#AllforWU 2024

In recent years, and by design, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is the centralized voice for Washburn’s student-athletes to interact with our administration as well as NCAA regional and national committees. SAAC has a platform to make a difference at Washburn, in the Topeka community and in the world as our athletes go on to do great things. Your Day of Giving gift to Washburn SAAC can help us carry out our goals and improve our offerings.

SAAC is a nationwide organization available and active at NCAA schools at all levels. We have a desire and opportunity to improve and shape our own campus and our student-athletes. This year our efforts have included:

• We helped kick start a partnership with Robinson Middle School to teach young athletes more about their sport and to provide intentional leadership from older athletes in their lives.
• We work hard to make sure our own student-athletes are ready for finals by creating finals goodie bags with stress-management techniques as well as snacks and treats to encourage us through the end of the semester.
• We are working toward hosting a teddy bear toss that will raise money to donate to a charity of SAAC's choice. 
• We are working toward improving the atmosphere at our sporting events through a program called Bods Supporting Bods that encourages student-athletes from other teams to get out and support their fellow student-athletes.
• SAAC is bringing back a pre-COVID community service event, Bowling with Bods, that provides bowling, pizza and t-shirts in partnership with the Special Olympians in the Topeka area. 
• We engage in community outreach projects with local schools, such as High Five Fridays, allowing our student athletes to greet young individuals with a high-five to start their positively and encouragingly. 

In the past, SAAC has taken on initiatives such as:

• A diversity, equity and inclusion series with speakers
• Providing mental health resources and bringing a mental health speaker on campus
• A Life After Athletics series for our real-world preparation
• Providing a better experience by hosting Washburn's Golden Bods Award Show - an annual ceremony recognizing our student-athletes achievements on and off the field
• Raising money for the national Make-A-Wish Foundation through various fundraisers