Hey Hawks fans!

Hopefully the New Year is off to a good start for all of you.  This week, I am writing this column from Indianapolis.  I am attending the 2012 NCAA Convention as part of the National Student Athlete Advisory Committee on behalf of Chowan University, the CIAA and Division II student-athletes.

National SAAC began their meetings on Monday.  We discussed major speaking points that we will present to our conference administration later in the week and worked on our speeches to present to the membership. Towards the end of the Convention, representatives (including college President’s, Chancellors, Senior Woman Administrators, Athletic Directors, Compliance Directors etc.)  from each Division II institution will meet to vote on proposed legislation changes.

The role of the National SAAC is to speak on behalf of all Division II student-athletes in regards to how we would like to see the membership vote on a particular issue.  We are called upon to speak on the Convention floor and present our reasoning for why we feel it would benefit student-athletes if they vote in a particular way.  This is a big honor for us to have this opportunity, and it’s incredible to see the impact the student-athlete voice can have in deciding the outcome of legislation.

In between preparing for the Business Session of the Convention and speaking to various representatives from the NCAA and our respective conference we have had the chance to attend various educational sessions.

We heard from speakers including: Michigan State Quarterback Kirk Cousins, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, President Gregory Howard Williams from the University of Cincinnati, and NCAA President Mark Emmert just to name a few.  Having the opportunity to listen to these speakers was really cool, and we were definitely grateful to get the chance to hear them speak.

On Saturday, the Business Session will take place and the voting will occur.  A few of the proposals are centered around the recruiting process.  If they pass, they will significantly impact the recruiting process for prospective student athletes.

Overall, my first experience at the NCAA Convention has been very positive.  I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to represent the student-athletes at the Division II level, and to play an active role in Division II athletics.

Switching gears, CIAA play is underway for both the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams.  On Thursday night, both teams fell to Winston Salem State.  They look to rebound from these losses on Saturday as they take on Shaw University at 1 p.m. and 4:05 p.m. respectively.  The men’s game (at 4:05) will be broadcasted by The Sky 4/Urban Sports and Entertainment Group.  Come support your hometown Hawks!

Finally, CU seniors Ransheda Jennings and Lee Branscome have been nominated for the CIAA Lowe’s Senior CLASS award.  This is a very prestigious award given to two senior student-athletes that exemplify leadership on the court, in the classroom, and their respective communities.

Fans have an opportunity to vote for their player of choice at www.seniorCLASSaward.com/ciaa.  Having said that: go to the website and vote for Jennings and Branscome!   The complete list of nominees is listed on our website: www.gocuhawks.com.  A panel of coaches and input from the media is also considered when selecting the winner.

Go HAWKS!

 

Allie Kolezynski is a senior at Chowan University and a member of the Hawk softball team. She can be reached via email at sports@r-cnews.com.