PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island -- The Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Division III Management Council learned that a less formal meeting meant a more productive discussion when the two groups met July 21 before the Management Council quarterly meeting and right after the July SAAC meeting.

This was the first year for roundtable discussion sessions that gave the SAAC and the Management Council a chance to exchange ideas on topics of interest to both parties. It also was the first year in many that the two groups participated in a social activity together. Both the discussion sessions and the activity -- an evening boat ride and casual dinner -- served to open the lines for increased communication.

"I think it was the most successful joint meeting we've had," said Megan Stevens, chair of the SAAC and a former lacrosse student-athlete at State University College at Cortland. "This format allowed both a structured discussion and also an informal time in more of a social setting."

The discussion was conducted with Management Council members and student-athletes rotating from table to table with each topic. That format permitted maximum interaction between the two groups, while ensuring that each table had a mix of student-athletes and Council members.

The topics, selected because of their timeliness, were: The Future of Division III; Playing and Practice Seasons; Why Division III?; and Homophobia.

Student-athletes at each table took notes, and the entire group participated in a wrap-up discussion of the topics at the end of the session.

Management Council members appreciated hearing first-hand what student-athletes thought about the issues.

"I thought it was a great process," said Connee Zotos, athletics director at Drew University and a member of the Management Council. "I came away with an understanding that student-athletes are struggling just as much as we are with balancing serious academics and serious athletics."

Zotos noted that student-athletes have realized that more is not always better in that regard. "They've come through that system with youth sports, and they want to be serious athletes, yet they do realize that perhaps as a society we have crossed a line with the 'more is better' attitude. They also are concerned about retaining the proper emphasis on academics," she said.

Zotos said those are the kinds of issues the entire division will be discussing in the next few months, particularly through the work of the subcommittee on the future of Division III.

"We're all trying to deal with those questions now, and it was reassuring to see that student-athletes are still not sure; they're still trying to deal with them, too," she said. "We're all asking ourselves how can we provide a meaningful competitive athletics experience while also providing the academic experience and the services that student-athletes need to help their transition into the real world when that part of their lives is over."

Stevens also noted that the informal social activity provided a different setting to exchange information.

"When we went on the boat outing, it was more of a social setting," she said. "We didn't have to talk about the issues, but we ended up talking about the issues. I think that really helped."

Other highlights

Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
July 19-21/Providence, Rhode Island

Forwarded several recommendations to the Division III Management Council (see story, page 1.)

Appointed Jaime Fluker, a track student-athlete from Carthage College, as chair next year, and Michael Raymond, a tennis student-athlete from Western New England College, as vice-chair.

Appointed Kary Couchman, a softball student-athlete from Albion College, and Josh Espinosa, a football student-athlete from Buena Vista University, as SAAC representatives to the Division III Management Council.

Appointed Martin Quinn, a soccer student-athlete from Colorado College, to serve on the NCAA Olympic Sports Liaison Committee; Alex Gracia, a soccer student-athlete from Rhode Island College, to serve on the NCAA Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct Committee; and Erika Proko, a tennis student-athlete from Washington and Lee University, to serve on the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports.