2025-26 Big West SAAC Page & Roster
The Big West held its annual Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) meeting earlier this week at its conference offices in Irvine, Calif. 12 institutions had at least one campus representative to advocate for and discuss student-athlete voices across the league. 

Each year, the group convenes to review individual campus goals for the upcoming year and to collaborate on conference-wide community service initiatives under the #BigWestCares platform. 

During the two-day gathering, student-athletes engaged in conversations around a newly enhanced governance structure, personal and team growth, and ways to elevate the student-athlete experience at The Big West. Dan Butterly (Commissioner), Kristi Giddings (Deputy commissioner & SWA) and Cheryl Wong (Championships & Sport Administration) also joined the sessions led by Angie Allen (Assistant Commissioner, Compliance & Student-Athlete Engagement) to share insights and answer questions on current issues shaping the collegiate athletics landscape. 

"The summer in-person meeting is critical to the success of SAAC for the upcoming year. It creates a firm foundation that we hope to build on." said Angie Allen of The Big West. "It solidifies a sense of community where the attendees understand they may be competitors on the field of play but can be friends off of it. We believe our student athletes will be the leaders of tomorrow, so we strive to equip them for that and this meeting was a great first step in that direction."

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Day one kicked off with former Cal Poly men’s basketball student athlete Chris Eversley leading an interactive leadership development workshop. The workshop centered on his experiences as both a student and professional athlete to what life looks like after the final whistle, especially when you have unforeseen events that happen along the way. 

After a standout athletic career that included a Division I scholarship, a conference championship, and scoring over 1,000 points as a global professional athlete, Eversley experienced the often-overlooked identity shift that comes with life after sports, especially after sustaining a life changing injury almost a year ago. Today, Eversley coach's athletes, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders, equipping them with the mindset tools needed to lead with clarity, resilience, and structure. Through 1-on-1 coaching, workshops, and keynote speaking, the former Mustang partnered with organizations like Lululemon and universities nationwide to help student-athletes develop leadership skills that extend far beyond graduation. 

Following the time with Eversley, the first day continued with a governance overview, including a review of the Big West SAAC’s voting role in Big West legislation, followed by a Division I SAAC report and updates on proposed NCAA legislative changes. These discussions empowered student-athletes to better understand and engage with decision-making processes that directly impact their collegiate experience. 

Student also participated in a fun and engaging dinner party at Dave & Busters that featured a unquie and interactive scavanger hunt across that game room. The participants were split into a plethora of different groups, but the red team emergered victorious after getting the most clue correct during the game. 

 
During day two, the group provided feedback on Big West Championships from the 2024–25 academic year, helping conference officials identify areas of improvement to further elevate the student-athlete experience. Looking ahead, SAAC members discussed the future and leadership structure within the committee, including the creation of subcommittees across the group for certain areas. 

Several Big West SAAC initiatives were reviewed, including the ongoing success of #BigWestCares community service programs and the hopeful growing library of Big West stories and interviews, which spotlight student-athlete experiences voices and across our league.
 
The meeting concluded with a collaborative session on campus best practices, where student-athletes shared successful programs and ideas from their respective schools, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose throughout the conference. 

With strong momentum and leadership in place, Big West SAAC continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of student-athlete advocacy, engagement, and excellence.