acrobatics & Tumbling |
Jessica Santiago, Kyra Walker |
| Baseball |
Thomas Debrower, Jake Carrillo |
| Beach Volleyball |
Emma Laade, Erin Johnson |
| Basketball, Men |
Owen Pawlikowski, Camden Cerese |
| Basketball, Women |
Olivia Agunzo, Hallie Bailey |
| Golf, Men |
Enzo Barbaglia, Piero Rojas |
| Golf, Women |
Maya Cote, Ana Valentina-Guarderas |
| Lacrosse, Men |
Anderson Smith, Jake Sudaley |
| Lacrosse, Women |
Olivia Purdy, Carly Bitner |
| Soccer, Men |
Anel Crnac, William Gregory |
| Soccer, Women |
Ainsley Meyer, Rhyanne Pascoe |
| Softball |
Nia DeBenedittis, Tierney Hocquard |
| Tennis, Men |
Timothy Barrow, Joel Stubbock |
| Tennis, Women |
Alexandra Warchausky, Camila Keller |
| Volleyball |
Giada Solorzano, Effie Emigh |
| Cross Country, Men |
Nolan Robillard, Isaiah Ramcharitar |
| Cross Country, Women |
Jasmine Fajardo, Chelsea Silva |
| Track, Men |
Jalen Falcon, Joshua Warren |
| Track, Women |
Giuliana Adonteng, Gianna Smith |
| Soccer Reserves, Men |
Daniel Ramirez |
| Soccer Reserves, Women |
Cora Charron, Mackenzie Slack |
| Baseball Reserves |
Liam Smith |
| Basketball Reserves, Men |
Marcelo Jimenez |
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Functions of the Saint Leo University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
- Promote communication between athletics administration and student-athletes
- Disseminate information
- Provide feedback and insight into athletics department issues
- Generate a student-athlete voice within the campus athletics department formulation of policies
- Build a sense of community within the athletics program involving all athletics teams
- Solicit student-athlete responses to proposed conferences and NCAA legislation
- Organize community service efforts
- Create a vehicle for student-athlete representation on campus-wide committees (e.g. student government)
- Promote a positive student-athlete image on campus
Responsibilities for Committee Representatives
- Attend all committee meetings and activities
- If unable to attend, select a responsible alternate team representative
- Represent team views at committee meetings. Team representatives must talk to their teammates about issues or projects that will be discussed
- Report to the team and the coach on the committee meetings and distribute the minutes of the meeting
- Organize team members to help with special projects like "Make a Wish"
- Help plan and set up annual awards banquet
