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WATERVILLE, Me. (November 4, 2020) – SUNY Delhi soccer and softball junior Rachael Scoones (Deansboro, NY / Waterville) was recently selected to serve a two-year term on the NCAA Division III Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), as announced by the North Atlantic Conference (NAC). Her term of service will begin September 1, 2021, and continue through January 31, 2023. The start date of her term coincides with the first day of SUNY Delhi's full-time membership into the NCAA.
"We are happy that Rachael was presented with this opportunity to join National SAAC," said Delhi SAAC Advisor and Head Softball Coach Meagan Hillard. "Rachael is always full of knowledge and ideas and we cannot wait to see her bring those to life with the help from National SAAC. We look forward to seeing what she will contribute to the organization."
A goalkeeper on the soccer team and outfielder for the softball team, Scoones is the secretary for SUNY Delhi's SAAC, and a representative to the North Atlantic Conference SAAC. She was one of three student athletes nominated by the conference to serve at the national level, and was informed of her selection last week. Each Division III institution is encouraged to have a SAAC on campus, and each Division III conference has a conference-level SAAC.
"I'm speechless," Scoones began. "I got the email when I just finished soccer practice and I was blown away. I am so stoked to be one of the few to have a voice. This is big for me and for Delhi. We are going to be officially DIII soon and it means a lot. I know that's a small word - 'a lot' - but there are no other words that would make sense. This is the biggest thing that has happened to me. I'm speechless."
SUNY Delhi is in the final stages of the multi-step, multi-year process to become an NCAA Division III institution and has been a member of the NAC for three years. Scoones will begin her term of service on September 1, 2021, when the Broncos become active DIII members.
"We are very excited to have Rachael represent the NAC in this important leadership role," SUNY Delhi Athletic Director Bob Backus remarked. "Rachael, as a two-sport athlete and honors student, will be a great ambassador for student athletes of the NAC!"
A Recreation and Sports Management Major, Scoones realized her passion for bringing sports to every person when she participated in a Beyond Sports effort in Costa Rica last summer. In what would be a life-changing experience, Scoones assisted with Special Olympics events and spent the week teaching physical education and movement classes in local schools. This experience solidified her career path. She is now vying for a winter internship in Crested Butte, Colorado focused on adapted mountain sports. This asset will
Scoones recognizes the value of resources and professionals available to young people, but believes the personal peer-to-peer work can often be the most impactful: "A lot of people don't want to reach out to professionals, but are willing to talk to and listen to their peers. Your peers are going through it with you. Everyone has a different story and I get that, but we can come together and help each other out."
As a member of National SAAC, Scoones will attend four in-person meetings plus various video meetings and conference calls each year. Scoones is humbled and excited to begin serving Division III student athletes as the committee works to sustain and advance the Association's mission, traditions, and values.
"I hope to give another perspective on things. On top of legislation and stuff, I hope to give the perspective that anything is possible. I'm a small-town girl at a small-town college, and I didn't expect to be selected. I didn't think they'd pick a student from tiny little Delhi. I'm a two-sport athlete and secretary of Delhi SAAC, and on NAC SAAC and now this," she smiled.
