Former volleyball student-athlete, Marie Godwin '10, was selected as the new Chair for the NCAA Division III National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) in the committee's last meeting in July held at NCAA Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. As Chair, Godwin will not only preside at National SAAC meetings but also will serve as the committee spokesperson to the media and represent the committee at various NCAA and outside group functions.

“It is such an honor to be on the committee in the first place, but to also be identified as the leader of a group of outstanding student-athletes and leaders is a tremendous compliment,” said Godwin. “ I look forward to leading this group going into the January 2011 NCAA Convention.”

The Division III SAAC is responsible for serving as the communication vehicle between national initiatives and the conference and campus SAACs. Furthermore, the Division III SAAC identifies significant student-athlete issues and forwards them to the appropriate governing committees. Also as a part of committee responsibilities, Godwin serves on the NCAA Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct Committee.  There are 24 members on the Division III SAAC, 16 of which are chosen from each of the four Division III regions across the nation, and eight student-athletes serve on the committee as at-large selections.

Godwin is in her final year of her term representing student-athletes from the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC). Her term expires May 2011 when a student-athlete from the UMAC will take her role on the Division III National SAAC.