Senior is ready for last hurrah as part of student-athlete organization

Aaron Reekie
Antelope Staff

Joel Richards, a senior industrial distribution major from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, enjoys being a part of the Student Advisory Athletic Committee (SAAC).

For Richards, it started his freshman year. “It was a big decision for me,” Richards said. “I was already on the tennis team at the school. I just wanted to get involved with more athletes at the university, and some of the tennis guys at that time were also doing it, so I decided to join.”

Now a senior, he is excited to be a part of SAAC for one last year. “It is weird and cool at the same time, being the only guy on the tennis team who is a part of the committee, but that gives me the chance to stay connected with other athletes,” he said.

The organization has helped him to meet new people and see how the organization helps other athletes and tries to assist in a better experience for the athletes throughout their time here.

Richards said. “Being from another state, too, it was somewhat difficult, and I thought this would be good for me. Immediately, I knew too that this was going to be a good way to help other athletes and meet other people.”

What the committee does and how they help the other athletes in the school improving their overall Loper experience draws camaraderie.

“Well, we help and serve other student athletes at the university,” he said, discussing events with the athletes, and how we can further better their experience for being an athlete here at UNK,” Richards said. “Sometimes we talk about how we can get more student attendance at UNK athletic events, but we discuss a lot of things at the meetings.”

Personally, the organization has benefited his own college experience.

“It has really been a joy to be a part SAAC, because it has helped me grow as a person also meet new people,” he said. Not many people like tennis or even know of it because of how big football and basketball and even baseball is in this country, and it’s nice to get the word out about tennis,” he said.

Being a senior now and also being in my last semester, I have really enjoyed being a part of this organization. It has helped me grow as a person and I am going to miss it,” Richards said.