By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Morgan Shaw (Fy., Redmond, OR/Ridgeview HS) on the Willamette University women's cross country team and women's track and field team, has been selected to serve as a member of the NCAA Division III National Student Athlete-Advisory Committee (NSAAC). She will attend the NCAA Convention each of the next three years to meet with other NSAAC members.
Shaw also is a member of the Willamette Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. On the National SAAC, she will represent the Northwest Conference (NWC) and the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC).
"I am very honored to have been selected to represent both the NWC and the SCIAC," Shaw commented. "This is such an incredible opportunity to network and bring back new ideas to the NWC to hopefully benefit all of our student-athletes."
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee on each college campus is a liaison between student-athletes, the athletics department and the college or university administration. The Willamette SAAC is active in organizing and promoting community service activities, fund-raising for charity, and creating fun events for students and athletes. In addition, the SAAC provides a way for student-athletes to work with the athletic department staff and the university to sponsor special events, bring in motivational speakers, or involve multiple teams in the same community project. At Willamette, the SAAC also sponsors the annual career night for Bearcat student-athletes.
At the national level, Shaw and other SAAC representatives will have the opportunity to be heard by the NCAA regarding issues that impact student-athletes across the country. The National SAAC also maintains and organizes the partnership between NCAA Division III and the Special Olympics. In addition, NSAAC members will discuss ways to improve various aspects of being NCAA Division III student-athletes as it relates to personal well-being, athletics, academics, co-curricular activities and community projects.
Shaw is one of 10 student-athletes chosen as primary members of the NSAAC. They were nominated by their conference offices and were selected by the NCAA Division III Nominating Committee. An additional 12 associate members complete the NSAAC roster.
"I listened to one of the NWC SAAC meetings and heard about the opportunity. I followed up with Head Swimming Coach Brent Summers, our Willamette SAAC Advisor, about the ability to apply," Shaw said about realizing that she could possibly join the National SAAC. "I didn't know that there was a DIII National SAAC before listening to that meeting and hearing from the current national representative."
Although Shaw doesn't know exactly what projects and activities will take up the time of National SAAC members, she is looking forward to the process. She will also have a chance to meet other student-athletes who have been named to the NSAAC.
"I would guess that we will work on a lot of issues that we all face on our own campuses around diversity, equity, inclusion, and other NCAA legislation. As National SAAC, we will have the opportunity to communicate our own experiences and strategies in order to share new ideas about some of these common issues, as well as other unique situations we may face. I am hopeful that DIII National SAAC will work a lot with athlete mental health, as that is something I am passionate about."
Choosing to attend Willamette and participate in cross country and track and field met Shaw's goals for a balanced experience. Now she has the opportunity to represent other student-athletes at the national level.
"In choosing where I wanted to pursue my education and career goals I really tried to balance the desire I've had to want to run in college as well as what would best support my future/career goals," Shaw explained. "Willamette fit both of those requirements as it provided me the opportunity to pursue both running and some really exciting academic opportunities.
"My favorite memory from high school running was my senior year State experience, it was super fun and always so impactful to compete at Hayward Field with some of my closest friends, Shaw said. "My favorite memory from this fall was our trip to Regionals in Riverside, California. It was really fun to go somewhere warm and sunny for a late season meet, and it provided a great opportunity to get a lot closer with my teammates, which made the experience super fun!"
She hopes to add many new memories as a Bearcat and also as part of the Willamette SAAC, NWC SAAC, and NSAAC. And she has academic goals she's looking forward to pursuing as a student.
"As of right now, I believe that my major will be Politics, Policy, Law and Ethics with a minor in Spanish," Shaw asserted. "My current goal is to pursue the Willamette 3+3 Law Program, and thus attend Willamette College of Law for grad school!"
Shaw developed an interest in expanding her involvement in student-athlete leadership after joining the Willamette SAAC.
"My favorite thing about Willamette SAAC is how open everyone is and how many new ideas are brought about by the different teams within SAAC," Shaw commented. "Every team brings different perspectives and ideas to the table that are really valuable and supportive, which makes SAAC meetings fun, and creates a better environment for all student-athletes at Willamette."
