Duo Represents Cougars at Big 12 SAAC Retreat

HOUSTON – University of Houston SAAC representatives Kate Burgess and Anna Economon represented the Cougars at the 2023 Big 12 Conference SAAC Retreat in overdue July.
 
The two-day tournament hosted 25 Big 12 SAAC representatives the place student-athletes have been in a position to interact with different SAAC representatives, in addition to with Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark and Big 12 Chief Impact Officer Jenn Hunter.
 
The retreat gave the student-athletes the risk at skilled construction alternatives comparable to skilled headshots, mock interviews and resume opinions.
 
Aside from skilled construction, the gang additionally had a possibility to provide again to the group. The 25 Big 12 SAAC representatives volunteered at Ability Connections, a nonprofit group positioned in Irving, Texas, that serves over 900 other people with all forms of highbrow or different developmental disabilities throughout Texas.
 
EXPECTATIONS GOING INTO THE BIG 12 SAAC RETREAT
Burgess: After the retreat I sought after to stroll away feeling impressed and assured that the 2023-2024 SAAC college 12 months used to be going to be the most productive! I’m excited to percentage the Big 12 occasions we deliberate and cannot wait to peer what Houston SAAC can accomplish in combination.
 
Economon: I sought after to stroll away feeling impressed and able to take in this huge 12 months in Houston Athletics historical past. I believe it used to be an eye-opening alternative to listen to how different universities serve as and what’s vital to them, and to collect new concepts that we will put in force on our campus. 
 
BIGGEST TAKEAWAY
Burgess: My largest takeaway from the retreat used to be listening to what SAAC gave the impression of at the opposite Big 12 establishments. The center of attention throughout the retreat used to be efficient communique. We have been in a position to percentage what labored and what did not paintings at every establishment to sooner or later come right down to the most productive strategies for speaking with our student-athletes. I believe that those strategies can be crucial to extend our participation this 12 months.
 
Economon: The Big 12 SAAC is extra unified than ever and able to be a drive for just right. I anticipated there to be extra pageant among faculties, however we have been simply in a position to position our loyalties apart and paintings in combination to plot some implausible projects to provide again to our communities.
 
Additionally, Big 12 SAAC is taking a more potent stand for the student-athlete voice this 12 months. We are dedicated to instructing our student-athletes and ensuring our facet of the tale is heard. 
 
GOALS FOR HOUSTON SAAC THIS YEAR
Burgess: This 12 months with SAAC I am hoping to coach the student-athletes concerning the significance and affect of SAAC, make occasions occur by means of being proactive, center of attention on team spirit inside of Houston Athletics, and feature efficient communique to extend participation in occasions and conferences.
 
Economon: My targets for SAAC this 12 months may also be summarized by means of “Coogs Care.” This 12 months Coogs will care about their group, their fellow scholars and about themselves.
 
One of my targets is for student-athletes to be higher skilled concerning the global round them. We will have to carry consciousness in order that everybody could make knowledgeable selections.
 
I wish to instill a way of team spirit throughout the athletic division. Oftentimes, people will gravitate against their respective groups or shut circle of pals, by no means intersecting with different student-athletes or directors out of doors their “bubble.” I consider that we’re more potent in combination and it’s SAAC’s purpose to create alternatives for student-athletes to come back in combination.
 
Finally, SAAC’s purpose can be to provide again. We want to do a greater activity of having our student-athletes out in the neighborhood and giving again to these in want. We may also be giving again to our student-athletes. There are persisted efforts in position to emphasise the significance of psychological well being and make sure that every student-athlete has the most productive faculty revel in imaginable. 
 
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