The History of the GNAC SAAC Commissioner’s Council

In April 2018, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Commissioner’s Council was formed at the direction of the GNAC President’s Council. This initiative came about in support of the recommendation from the NCAA Conference Self-Study Guide (CSSG) Committee and in concert with the strategic goals of emphasizing student-athlete experience and student-athlete success. Each GNAC member institution has the opportunity to appoint one delegate.

Each council member is asked to serve on a committee. The committees for the 2026-27 academic year are listed below. Additional committees may be added at the discretion of the GNAC CC.

1. Leadership Development and Sportsmanship

2. GNAC SAAC Website and Social Media

3. Community Engagement Committee

4. Physical & Mental Health Committee

The GNAC SAAC CC members set the frequency and agenda of meetings. All 14 members of the GNAC SAAC CC are offered the opportunity to attend the annual NCAA Convention without cost to them or their school. The GNAC delegate on the NCAA National SAAC is selected from the GNAC SAAC Commissioner’s Council.

The Assistant to the Commissioner for Student-Athlete Experience and Student-Athlete Success serves as an advisor and administrative assistant to the GNAC SAAC CC and is the liaison between the GNAC SAAC CC and both the GNAC Athletic Directors Council and the GNAC Commissioner.

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a committee of student-athletes assembled to provide insight into the student-athlete experience and offer input on the rules, regulations, and policies that affect student-athletes' lives. There is a SAAC at the institutional, conference, and national levels.

School	Name	Year	Hometown	Sport
Albertus Magnus College	Sarah Hoffman	Senior	Springfield, VA	Ice Hockey, Lacrosse
Colby-Sawyer College	Bree Bacon	Senior	Brookline, MA	Volleyball
Dean College	Ella Belanger	Senior	Worcester, MA	Field Hockey
Elms College	Amanda Raymond	Senior	Auburn, MA	Softball
Emmanuel College	Kason Huynh	Senior	Mission Viejo, Calif.	Volleyball, Track & Field
Lasell University	Jason Martin	Senior	Billerica, MA	Lacrosse
Mitchell College	Madison Cole	Senior	Westbrook, ME	Softball
New England College	Kennedy Overhoff	Junior	Whitefield, NH	Field Hockey
Norwich University	Ellery Shertzer	Sophomore	Conowigo, MD	Cross Country
Regis College	Fatma Fatah	Senior	Bedford, NH	Basketball
Rivier University	Sydney Perry	Junior	Windsor, VT	Basketball
Saint Joseph's College of Maine	Alexis Cowan	Senior	Nottingham, NH	Track and Field
Simmons University	Lauren Krupnikoff	Senior	Farmington, CT	Soccer, Lacrosse
University of Saint Joseph (Conn.)	Jillian Milo	Senior	Southington, CT	Tennis