FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Nova Southeastern University is one of nine schools in the Sunshine State Conference. Each school has student athletes that chose to participate and represent their school through a club called Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). This year Nova Southeastern University is taking SAAC to a greater level.

In the past, athletes attended the meetings and volunteered at various events to maintain their SAAC status, but Lauren Boudreau ( Sr., on the woman’s rowing team) decided to”raise the bar” for the participating athletes.Boudreau was elected President of NSU’s SAAC in the winter semester of 2011, and has changed the program immensely in just one semester. With collaboration and support from the executive board members of SAAC, Nova’s athletes are already making a bigger impact. SAAC works closely with Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions, by raising money to help grant wishes as well as hosting special events at home athletic events for children to attend. In the past, NSU’s SAAC has raised a respectable amount of money for the organization, but Boudreau has decided that Nova’s athletes can do more.

This year, the athletes participating in SAAC decided to raise their standards and push their fundraising goal the Make-A-Wish Foundation to $5,000. In prior years Nova’s SAAC has sponsored activities at sporting events to raise money and has organized a silent auction. Although these events have been successful President
Boudreau decided we could increase our profits with a little more effort.

SAAC is holding a series of events they call Shark Nights, which are home games from each NCAA sport where the other athletic teams are encouraged to come  and support other sports a these events.SAC encourages donations, all proceeds made go to Make-A-Wish Foundation, with incentives of prizes for those who participate. Shark Night games is new to Nova and we have high hopes for success.

The first Shark Night kicked off this semester on September 29, 2012, at the Men’s Soccer game and was a great success. SAAC pushed to have as many athletes from other sports attend to support the cause and the athletes responded, - the stands were full, not only with fans but also other athletes. SAAC had members walking around asking for donations in a raffle that had a drawing where six lucky winners had the opportunity to win a prize. Through hard work and dedication NSU’s SAAC was able to raise nearly $100 for Make-A-Wish at just one event. After speaking to Boudreau and Roberto Baroniel (Soph., on men’s baseball and member of SAAC executive board), they agreed that the first Shark Night went extremely well and that they anticipate continued success in future Shark Nights. 

After having great success and support at their first Shark Night event the members of SAAC prepared for their second event at the Women’s Soccer game, on October 13, 2012. Members of NSU’s SAAC have decided to really make their organization known this year not only to students and facility at NSU. but also to the community. When women’s soccer shark night approached SAAC was ready for their event. They again set up a table for donations to Make-A-Wish foundation as well as had a raffle for prizes. Throughout the game members of the organization continued to reach out to the students, facility and community fans to raise another immense amount to add to their philanthropy, Make-A-Wish.

Shark Nights will continue to appear throughout the remainder of the semester as well as throughout future semesters. The next Shark Night will be held at the home opener for men’s and women’s swimming at the competition pool Saturday Oct. 20th, 2012 at 1 p.m. SAAC anticipates another successful day raising funds, for Make-A-Wish Foundation, in high hopes of reaching their charitable goal of $5,000. Come out and support your NSU Sharks Swimming as well as SAAC!