SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) announces the 2024-25 officers and representatives. Elected by their peers, the SAAC officers represent each of their respective sports across campus and at both the conference and national level.
 
UIW SAAC Officers
Megan Smith (Swim and Dive) – President
Camryn Hooey (Artistic Swimming) – Vice President
Raymundo Gomez (Swim and Dive) – Treasurer
Tabatha Mata (Artistic Swimming) – Leadership
Andres Bendana (Tennis) – Leadership
Eric Pineda (XC/Track) – Leadership
 
President, Megan Smith enters her fourth season as a member of the UIW swim team, her third year as a member of UIW SAAC and her first term as president.
 
Megan said, "I feel driven to guide and serve as a leader for UIW athletics. I am happy to be able to provide a voice and leadership to all UIW student athletes."
 
Vice President Camryn Hooey is a member of the national championship winning artistic swim team. She is in her third year as a SAAC member and is looking to make a difference in the lives of student-athletes.
 
Camryn said, "It felt like a natural extension of my long-term goal of advocating for athletes, both now and in the future, hopefully as a sports lawyer! I can't wait to gain valuable leadership experience and make an immediate, tangible impact on the UIW athletic community."
 
Raymundo Gomez was named the SAAC Treasurer in his third year as a part of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
 
"I enjoy creating a positive community within the student-athletes and improving the overall athletic experience on campus. I wanted to become a SAAC officer to have a voice in the decisions that are improving the athletic programs at UIW," Raymundo said.
 
Tabatha Mata from the artistic swim team, Andres Bendana from the men's tennis team, and Eric Pineda who runs both cross country and track and field round out the officers in leadership roles.
 
Tabatha said, "I wanted to become a SAAC officer because I am passionate about leadership and wanted to make a difference in the student-athlete community. Through this role, I saw an opportunity to not only advocate for my peers but also develop my own skills in communication and organization while contributing to meaningful initiatives."
 
Along those same lines Andres said, "What I enjoy the most about being a SAAC office is being helpful to my peers and teammates. I enjoy being there for them, support them and assist them in whatever way I can. I enjoy getting to know them as people and as competitors, they are truly a source of inspiration for me to push my limits and be the best person I can be, for them and most importantly for myself."
 
Eric went on to say, "I became a SAAC officer to gain the meaningful experience of being in a leadership position and be an advocate for UIW student athletes."
 
SAAC is Committed to Excellence in the Community and Athletics, SAAC seeks to provide a platform for student-athlete leaders to interact, respond, and lend their voice to positively impact the student-athlete experience for all UIW student-athletes.
 
FOLLOW ALONG  
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