NEC Athletic Mission Statement
NEC athletics bases its philosophy on the premise that athletics is an integral part of the overall education experience, and that all students should achieve in the classroom to the best of their abilities. Student-athletes will achieve growth physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially through participation in sport. NEC’s athletic programs strive for the development of teams and individual excellence. Our teams should provide a sense of spirit, community, and pride to students, faculty, staff, friends, and alumnae/alumni. All teams, student-athletes, coaches, and staff members should strive to exhibit the values of fair play, sportsmanship, gender equity, and true respect for self and others that will enable the institution to provide the best amateur athletic experience possible.
NEC SAAC
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at New England College is a group of student-athletes who work to provide an inclusive community involving students, athletes, and surrounding Henniker community members. The focus of SAAC is citizenship, community involvement, and providing a student-athlete “voice” within the athletic department and throughout the NEC campus. SAAC also provides the opportunity for deserving student-athletes to be involved with NCAA governance by providing input into policies that pertain to college athletics.
Activities and organizations NEC SAAC are involved with:
- Teddy Bear Toss
- Special Olympics
- Henniker Food Pantry
- Support the Troops
- Pep Rally’s
- Blood Drives
- End of Year Athletic Banquet
Though the focus of campus SAACs is intended to be more parochial, communication among campus and national SAACs offers student-athletes the opportunity to shape the landscape of intercollegiate athletics.
Functions of campus SAACs:
•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 conference 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.
Members of a campus SAAC have the opportunity to address issues affecting student-athletes at their institution; furthermore, members have the opportunity to offer input on issues that may be national in scope.
The campus committee is meant to serve as a local student-athlete voice in addressing issues of student-athlete welfare at their respective institutions. Campus committees can facilitate better communication among student-athletes from various athletics teams to address issues common to all.
The campus SAAC may also serve 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 issue that may be relevant to NCAA student-athletes.
Through the grass-roots efforts of campus SAACs, student-athletes have the opportunity to change the face of intercollegiate athletics.
Role of national SAAC representative at the campus level:
• Attend campus meetings
• Work with campus SAAC to identify campus student-athlete well-being issues.
• Work with university staff and student-athletes to address those issues.
• Carry campus issues to the conference and national SAAC.
• Carry national issues and information to the campus SAAC.
