The 'From The Heart' feature series takes an in-depth look at St. Bonaventure student-athletes and coaches. Named for the beloved Merton's Heart that overlooks campus, this series will tell the stories of Bonnies athletic programs on and off the field. For previous installments in the series, click here.
 
Collegiate student athletes are typically known for the work and time they spend in the weight room or on the field. For many student-athletes, however, it's the impact off the field that not only benefits themselves, but also their community.
 
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is an organization run by student-athletes who provide insight, experience, and input for the rules and policies that affect NCAA athletes' lives. Like other Division I institutions, every athletic team at St. Bonaventure has multiple athletes who serve as SAAC representatives.
 
The student-athletes meet bi-weekly to discuss numerous topics, according to junior tennis player and SAAC co-president Kelly Barnes.
 
"At these meetings, it's all about planning and updating people on different events that are going around on campus," Barnes said. "[We talk] about the sports that are playing along with the events that are going on. For example, we previously worked on our mental health week."
 
Outside of these bi-weekly meetings, SAAC members will often have communication with administrators and staff in the athletic department.

 
"We have great relationships with all the athletic staff," said Barnes. "We take part in their senior staff meeting with the athletic director and all the higher-ups, just to know what's going on and to have communication between student-athletes and the athletic department… At higher levels, a lot has to be done surrounding the perspectives of NIL and the transfer portal. All of which [the NCAA] looks for input from the student-athletes."
 
According to women's basketball representative Mackenzie Pettinelli, SAAC isn't just for athletes but also for people surrounding campus.

"SAAC not only gets the other students on campus involved with activities and events at games, but also people in the community surrounding campus," Pettinelli said.
 
SAAC also makes an effort to promote each athletic team as a sign of community.
 
"We try to do a lot of sports promotion events," Barnes said. "We try to have a theme and a raffle and we try to get athletes to support other athletes, as that's pretty important. Getting the whole student body out to support the team is fun to watch."
 
A key responsibility of SAAC members is to represent what's in the best interest of fellow student-athletes.
 

"I always look at my role as just trying to do what's best for all athletes," Barnes said. "Not just doing what's best for one specific team or group of people but looking at it as a whole and thinking how we can support everyone in the best way possible."
 
Going forward, SAAC will continue to try and grow its organizational outreach with several projects for the remainder of the semester according to senior associate athletic director for athletic administration, Alexis Watson.
 
"SAAC is in full gear," Watson said. "We are planning Wellness Wednesday and a mental health week, student-athlete awards, service and fundraising initiatives. I'm looking forward to seeing everything the group accomplishes."
 
Individually, SAAC has also created lifelong skills for some of the student-athlete representatives.
 
"Being a leader in SAAC has definitely allowed me to grow as a person," Barnes said. "It has allowed me to become a better communicator and leader, and plan and execute events."
 
During Pettinelli's time in SAAC, she has seen a high level of commitment from fellow athletes.
 
"Something that sticks out to me is how invested the other athletes are on campus," said Pettinelli. "[The athletes] attend other teams' sporting events and support each other."