Compte and Fazio represent University of Dallas at NCAA Convention
(Some portions from SCACsports.com)
IRVING, Texas – Over January 13-16, there were 22 student-athletes that represented the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) at the 2016 NCAA Convention in San Antonio, Texas. The University of Dallas was privileged to send two representatives among the group, which included juniors Anna Fazio (Beaumont, Texas) and Alexandria Compte (Houston, Texas). Fazio is a member of the Dallas volleyball team and Compte plays softball.
Made possible through the NCAA Division III Strategic Initiative Grant, the 22 student-athletes participated in activities ranging from education sessions to business sessions to the NCAA Honors Celebration.
“It was cool to see the legislative process and how all directors from all over the country get to vote on every detail what we are doing to keep the Division III model,” Fazio stated. “Another interesting moment was getting to see how hard members of the NCAA work to keep what is in the best interest for the student-athlete.”
Compte added, “They really wanted to know our opinions. There were roundtables at the event, and student athletes were asked to spread out at different ones. We were asked what we thought on certain topics.”
The SCAC is only a handful of conferences to offer this as about 150 student-athletes attended in total for the entire convention. The previous opportunity the conference sent representatives was in 2012.
“It meant a lot that we got chosen to get to go to this, because it is not something every student athlete got to attend,” Compte said. “We met a lot of people and actually formed connections from different colleges. It was nice to be vocal and represent the University of Dallas especially.”
Compte is an active member on the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) for the Crusaders, and was able to gain some takeaways that could strengthen the presence at UD’s community.
“One thing I took away was the type of role SAAC can be on campus. It is an important piece for student-athletes to be involved and active in,” the softball player informed. “Division III is having a national wide campaign called “It’s On Us,” which is about awareness on stopping sexual harassment and violence. There is discussion about creating a video to support that effort.”
Many conferences now sponsor similar initiatives but in 2012, the SCAC was one of the first conference's at any level to bring a large contingent of student-athletes to the NCAA Convention. Commenting on the group's participation at the event, NCAA Division III Vice President Dan Dutcher said the SCAC delegation at the 2012 Convention helped reinforce the student-athlete experience, which is at the heart of the Division III philosophy.
“It was an honor to a part of the convention, and it would not have happened without them,” Fazio reflected on having the chance of going. “We saw how much the conference is involved with every school and making every team and player better. It was very obvious how much the SCAC cares to invite us down there and to have us represent our institutions by making a visible presence. I think the SCAC truly cares about what the student athletes need, want, and desire to have in their programs. Alex and I loved every moment of it.”
(Meeting Dikembe Mutombo)
(Alexandria Compte (Left) and Anna Fazio (Right) attended NCAA Convention among 22 student-athlete representatives for the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference)