Date Posted: 2/6/2008

MACON, Ga. – The Atlantic Sun Conference hosted its annual Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Meeting in Jacksonville, Fla., on January 25-26. Representatives from all 12 A-Sun institutions participated in the gathering held on the campus of the University of North Florida.

The student-athletes conducted business relating to the governing of the conference SAAC while committing to leading activities on their own campuses. The group re-affirmed their commitment to a fundraising challenge between each individual SAAC with a specific local charity benefiting from the competition. UNF garnered recognition as the winner of the 2006-07 fundraising competition and received a plaque from A-Sun representatives. The group voted that the gathering be held in-person twice annually with one meeting on an A-Sun campus and the other in a central location.

Officers for the remainder of the academic year were confirmed with Jacksonville’s Matt Dobbins (Baseball) serving both as chair of the committee and the conference’s voice on the National SAAC. Joining Dobbins as officers are Vice Chair Katie Martin of Kennesaw State (Women’s Basketball) and Secretary Kyle Brunette of Florida Gulf Coast (Cross Country). Dobbins also earned recognition for his service to the conference in the form of a plaque.

The highlight of the event appeared to be the SAAC’s community service project at the Donner Park and Community Center in Jacksonville. All SAAC members participated and spent time with the many school age children that frequent the center. Other items of note included a vote to participate in National Student-Athlete Day on April 6, 2008 at each individual campus and an initial discussion for selecting next year’s A-Sun representative to the National SAAC.

The next SAAC meeting will be held in September 2008 and will be hosted by East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tenn.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is a 12-member league committed to Building Winners for Life, with a focus on academic and athletic integrity and a balance between the two for the student-athlete, and maintaining a high level of sportsmanship. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun encompasses six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun consists of some of the most dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Gardner-Webb University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

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