CAMBRIDGE,
Mass. - On November 6 and 7, representatives from all nine America
East member institutions meet in Cambridge for the Fall 2009 conference Student-Athlete
Advisory Committee meeting.
Commissioner Nero joined the group on Friday to discuss
the new title sponsor for the America East basketball championship, Newman's
Own, Inc. Nero discussed the Newman's Own commitment to community service and
the service programs that the company wants to institute on all America East
campuses.
The SAAC representatives shared their thoughts on
proposed new NCAA legislation and discussed community service and fundraising
events on each of their campuses. The members, representing the opinions of
their campus SAAC groups, debated on each piece of legislation before voting.
The decisions reached at the conference meeting will be presented by America
East SAAC Chair Bob Nolte to the national SAAC at the upcoming meeting.
Members also provided campus updates detailing the
events that campus SAAC groups were arranging for their respective campuses. Community
service, mentoring programs, fundraising and each school's S.T.A.R.S.
sportsmanship initiative were among the topics covered. Associate Commissioner
of Compliance Brian Barrio also discussed the possibility of a shared community
service program across all nine America East campuses and encouraged members to
get involved in the early stages of program development.
The meeting wrapped up with a discussion of the
conference's use of new media in which the SAAC members brainstormed ways that
America East could better reach out to its student population.