PHOENIX, AZ - Two Oneonta student-athletes and State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Executive Board recently attended the annual NCAA Convention held in Phoenix, Arizona, from Jan. 10-13. Women's soccer senior Gianna Gritzmacher (Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue) and women's swimming junior Callie Stinson (Alexandria, VA/West Potomac) represented the conference and the college.

Gritzmacher serves as the SUNYAC SAAC Vice President of Communications, while Stinson is a cabinet alternate. 

"This was important to be a part of as a student-athlete because we got to represent student-athletes during legislation debates," said Stinson. "The people who vote on the new legislation are college presidents and athletic directors. They are voting on legislation that affects us directly, so as student-athletes, they wanted to hear our options and what we wanted to do." 

The convention includes all levels of NCAA institutions and provides a platform for networking, sharing best practices, and fostering a sense of community among the attendees. Various legislation is voted upon, and participants gain the opportunity to attend discussions, lectures, and workshops based on their interests. 

"It is important for me to be involved with SUNYAC SAAC as a student-athlete because it provides the chance to use my voice and advocate for positive changes," said Gritzmacher. "Being a part of SUNYAC SAAC is beyond just benefiting my team; it extends to making a positive impact on the school, conference, and division as a whole."

At the convention, Gritzmacher and Stinson participated in a full schedule that included meetings about Name, Image, Likeness (NIL), volunteering in the Special Olympics Unified Sports, current issues in Division III athletics, the mental health of student-athletes, how schools host conference championships, and the NCAA Women of the Year awards ceremony. 

"My favorite part of the trip was meeting new people and making connections, as well as the Women of the Year presentation," said Stinson. "I met athletic directors and presidents from other colleges during round table discussions. It was fascinating to compare the differences between our schools and hear their ideas or issues. The Women of the Year presentation was truly inspiring."

Throughout the week, each had opportunities to learn more about the happenings at the NCAA level, attending meetings that discussed issues on a national level.

"At one of the early breakfast sessions, Callie and I sat with someone from the working group to discuss the topic of athletic trainers at DIII schools," Gritzmacher said. "At the convention, I heard about the new proposed legislation that will take effect in August 2024. Also, I was present at the business session where DIII SAAC cast their first-ever votes."

With the critical role that SAAC plays at the NCAA Division III level, the administration at Oneonta was honored and proud to send two excellent student-athletes to the annual convention.

"I am very proud of both Callie and Gianna for taking advantage of the opportunity to be a part of the NCAA Convention," said SUNY Oneonta Director of Athletics Ryan Hooper. "As members of our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), they play an important role within Division III athletics, not just on our campus but within our conference and at the national level. I'm happy they had this experience to see the impact they can have as members of SAAC while representing Oneonta Athletics."