RICHMOND, VA … The CAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) conducted its annual Leadership Summit in person for the first time since 2019 from June 15-17 in Richmond, Va.

Hampton's Daniel Banister (men's basketball) and Emily Workman (softball) were among the 28 student-athletes representing all 14 CAA institutions along with numerous school administrators and members of the conference staff. Due to the CoVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was held via Zoom over the past few years. This year's group of student-athletes represented 15 different sports.

Summit participants had the opportunity to share insights regarding the student-athlete experience and give their opinions on a variety of national and conference issues. Making presentations were Dr. Jarrod Spencer, a sports psychologist, and Lauren Wickland, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Leadership and Student-Athlete Services at the University of Richmond. The group also heard from Towson University volleyball player Asia Goins, who is the CAA's National SAAC representative.

The group also toured the Holocaust Museum in Richmond. With antisemitic incidents in the United States at their highest levels in 50 years, the museum trip helped set the stage for a broader discussion on the best way to curb discrimination on college campuses.

In addition to their meetings, student-athletes participated in a community service activity creating cards for hospitalized children. The group also filmed a public service announcement that will air on telecasts of CAA sporting events during the 2023-24 season.

CAA SAAC Leadership Summit Participants

Daniel Banister, Men's Basketball – Hampton

Emily Workman, Softball - Hampton

Kaleigh Backlund, Women's Soccer – Campbell

Mahlon Dyer, Football – Campbell

Grace Powell, Women's Soccer – Charleston

Isaiah Rainge, Baseball – Charleston

Alexander Villas, Football – Delaware

Kylie Walbert, Field Hockey – Delaware

Tommy Pennimpede, Men's Swimming - Drexel

Jordyn Travis, Field Hockey – Drexel

Bo Sanders, Football – Elon

Olivia Malinowski, Softball – Hofstra

Bella Pisapia, Softball – Hofstra

Lauren Bruno, Women's Soccer – Monmouth

Madison Perna, Women' Soccer – Monmouth

Joy Harris, Women's Track & Field – North Carolina A&T

Nathaniel Spindle, Football – North Carolina A&T

Ryan Hunt, Men's Track & Field – UNCW

Makaya Parham, Women's Soccer – UNCW

Luke Beckstein, Baseball – Northeastern

Sydney Rusnock, Field Hockey – Northeastern

Eric Shu, Men's Cross Country/Track & Field – Stony Brook

Sabrina Spezia, Women's Cross Country/Track & Field – Stony Brook

Patrick Cole, Football – Towson

Asia Goins, Volleyball – Towson

Rayab Lee, Women's Golf – Towson

Trenton Peazant, Men's Gymnastics – William & Mary

Lauren Rothstein, Women's Lacrosse – William & Mary

School Administrators

 

Danielle Brown, Charleston

Alexandra DiFelice, Delaware

Peaches Brown, Drexel

Aaron Mellette, Elon

Somer Kelly, Hampton

Becky Considine, Hofstra

Arnise King, Monmouth

Jaime Mangold, UNCW

Lisa Markland, Northeastern

Arnika Edwards, Stony Brook

Antwaine Smith, Towson

Jasmine Perkins, William & Mary

Jason Simms, William & Mary

CAA Staff

Joe D'Antonio, Commissioner

Jennifer Condaras, Deputy Commissioner

John Heck, Associate Commissioner – Compliance & Governance

Steven Kanaby, Associate Commissioner – Sports Administration

Jamie Greer, Assistant Commissioner – Digital Engagement & Social Promotion

Donna Parker, Director – Compliance & Student-Athlete Services

Karlie Smith, Director – Digital Engagement & Social Promotion