Board sets pace for other athletic organizations

By STEVE FEINBERG
Collegian Sports Writer

It's not an imported car. But 10 years ago, the idea of having a SAAB -- or Student Athletic Advisory Board -- was indeed a foreign one for many athletes.

Then in 1987, Penn State student-athletes made a pioneering step. Representatives from each of the 29 varsity teams unified to form SAAB. With the welfare of their respective teams in mind, the board would act as a liaison to the Academic Support Center for Student Athletes, the athletic department, the NCAA and the community.

Ever since then, SAAB has blossomed into an active organization whose make-up, purpose and execution has been a trend-setter for advisory boards nationwide.

"Since (1987), it's been a model for a number of other schools," said Tim Curley, Penn State athletic director.

The advisory board, which meets once a month, is composed of one voting representative from each team. Members are selected by coaches' recommendations and officers are voted by the board itself.

This year's group is headed by men's basketball center John Amaechi. When he is not busy in the low post on the court, Amaechi said his main focus in the high post of SAAB has been getting student-athletes more involved in community service.

"Athletes have a lot of potential to be more useful in the community," he said.

Last semester's Images Pen Pal program, which had student-athletes writing back and forth to Harrisburg elementary school students, was one example.

"The athletes served as a role model for them," said SAAB Adviser Dave Yukelson.

The emerging establishment of advisory boards across the country has produced a network within the NCAA at large. Athletes from various schools can now sit in on NCAA conventions and disseminate news of legislation being introduced.

However, with advisory boards becoming more active, their major role within the NCAA has now become one of advocacy.

During last month's NCAA convention, SAAB athletes were instrumental in overturning a previous rule which denied additional federal aid to athletes under scholarship.

In the past, athletes receiving a Pell Grant from the government would have those funds incorporated into their scholarship. Now, athletes who qualify will receive the federal funds in excess of their scholarship aid.

"They've had a tremendous influence with NCAA conventions," Curley said, adding that some speeches by SAAB students have brought rounds of applause from convention members.

Probably the greatest student-athlete influence so far was demonstrated in the NCAA's recent adoption of Proposal 13. This proposal requires all member institutions to implement student athletic advisory committees by Aug. 1.

"I think it's an excellent idea," Amaechi said. "It is a proposal that'll give all student-athletes a consolidated voice."

With help from the Academic Support Center, SAAB has created committees devoted to career development, freshmen adjustment and helping student-athletes achieve a successful balance between academics and athletics.

The guidance of the Academic Support Center "really shows the support Penn State has for student-athletes," said Michael Chang, 1994 SAAB president and former men's swimmer.

The greatest benefit of SAAB, Amaechi said, is that athletes no longer have to see themselves or be seen by others as "dumb jocks." Now, "they have a place where they can go to express their grievances and voice their expectations."