SMU Announces 2020-21 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Board

SMU Announces 2020-21 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Board

Jun 16 | Equestrian, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Soccer, Men's Swimming & Diving, Men's Tennis, Rowing, Women's Basketball, Cross Country, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Swimming & Diving, Women's Tennis, Volleyball, Track & Field, Student-Athlete Success, SMU Mustang Club

DALLAS (SMU) – The SMU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has selected its 2020-21 Executive Board and chosen Ashton Woods from Track & Field as SAAC President.

Woods is joined on the executive board by Justin Thompson of Men's Golf, Executive Vice President for Internal Affairs; Cassie Ackemann from Track and Field, VP for Communications; Meryn Kennedy from Volleyball, VP for External Affairs/Diversity & Inclusion Council Liaison; and Elise Johnson from Women's Swimming & Diving, VP for Campus Relations/Student Senate. All five members of the executive committee also served on SAAC in 2019-20.

"I am honored to be voted SAAC President, and excited to step into my new role," stated Woods. "This year, I want to see SAAC continue to increase its role both within the Athletics community and within the greater Dallas community, while continuing to provide support to all of our student-athletes. We've already started working, and I know it's going to be a great year."

"Led by Andre Harris, director of student-athlete development, and the 2019-20 SAAC leadership, the 2020-21 SAAC Board has been appointed, and once again, the individuals serving in this capacity are among our most impressive and dedicated student-athletes," said Director of Athletics Rick Hart. "The SAAC will play an even greater role this year as we move forward with initiatives related to social injustice and COVID-19, in addition to priorities identified by other student-athletes. We look forward to partnering with the SAAC Board to leverage the platform college athletics provides for the betterment of our community."

SAAC Includes student-athletes representing all 17 sports at SMU, and provides insight on the student-athlete experience. The committee also offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAA member institution campuses.

2020-21 SMU SAAC Executive Committee
Ashton Woods – President
Justin Thompson – Executive Vice President for Internal Affairs
Cassie Ackemann – VP for Communications
Meryn Kennedy – VP for External Affairs/Diversity & Inclusion Council Liaison
Elise Johnson – VP for Campus Relations/Student Senate

2020-21 SMU SAAC Voting Members
Thomas Haney - Men's Soccer
Tobin Shanks - Men's Soccer
Courtney Sebazco - Women's Soccer
Hannah Allred - Women's Soccer
Katherine Jakeway - Women's Tennis
Nicole Petchey - Women's Tennis
Stephen Cheng - Men's Swimming & Diving
Petar Bozhilov - Men's Swimming & Diving
Jadyn Bauss - Volleyball
Meryn Kennedy - Volleyball
Justin Thompson - Men's Golf
Edul Chinoy - Men's Golf
Addison Iliria - Rowing
Peyton Matthews - Rowing
Ariana Whitfield - Women's Basketball
Florence Tshimanga - Women's Basketball
Madison Kinsey - Women's Swimming & Diving
Elise Johnson - Women's Swimming & Diving
Mallory Vroegh - Equestrian
Megan Waldron - Equestrian
Jan-Simon Vrbsky - Men's Tennis
Huntley Allen - Men's Tennis
Cassie Ackemann - Cross Country/Track & Field
Ashton Woods - Cross Country/Track & Field
Judah Bell - Football
Matt Dorrity - Football
Megan Daleo - Women's Golf
Sophie DiGesualdo - Women's Golf
William Douglas - Men's Basketball
Everett Ray - Men's Basketball