Annual CAA SAAC Leadership Summit Gets Underway On Thursday
Rob Washburn
RICHMOND, Va. (June 14, 2023) – The CAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will conduct its annual Leadership Summit in person for the first time since 2019 from June 15-17 in Richmond, Va.
The meeting includes 28 student-athletes representing all 14 CAA institutions along with several school administrators and members of the conference staff. Due to the CoVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was held via Zoom over the past few years. This year’s group of student-athletes represents 15 different sports.
Summit participants will have the opportunity to share insights regarding the student-athlete experience and give their opinions on a variety of national and conference issues. Making presentations are Dr. Jarrod Spencer, a sports psychologist, and Lauren Wickland, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Leadership and Student-Athlete Services at the University of Richmond. The group will also hear from Towson University volleyball player Asia Goins, who is the CAA’s National SAAC representative.
On Friday afternoon, the group will tour the Holocaust Museum in Richmond. With antisemitic incidents in the United States at their highest levels in 50 years, the museum trip will set the stage for a broader discussion on the best way to curb discrimination that is occurring on college campuses.
In addition to their meetings, student-athletes will participate in a community service activity as they create cards for hospitalized children. The group will also film a public service announcement that will air on telecasts of CAA sporting events during the 2023-24 season.
CAA SAAC Leadership Summit Participants
Kaleigh Backlund, Women’s Soccer – Campbell
Mahlon Dyer, Football – Campbell
Grace Powell, Women’s Soccer – Charleston
Isaiah Rainge, Baseball – Charleston
Alexander Villas, Football – Delaware
Kylie Walbert, Field Hockey – Delaware
Tommy Pennimpede, Men’s Swimming - Drexel
Jordyn Travis, Field Hockey – Drexel
Bo Sanders, Football – Elon
Daniel Banister, Men’s Basketball – Hampton
Emily Workman, Softball – Hampton
Olivia Malinowski, Softball – Hofstra
Bella Pisapia, Softball – Hofstra
Lauren Bruno, Women’s Soccer – Monmouth
Madison Perna, Women’ Soccer – Monmouth
Joy Harris, Women’s Track & Field – North Carolina A&T
Nathaniel Spindle, Football – North Carolina A&T
Ryan Hunt, Men’s Track & Field – UNCW
Makaya Parham, Women’s Soccer – UNCW
Luke Beckstein, Baseball – Northeastern
Sydney Rusnock, Field Hockey – Northeastern
Eric Shu, Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field – Stony Brook
Sabrina Spezia, Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field – Stony Brook
Patrick Coyle, Football – Towson
Asia Goins, Volleyball – Towson
Rayab Lee, Women’s Golf – Towson
Trenton Peazant, Men’s Gymnastics – William & Mary
Lauren Rothstein, Women’s Lacrosse – William & Mary
School Administrators
Danielle Brown, Charleston
Alexandra DiFelice, Delaware
Peaches Brown, Drexel
Aaron Mellette, Elon
Somer Kelly, Hampton
Becky Considine, Hofstra
Arnise King, Monmouth
Jaime Mangold, UNCW
Lisa Markland, Northeastern
Arnika Edwards, Stony Brook
Antwaine Smith, Towson
Jasmine Perkins, William & Mary
Jason Simms, William & Mary
CAA Staff
Joe D’Antonio, Commissioner
Jennifer Condaras, Deputy Commissioner
John Heck, Associate Commissioner – Compliance & Governance
Steven Kanaby, Associate Commissioner – Sports Administration
Jamie Greer, Assistant Commissioner – Digital Engagement & Social Promotion
Donna Parker, Director – Compliance & Student-Athlete Services
Karlie Smith, Director – Digital Engagement & Social Promotion