MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) announced its Executive Board for the 2025-26 academic year on Tuesday.

Graduate Student Rhyan Connolly of the soccer team will serve as SAAC president, with volleyball junior Sarah Gooch serving as the vice president. These two student-athletes return to the executive staff after a successful 2024-25 academic year in which South Alabama ranked third in the Sun Belt Conference in community service hours.

President Connolly had this to say about her vision for SAAC, "My vision for SAAC this year is to see South Alabama Athletics become even more connected with the Mobile community, our campus and each other. With these intentions, and through the dedicated support our athletics staff provides, I believe we can continue building on the strong presence we already have within the Sun Belt Conference and the NCAA."

The remainder of the executive board comprises student-athletes who serve as four chairs that focus on segments prominent to SAAC's objectives: Mallory Norton, a senior track and field student-athlete who will serve as the campus engagement chair, Baxter Turner, a redshirt-sophomore on the football team who will serve as the community engagement chair, volleyball senior Rachel Rossman who will act as SAAC's external communications chair, and Georgia Cousins, a junior soccer student-athlete who is the legislation chair.

SAAC is a student-led service organization created to provide leadership opportunities to those student-athletes who desire to create an impact beyond intercollegiate competition. The organization promotes the betterment of student-athletes throughout the athletics department, the campus, the Mobile community, the Sun Belt Conference, and the National Collegiate Athletics Association. The following priorities are the foundation for South Alabama SAAC:
A. Provide a forum for student-athletes to share ideas on how to augment the student-athlete experience
B. Represent the student-athlete voice in discussions within the athletic department, University, and sport governing body leadership
C. Establish initiatives to encourage student-athlete participation in campus and community service.

For campus or community engagement ideas, reach out to Ty Singletary, SAAC Advisor.

2025-26 SAAC representatives:
Juan Accossatto, Men's Tennis
Casey Caliva, Dance
Mallorie Collins, Cheer
Logan Collins, Cheer
Rhyan Connolly, Soccer
Georgia Cousins, Soccer
Melina Descary, Soccer
Tyler Doty, Men's Track & Field
Charleen Elizondo, Women's Track & Field
Manal Ennaciri, Women's Tennis
Katelyn Foster, Women's Golf
Hailey Gauff, Cheer
Sarah Gooch, Volleyball
Caroline Hairston, Dance
Braden Hannig, Men's Tennis
Cole Haygood, Men's Golf
Joseph Hellwege, Cheer
Iyana Johnson, Women's Track & Field
Rett Johnson, Baseball
Peyton Law, Men's Basketball
Presley Lively, Softball
Presley Loberg, Volleyball
Aroa Mangas, Women's Basketball
Duncan Mathews, Baseball
Darius McKenzie, Football
Sophia Mendoza, Softball
Presleigh Montalvo, Women's Track & Field
Chrysta Narcisse, Women's Basketball
Mallory Norton, Women's Track & Field
Mose Piper, Men's Track & Field
Rachel Rossman, Volleyball
Samuel Shoptaw, Men's Basketball
Alicia Spann, Women's Basketball
Baxter Turner, Football
Devin Voisin, Football

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