Student-Athlete Advisory Council Reaches 100% Giving for Third Year

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – In what has become a tradition for Carnegie Mellon University’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), the group has once again made a statement by investing in their own experience, as the leadership committee reached 100 percent giving to the University for the third straight year. Each of the Council’s 47 members made a gift to support the athletics department.

“One of the many reasons we joined SAAC was for the opportunity to have a direct impact on enhancing our lives as student-athletes at Carnegie Mellon,” volleyball senior and SAAC president Emily Newton said. “That’s why it’s so exciting and important when, for the third year in a row, we have reached 100% SAAC giving. It truly shows the commitment we have as student-athletes to improving our experience on campus not only for ourselves but for future CMU student-athletes.”

After achieving 100 percent giving the last two years, SAAC challenged the rest of the student-athlete community to get involved. Both years, more than 300 student-athletes (approximately 70%) made gifts to support the university throughout the fiscal year.

“Our Student-Athlete Advisory Council is comprised of young men and women who are not only leaders on their respective teams, but leaders within our university community,” said Director of Athletics Josh Centor. “They have established quite a tradition, and continue to use their passion to influence and inspire others.”

Support for student-athlete experience is a significant component of the department’s recently-adopted strategic plan. Last year, the department set a new benchmark for Andrew Carnegie Society-level gifts ($1,000 or more) to the athletics program. Two new endowed funds were created, a state-of-the-art webcasting system was installed at the tennis facility and the men’s soccer program successfully completed the Young Kang Matching Challenge and will head to California next fall for early-season competition. Contributions to the athletics department directly support student experience, which has helped inspire SAAC to prioritize its own commitment.

To join the Student-Athlete Advisory Council in its support of the Tartan experience, click here to make a gift to the athletics department.