Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Names New Representatives for the 2025-26 Academic Year

MUNCIE -- Thirty-seven Ball State student-athletes have been named as representatives on the 2025-26 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), with six named as officers on the executive board.

Women's swimming and diving junior Haley Sakbun has been named as SAAC president for the upcoming school year, with track and field junior Maci Hoskins appointed as vice president. Women's basketball junior Ashlynn Brooke is the new treasurer and women's volleyball junior Lindsey Green is the social media/marketing coordinator. Brooke and sophomore football athlete Darin Conley will serve as representatives on the Mid-American Conference's Council of Student-Athletes (COSA). Women's swimming and diving senior Payton Kelly will serve as the representative for inclusiveness and international initiatives.

SAAC's mission is to ensure and enhance the student-athlete experience through promoting opportunities within the university, athletics department and outside community, while providing a path to serve and protect the interests and image of the student-athlete.

The committee is set to kick off the 2025-26 academic year with energy, ideas, and a commitment to representing the voice of Cardinal student-athletes across all sports.

SAAC, which serves as the leadership group for Ball State's more than 440 student-athletes, plays a vital role in shaping the student-athlete experience on campus. The committee meets regularly to discuss NCAA and MAC initiatives, enhance communication between student-athletes and coaches/administration, and create opportunities for service and engagement in the Muncie community.

The group also is involved in strategic educational programming such as financial literacy, "Name, Image and Likeness," resume writing and career prep, offered both on campus and through the MAC's Taking MACtion series.

Having won the 2024-25 MAC Cartwright Award, the group of student-athletes is eager to help the department continue thriving in the areas of athletic excellence, academic achievement and community engagement. During its first meetings of the year, key initiatives were discussed:

1. Mental Health and Well-Being: The MAC-sponsored Mental Health Awareness Week is Sept. 29 to Oct. 3, during which student-athletes will discuss and work to enhance awareness and the wholistic well-being of their experience.

2. Chirp-or-Treat: Oct. 25 at 3 p.m., when the Cardinals' women's volleyball team hosts Ohio, kids get in free while accompanying adult tickets are $5.

3. 1-MAC Week: An annual initiative focused on student-athlete well-being and unity across the conference. Each year, the MAC highlights one key theme — such as mental health, inclusion, or community service — to bring all 12 member institutions together under a shared message. This year's 1-MAC Week is Feb. 16-20, and the theme is community building.

4. Community Engagement: Expanding outreach programs with local organizations. The Committee identified a number of organizations that it has. and will continue to partner with, such as Habitat for Humanity, Muncie's Animal Rescue Fund "ARF", the Muncie Mission and Secret Families around the holidays

During these weeks, SAAC will work to provide education and resources to both the Ball State student-athlete body as well as the campus community.

Building off approximately 4,200 community service hours during the 2024-25 academic year which contributed to a local economic impact of over $140,000, the organization is utilizing the HelperHelper application to track completed community service hours and to share new opportunities with which student-athletes can engage in the Muncie community.

For other community service requests, please contact SAAC staff advisor Ryne Hillenberg at rmhillenberg@bsu.edu or 765-285-8581.

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Names New Representatives for the 2025-26 Academic Year

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