MOBILE, Ala.- Rhyan Connolly of the South Alabama Women's Soccer team was appointed as the SAAC President for the 2025-26 year.

 Connolly, a native of Holly Springs, Georgia, is a graduate student studying sports administration. Before South Alabama, she was a member of the women's soccer team at East Tennessee State from 2021-24, where she was also a member of SAAC. Connolly has built up an impressive resume, participating in the 2024 Careers in Sport Forum and was the 2024-25 Campus Engagement Chair.

As SAAC President, Connolly has several responsibilities, including engaging with the city of Mobile, making stronger connections with other students on campus, and creating a greater sense of community within the student-athlete body. She will also represent the university on the department's Intercollegiate Athletics Council. Another key part of Connolly's role is the leadership of approximately 40 student athletes to help pursue SAAC's mission, which is "to promote the betterment of student-athletes throughout the athletics department, University campus, Mobile community, Sun Belt Conference, and the National Collegiate Athletics Association". Connolly will replace Jordan Rosier, a two-time alum of the university who led SAAC from 2023-25.

 "I am grateful to have been appointed SAAC president", said Connolly. "It means a lot to me that the athletic administrators trust me with this role. I am excited to have this position alongside our student athletes who show initiative for involvement. South Alabama Athletics ended the Spring 2025 semester ranked 3rd in community service hours amongst all NCAA institutions. Going into next year, I believe that we have the drive to continue to be ranked within the top three of this recognition. 

I also plan to keep our student-athletes involved in campus-led events. So much of what we have as student-athletes would not be possible without the support from our university. With this, it is impactful for us to continue to stay engaged with what is happening around South, outside of athletics. 

I'd also love to find more ways for student-athletes to get connected and support each other. As student-athletes, we all have to find a balance between our busy schedules. If we can find ways to show up for each other in the midst of our commitments, I feel it will positively contribute to the culture that South Alabama Athletics has created."

"Rhyan arrived at South Alabama this past fall and made an immediate impact within SAAC", said Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance Ty Singletary. "She has a background full of leadership activities, which includes being the 2024-25 SAAC Campus Engagement Chair. Soon after she arrived at South Alabama, Rhyan was an obvious pick to become the next SAAC president. She will lead an important group of students who play a pivotal role in the Department of Athletics' mission". 
 
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