GORHAM, Maine – University of Southern Maine Department of Athletics' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will host its first meeting of the 2021-22 academic year on Day, September 17 at 7:00 pm in the Alumni Reception Center in the USM Ice Arena. Interested student-athletes are invited to attend and join one of the strongest student-organizations on campus. After the initial in-person meeting on September 17, the group will meet bi-weekly via Zoom.
A student-led organization comprised of members from each of USM's 22 intercollegiate teams, Huskies' SAAC, serves as a liaison between the student-athlete body and the Department of Athletics. SAAC meets on a bi-weekly basis to discuss issues relevant to student-athletes, works to improve the USM student-athlete experience, and seeks to build a greater connection between all of the Huskies' teams and the greater Gorham Community.
The 2021-22 Huskies' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is directed by its leadership: president
Hannah Shields, Softball (Buckfield, Maine), vice president
Michelle Rowe, Women's Basketball (Gorham, Maine); secretary
Sophia Slovenski, Women's Track & Field, Volleyball (Cape Neddick, ME / Phillips Academy); treasurer
Rona Scott, Softball (Beverly, Mass.), and SAAC Advisor and Women's Basketball Head Coach
Samantha Norris.
"Our student-athletes are very active within the USM and surrounding communities," noted Norris. "SAAC's success is dependent upon the hard work and commitment of our student-athletes. It's their dedication to fostering positive relationships with various community members, and the initiative and drive of our leadership groups past and present that have benefitted projects like our Unified Sports Program and our Community Halloween Party. Through their involvement with SAAC, our student-athlete members learn leadership skills, and gain an understanding that they have a powerful voice on campus, which can make a significant impact in the lives of others as well as in the student-athlete experience."
Nationally-recognized for its on-going and one-time community service projects and events, Huskies' SAAC has earned numerous awards since its creation in 1996, beginning with the USM's Outstanding Student Organization Award and the Josten's NADIIAA Community Service Merit Award.
Most recently in 2019, In USM SAAC earned the top honor from the National Association of Division III Athletic Directors (NADIIIAA) for its Unified Sports Program with the inaugural honor of the NADIIIAA Community Service Award for Special Olympics Activity. The Huskies' Unified Sports Program adheres to the Special Olympics model of promoting social inclusion through sport. USM SAAC achieves this through offering weekly "skills and drills" sessions and social activities with area Maine Special Olympic Athletes and Southern Maine student-athletes.
Honored by the University as well, Huskies' SAAC received USM's Contribution to Community Service Award in 2017, earning the accolade for three consecutive academic years (2017, 2016, 2015). And in 2018, SAAC's Kick the Stigma kickball tournament was named the University's event of the year, and received a national citation from the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators in for its Mental Health Awareness events and programing. Since the 2000-2001 academic year Huskies' SAAC has now been honored with the Josten's/NADIIIAA Community Service award on 14 separate occasions.
During the 2020-2021 academic year faced with the challenges of COVID-19, social distancing and online learning environments, Huskies' SAAC sought out ways to bring the student-athlete body together in a positive manner. Looking towards the future and in alignments with USM Athletics' Five Pillars (Academic Achievement, Athletic Excellence, Personal Development, Service to Community and Professional Growth), Huskies' SAAC partnered with USM's Career & Employment Hub to create "Husky Pack Chat" – a series of progressive informational sessions tailored specifically to student-athletes to help prepare them as they take their first steps in a job search or career exploration. These sessions ranged from resume writing and interview preparedness to alumni connection meetings in a variety of career paths and academic pursuits.
"Husky Pack Chats are a tremendous way for our student-athletes to begin their career search," said Associate Director of Athletics Kimberly Turner. "Whether our student-athletes are freshman seeking their first summer internship, applying for their first part-time job, or our student-athletes who are preparing to transition into their full-time careers, the USM Career & Employment Hub does a great job preparing student-athletes in all facets of a job hunt from resume building, to how to market their experiences and transferable skills to potential employers."
Shields, a Nursing major, earned Little East Conference All-Rookie honors in 2020 after helping the Huskies' softball team to a record-breaking season that included the program's first regular season Little East Conference Championship since the 1999 season and the program's first NCAA bid in 22 seasons. This summer, Shields took part in the NCAA's 2021 Student-Athlete Leadership Training (SALT) – a program designed to help student-athlete leaders develop their voice and style in leadership roles.
In her third year as an officer with Huskies' SAAC, Rowe is a four-year member of the women's basketball team and a three-time William B. Wise Scholar Athlete A Nursing major, Rowe was a part of the 2020 SAAC Leadership group that was recognized by the University for their outstanding contributions to campus life. Over her career, Rowe has played a significant role in the administration and planning of several of SAAC's service oriented and awareness initiatives, including mental health initiatives, Husky Community Halloween Party, and Huskies' Unified Sports programming. Rowe has also served as the committee's Little East Conference SAAC representative.
A Health Science major, Slovenski is an NCAA National Champion in the javelin and an All-American in both the javelin and pole vault. A two-sport student-athlete, Slovenski is also a member of the Huskies volleyball team. This past spring, in addition to her national title, Slovenski earned first team CoSIDA Academic All-American honors. Slovenski is the second member of the women's track and field / cross country program to be honored as an Academic All-American, joining 2012 recipient Molly Carl among the list of honorees. Slovenski is also just the second woman to earn a National Championship, joining Peyton Dostie who won the indoor pentathlon in 2016.
A first team All-Little East Conference selection as a member of the Huskies' softball team, Scott hit .300 (27-for-90) with 26 RBI, and led the LEC in put outs (187) and double-plays turned (10). A Biology Education major, Scott earned a spot on the 2021 LEC All-Academic Team, and joined Shields as a participant in the NCAA's 2021 Student-Athlete Leadership Training program. Scott also serves as a liaison for SAAC with the Huskies' Student-Athlete Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (SADIE) Committee.
Heading into her seventh season at the helm of the Huskies' women's basketball program, Norris earned the University's Outstanding Student Organization Advisor award in 2019 and 2020 and was presented with the University's President's Award for Community Engagement in 2017. Named to the Women's Basketball Coaches' Association (WBCA) Thirty Under 30 list in 2018, and the Coach and Athletic Director Magazine Sports 40 Under 40 in 2019, Norris has recognized for her efforts in community service and classroom engagement in 2018 with the Donald Harward Award for Faculty Service Learning. Norris has her Master's in Exercise and Sport Studies from Smith College, and earned her undergraduate degree in Adminstrative Science from Colby where she was a captain of the women's basketball team.
| Awards and Honors |
| 2000-2001 |
USM Outstanding Student Organization Award, Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Award of Merit |
| 2002-2003 |
Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Award of Merit |
| 2003 |
USM Outstanding Student Organization Award |
| 2003-2004 |
Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Award of Merit |
| 2004-2005 |
Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Award of Merit |
| 2005-2006 |
Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Award of Merit |
| 2006-2007 |
USM Outstanding Student Organization Award, Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Award of Merit |
| 2008 |
USM Outstanding Student Organization Award, USM Outstanding Contribution to Community Service Award |
| 2009 |
USM Outstanding Contribution to Community Service Award |
| 2010-2011 |
Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Honorable Mention (Array of Projects Category) |
| 2012-2013 |
Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Honorable Mention (On-going Project Category) |
| 2013-2014 |
Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Honorable Mention (On-going Project Category) |
| 2015 |
USM Outstanding Contribution to Community Service Award |
| 2016 |
USM Outstanding Contribution to Community Service Award |
| 2017 |
USM Outstanding Contribution to Community Service Award |
| 2018 |
USM Event of the Year Award |
| 2018 |
Josten's NADIIIAA Community Service Honorable Mention (One-Time Project Category). |
| 2019 |
NADIIIAA Community Service Award Winner (Special Olympics Activity Category) |
| 2019 |
NADIIIAA Community Service Award of Merit (Array of Projects Category) |
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