The student-athletes who will represent Arizona Athletics on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in 2020-21 tell you their own stories of why they serve and the mission of this important organization. Noah Reid of Arizona Swimming & Diving serves as Chair of Community Service Sub-Committee within SAAC.

I decided to apply and join SAAC because I wanted to get more connected within Arizona Athletics. This University and athletics department have done so much for me, and I just wanted to give back in any way I can. I also have a huge passion for leading my team as the swim team here means everything to me. Coming together to move as one in a collective goal is huge, and I want everyone to be able to experience that. I want to leave my mark on the University of Arizona before I graduate in the spring in the pool, the classroom, socially and in the community. I would also like to tie some sports together. As an athletic department, I think we can do a better job with connecting with other teams and supporting each other. 

SAAC is important because we are the ties from our teams to administration. We are the voice for the student-athletes as leaders, and this important group has provided me the ability to make a lot of relationships in the athletics department. I am a pretty social guy and relationships are very important to me. One time, our AD Dave Heeke got a group of us breakfast, and we were able to go in his office just to take about what was going on in the NCAA and across the nation. I don't know of any other AD that would do that. 



I also believe the city of Tucson is really special. We don't have any professional sports teams here, we are it. The city of Tucson supports us so well by donations to the athletics department and supporting us at our games, matches and meets. That's why I have such a passion for giving back to the city and community of Tucson. There is truly no fan base like them. Whatever way we can, it's important to give back to the city that show us endless support.

I am chair of the Community Service Sub-Committee, and we plan the drop-in hours for our student-athletes and administration to give back to Southern Arizona. This means we are reaching out the local non-profits that can either come in or we go to them to plan an event each month. These are important because being a student-athlete, we are very busy. My sub-committee tries to make it easy for Arizona Athletics to give back with their busy schedules by providing all means necessary to give back to Tucson. 

Another inspiration of mine is Arizona Athletics' team community service award that is awarded every year. This award has been dominated by Women's Basketball in recent history, and I am trying to make this award more competitive! Starting with our swim team, I want to get even more teams involved. Who knows, maybe this year my teammates and I can take down the Coach Barnes and the "Queens of Community Service"!
 
SAAC EXECUTIVE BOARD
Bryce Wolma - Co-President - Football
Sam Thomas - Co-President - Women's Basketball
Trevor Volpe - Co-Chair of Career and Leadership Development - Track & Field
Jordan Geist - Co-Chair of Career and Leadership Development - Track & Field
David Laskin - Co-Chair of Health and Wellness - Men's Golf
Noah Reid - Chair of Community Service - Swimming & Diving
Victoria Navarro - Co-Chair of Diversity and Inclusion - Swimming & Diving
Eric Correa - Co-Chair of Diversity and Inclusion - Swimming & Diving
Merle Weidt - Co-Chair of Health and Wellness - Volleyball