HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University football player
John Roberts officially began a two-year term on Thursday as the Southland Conference's representative on the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Roberts, a Baton Rouge native and former St. Michael High product, was one of 31 Division I student-athletes from across the nation to attend a four-day conference at the NCAA Offices in Indianapolis. Roberts and the other Division I student representatives will discuss compliance, legislation, service and improving the student-athlete's relationship with its University and student body.
The Division I SAAC consists of one student-athlete from each of the 31 Division I conferences and reports directly to the Leadership Council. The mission of the DI SAAC is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete well-being, and fostering a positive student-athlete image.
Service on the DI SAAC involves attending three in-person meetings a year (July, November and January), as well as participating on a number of conference calls throughout the year. The January meeting is held in conjunction with the NCAA National Convention, giving the SAAC an opportunity to interact directly with college athletics leaders.
“I'm extremely honored to represent Southeastern Louisiana University and the Southland Conference,” Roberts said. “I feel this is a growing conference and we have a lot of opportunities for improvement.”
Roberts, who will serve as the Southland representative until May of 2014, has served as President of Southeastern's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and was selected as the league representative in January.
As President of Southeastern's SAAC, Roberts has helped preside over several community service events including a bowling event to help a resident of Ponchatoula who was battling cancer. During the Lions' spring football game in March, the SAAC raised over $700 for Samaritan's Feet – a non-profit organization that helps provide school shoes to underprivileged children. Roberts and the Southeastern SAAC are in the process of organizing a benefit for Hammond-based Our Daily Bread Food Bank.
Roberts and the SAAC are also working to build on its relationship with the Southeastern student body by helping increase attendance at Lion and Lady Lion sporting events.
