Junior soccer player Brooke Scianna traveled to the NCAA Convention in Anaheim, CA last week as a representative of Alfred State and the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.

Here are some of her thoughts about the trip.

NCAA Convetion Photo Gallery

Describe some of the events you participated in during the NCAA Convention?

The first day we were there we were able to attend the Honors Celebration. At this dinner I was able to see athletes receive awards such as Rocky Bleier and Adam Vinatieri. I was also able to see how people used there love from playing sports in college and turned it into a career. Darren Eales played soccer at Brown University and is now the President of Atlanta United Football Club. Rebecca Lobo played basketball at the University of Connecticut, went to the WNBA, played with team USA, and is now a TV analyst/reporter (They were also honored).

On the 23rd I had the opportunity to meet all of the DIII athletes who were representing their schools and SAAC. National SAAC gave us a presentation on what they were focusing on. The main topics were sustainability and a sexual violence resource guide. We then participated in the Special Olympics were we got to meet some awesome athletes. We played volleyball, bocce ball, flag football, corn hole, and had a photo session/get to know you station.

I was also able to attend the DIII issues form on the 24th where we learned about differences between generations, how to handle conversations regarding mental illness , NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and learned about the proposals that were going to be voted on on the 25th. I was also able to sit in the AMCC Conference meeting and learn what our conference wants to change and how they can better our experiences as students athletes. They discussed which proposals they were voting yes for and urged each other to vote yes to a proposal even if it didn't truly affect their school but because it would help someone else in the conference.

Lastly, I got to sit in on the business session were all of the proposals were passed or voted down. I never really knew the process they went through to get something passed. Almost all of the proposals were passed.

What was your favorite thing about representing Alfred State and the AMCC at the Convention?

My favorite part about being able to represent Alfred State was that I got to represent my school at the highest level possible. I was able to voice my opinions as a student athlete to other schools Athletic Directors during the issues form. I think being able to give an opinion from the student athlete perspective helped create new ideas on what to fight for next for DIII students athletes. It was also an honor to accept the award for the Annual Special Olympics event held at Alfred State. 

My favorite thing about representing the AMCC was that I got to be one of the only four there who represented the conference as a student athlete. Our National SACC rep wasn't able to attend so it felt good to give our input. I think also getting to share what we do as a conference SAAC gave the National SAAC new ideas. 

What did you learn about the NCAA or National SAAC from the trip?

I learned that the National SAAC works year round to help improve things for student athletes. I learned that their sustainability campaigns and sexual violence campaigns is something that we can do with our SAAC here at Alfred State. Something small can be turned into something big if we really work towards it. 

Overall it was a great experience. I learned a lot of new information and met a lot of new people. If there was one thing I could tell my fellow student athletes it would be to thank the people who are working hard to better your athletic experience. I don't think student athletes are aware of how hard their athletic directors and conference commissioners fight for them.