COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Regis University Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) was awarded their fourth consecutive RMAC SAAC Cup on Tuesday at the conclusion of the RMAC summer SAAC Retreat. The SAAC Cup honors the league's top-performing SAAC during the past academic year.
Established in 2015-16, the SAAC Cup is presented to the institutional Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) whose student-athlete cohorts accrue the most points over two different initiatives during the academic year: the average number of community service hours per student-athlete and total funds raised to support local causes and charities during the academic year.
"I am so proud of our SAAC representatives, student-athletes, entire athletics department, and campus community for this incredible achievement," said Robin Wheeler, Regis Deputy Director of Athletics. "Led by SAAC initiatives, our entire department came together for a landmark year of innovative programming and volunteer opportunities. We are honored to win the RMAC SAAC Cup and continue pushing further toward our shared values of service and commitment to the larger community. We greatly appreciate the RMAC's emphasis on the importance of these initiatives and move into the upcoming year energized to continue building upon our efforts."
Regis accumulated 2,700 of a possible 3,000 points last season, with its student-athletes averaging 16.1 hours of community service. The Rangers had several teams partner with Team Impact, which matches children facing serious illness and disability with college sports teams, creating a long-term, life-changing experience for everyone involved. In addition, the Rangers student-athletes coordinated monthly programming to raise donations and awareness for Make-A-Wish, The Hidden Opponent, and Beyond the Court.
"We are incredibly proud of all of our student-athletes and SAAC members, but want to extend a special thank you to Natalie Bunch, John Murphy, and Hojin Lee who all served as SAAC Co-Presidents throughout the year," added Regis Director of Sports Information, Masan Polk. "The Rangers have a proven reputation of leadership and service on campus and in the community, and we are excited to only strengthen that going forward."
Western Colorado University finished second in the SAAC Cup competition with 2,600 points, and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs finished third with 2,400 points.
RMAC student-athletes provided nearly 23,000 hours of volunteer hours last year, led by Colorado Christian University's 5,076 hours – an average of nearly 21 hours per student-athlete. Regis' student-athletes were second in volunteer hours with 4,269 total hours, averaging 16 hours per student-athlete.
