Kelly Biette (Brighton, Colo.) of the volleyball team and Garrett Anderson (Kennewick, Wash.) from the baseball team represented Seattle University at the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) annual meeting June 8-10.

With Seattle U joining the WAC July 1, Biette, the incoming president of Seattle U's SAAC, and Anderson, the new executive vice president of the Redhawk student-athlete group, were able to join representatives from the other nine member schools in planning for the upcoming academic year.

"I had a great time in Denver. It was very interesting to hear the points of views of student-athletes from other schools and especially other sports. Kelly and I thought about many things to do in our SAAC that can increase its usefulness and I think make everything better for all student-athletes here in Seattle. Also, we realized how good our SAAC attendance is compared to other schools and how lucky we are to have people in our administration like Greg (Sempadian) and Erin (Engelhardt) that show up to all the meetings," Anderson said.

Two key issues discussed at the WAC meeting were sportsmanship and community service. The committee approved an initiative to promote and recognize good sportsmanship and ethical behavior throughout the academic year with the establishment of the WAC Sportsmanship Award. WAC SAAC members will manage the nomination process and select the award recipients each year.

The committee established a goal for all member schools to complete 10,000 hours of community service with the theme "Dedicate to Educate." The SAAC members engaged in a community service project during the three-day session at The Children's Hospital Denver and the Ronald McDonald House, participating in various craft projects with the children.

"My favorite part of the experience was the community service project at The Children's Hospital Denver," remarked Biette. "Making t-shirts and finger-painting with the kids and their families was something really special. They enjoyed the escape from the hospital room and we were able to make things with them that brightened up their day."

Seattle University will officially join the Western Athletic Conference July 1, 2012, with 17 of the school's 20 sports, including baseball and volleyball, eligible for WAC championships and the league's automatic bids to NCAA tournaments.