ETTRICK, VA (June 28, 2021)- As the Virginia State University (VSU) Athletic Department gears up for the 2021-22 season, brainstorming sessions are in the works for this year's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Under the new administrative guidance of Mrs. Cassandra S. Price, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Communications, SAAC will be led by junior (on the court) women's basketball scholar-athlete Jalynn Spaulding . Entering her 2^nd term as president, Spaulding is eager to get back into the swing of "normalcy" after leading the student-athletes during the pandemic.

"Entering my 2^nd year as SAAC president, I plan on implementing my leadership skills that I used last year," said Spaulding. "I am excited to continue to be the voice of student-athletes and continue to make a noticeable impact the best way we know how!"

Although she is not new to SAAC cabinet, serving as the Events Coordinator, junior (on the court) volleyball scholar-athlete Ambria McBride has added on the title of SAAC Vice President.

"I expect to network with different people to be able to move not only VSU's SAAC forward but other schools as well," said McBride.  "I want to make sure that SAAC as a whole is not only helping our student-athletes but the community too!"

Spaulding and McBride will be participating in the 2021-22 CIAA SAAC Virtual Meeting and Retreat set for July 18-20. They will gain understanding of the role SAAC plays within the conference and at VSU, as well as, collaborate on CIAA goal planning and community activations for the year.

Knowing the diligence and creativity of Spaulding and McBride, Mrs. Price has faith that SAAC is under the right leadership to succeed.

"Our student-athletes have endured a lot over the past 16+ months, so it is our job to create a new normal as they return to play," said Price. "We want our student-athletes to lean on SAAC more than ever, as we continue to develop an environment of unity, service, leadership and sportsmanship! Our student-athletes should not only be engaged in the classroom and on the playing surface, but we want them to be excited to be back in Trojan Nation."

For the most up-to-date information on VSU SAAC please visit www.govsutrojans.com, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports and on Instagram VSUtrojans_1882.