The Wittenberg Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has been awarded a $6,000 Division III Initiative Grant from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to develop programs that will enhance the welfare of the university’s nearly 600 active student-athletes each year.

Titled “The Wittenberg Way,” the program will focus on four primary objectives in the coming years, including helping freshmen adjust to becoming a collegiate student-athlete; educating incoming freshmen on the tradition of Wittenberg athletics and what it means to be an athlete on a college campus; educating student-athletes and coaches through relevant, engaging seminars and events; and uniting student-athletes on campus through events and activities.

The NCAA offers annual initiative grants to support the educational and professional development of students, faculty, staff and administrators at its more than 430 Division III member institutions and conferences. According to SAAC Adviser Tooti Snider, assistant to the director of athletics and recreation, the aforementioned objectives fit neatly into her goals for the organization, namely to help students adjust to college life while gaining knowledge in such areas as nutrition, campus diversity, academic development and sport psychology.

The grant has already provided the first-ever freshmen orientation for student-athletes. “Providing incoming student-athletes with a friendly, fun and educational experience is an important piece of their success,” Snider said.

– Ryan Maurer