SAAC

Visit the SAAC Instagram page at @thepacwestSAAC

The mission of the PacWest Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting involvement in community activities, protecting student-athlete welfare, maintaining athletic integrity, acting as a liaison between student-athletes and the administration and fostering a positive student-athlete image.
PacWest Conference SAAC Constitution

2025-26 PacWest Conference SAAC Executive Board Members
President Mattie Prior
(volleyball)		 Concordia
Vice President Bri Bellfi
(volleyball)		 Biola
Secretary Mandi Roberts
(women's soccer)		 Menlo
Professional Development Director Sarah Wilson (volleyball)
Robert Ronco (men's soccer)		 Azusa Pacific
Vanguard
Social Media Director Jason Riviello
(baseball)		 Jessup
National SAAC Representative Mariah Hughes
(volleyball)		 Point Loma


PacWest SAAC Retreat Locations
2008    Hawai'i Hilo (Hilo, Hawai'i)
2009    Grand Canyon (Phoenix, Ariz.)
2010    Academy of Art (San Francisco, Calif.)
2011    Hawai'i Pacific (Honolulu, Hawai'i)
2012    California Baptist (Anaheim, Calif.)
2013    Dominican (San Rafael, Calif.)
2014    Chaminade (Honolulu, Hawai'i)
2015    Concordia (Irvine, Calif.)
2016    Point Loma  (San Diego, Calif.)
2017    Holy Names (Oakland, Calif.)
2018    Hawai'i Hilo (Hilo, Hawai'i)
2019    Biola (La Mirada, Calif.)
2020    Fresno Pacific (virtual)
2021    Fresno Pacific (virtual)
2022    Hawai'i Pacific (Honolulu, Hawai'i)
2023    Azusa Pacific (Azusa, Calif.)
2024    Dominican (San Rafael, Calif.)
2025    Vanguard (Costa Mesa, Calif.)
2026    Chaminade (Honolulu, Oahu)

NCAA & CONFERENCE AWARDS
NCAA DII Award of Excellence - applications due November 15- link
PacWest Conference 2025-26 SAAC Community Engagement Award - application here
PacWest Conference 2025-26 Team Community Engagement Award - application here

CAMPUS RESOURCES
NCAA DII Campus SAAC Guide - link
NCAA DII Conference SAAC Guide - link
NCAA NIL Assist - link
Team Impact website - link
Make-A-Wish website - link
DII National SAAC - link

SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS
Why it matters: These scholarships, totaling $2.6 million, provide financial support to over 350 individuals annually. They are crucial for student-athletes pursuing further education after their athletics-related financial aid has been exhausted.
Details:

  • Walter Byers Graduate Scholarship: One male and one female student-athlete awarded $24,000 for outstanding academic achievement and potential for future leadership.
  • Jim McKay Graduate Scholarship: One male and one female student or student-athlete awarded $10,000 for excellence in sports communication or public relations.
  • Ethnic Minority and Women’s Enhancement Graduate Scholarship: $10,000 awarded to 13 ethnic minorities and 13 female graduates entering sports administration or related fields.
  • Postgraduate Scholarship: $10,000 awarded three times a year for each sport season. Each sport season, there are 21 scholarships available for men and 21 scholarships available for women for use in an accredited graduate program. 
  • NCAA DII Degree Completion Program: The NCAA established the Division II Degree Completion Award Program in 2001 to provide deserving student-athletes financial assistance for them to complete their first undergraduate degree. Candidates will be students who have exhausted their athletics eligibility.
Important Information: For the Jim McKay, Walter Byers and Postgraduate scholarships, student-athletes must be nominated by their faculty athletics representative. Conversely, those interested in the Ethnic Minority and Women’s Enhancement Graduate Scholarship must apply themselves.

Key dates:
  • Applications for the Walter Byers, Jim McKay, and Postgraduate scholarships--January 5, 2026
  • The Ethnic Minority and Women’s Enhancement Graduate Scholarship application TBD
  • NCAA DII Degree Completion Program - applications open October 15, 2025 and close February 16, 2026
  • Post Graduate Scholarship--Fall applications open September 16, 2025 and close January 5, 2026 / Winter applications open January 12, 2026 and close March 9, 2026 / Spring applications open March 9, 2026 and close May 4, 2026.