ABERDEEN, S.D. – Emily Decker and Erin O'Tool of the University of Sioux Falls Student-Athlete Advisory Leadership Committee are attending the 2019 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (SAAC) Leadership Summit on May 20-22 at Northern State University.
 
Decker of the USF Volleyball Team and O'Tool of the USF Soccer Team, are among the 43 SAAC representatives from the NSIC's participating in activities to build camaraderie between NSIC SAAC leadership, enhance communication skills and learn more about preparing for life after college. Decker is a sophomore exercise science major from Elkhart, Ind., while O'Tool is a junior pre-professional and exercise science major from Clear Lake, Iowa.

USF Athletic Director Pam Gohl, who is the advisor for the USF SAAC group, sees tremendous benefits for the student-athletes participation. "They are taking part in team-building exercises, participating in engaging round table discussions on leadership and interacting with other student-athletes around the league," said Gohl, who is accompany the USF student-athletes along with USF President Brett Bradfield. Dr. Bradfield is also in Aberdeen for the NSIC Board of Directors meeting.

The event kicked off on Monday afternoon with a joint meeting between the NSIC SAAC Student-Athletes and the NSIC Board of Directors followed by a dinner together.  During the joint meeting the second annual NSIC SAAC Cup was awarded to Wayne State College, which accumulated 9,056 service points. USF finished eighth of the 16 NSIC schools with 6,075 service points.
 
The NSIC SAAC Cup is a traveling trophy awarded annually at the SAAC Summit. Member schools earned points throughout the year based on service work. That work included generating funds for "Make-A-Wish", raising money for worthy causes, attending the NSIC SAAC Meeting, holding Campus SAAC Meetings, completing a SAAC Legislative Grid, participating in NSIC SAAC Initiatives (mental health awareness, It's A Slam Dunk, Don't Drive Drunk, It's on Us programs) as well as working on other community service/engagement projects.

On Tuesday, May 21, the NSIC SAAC group met with Jill Willson from Double L Consulting on developing a SAAC Strategic Plan, reported on the APPLE Conference and the Student-Athlete Leadership Forum followed by leadership programming.  After dinner the group will participate in Strengths programming. 

On Wednesday morning, the group will hold their annual NSIC SAAC business meeting.