Get to Know the A-Sun's New SAAC Officers for 2014-15

Led by Northern Kentucky’s Malika Glover, a quartet of very capable student-athletes is ready to lead the A-Sun Student Athlete Advisory Committee as the 2014-15 academic year is just days away from beginning.

Glover, a senior guard for the Norse, joins Vice-Chair April Terry (Lipscomb women’s track & field), Secretary Shannon Christian (Kennesaw State women’s track & field) and A-Sun National SAAC Representative Brittney Reed (Kennesaw State women’s soccer) in leadership this year. Read below for more about each of the A-Sun SAAC leaders via their Q&A.

Chair – Malika Glover, NKU Women’s Basketball

Favorite Athlete: Serena Williams

Favorite Team: Detroit Lions

CD in your car player right now: India Arie - Voyage to India

Favorite Band/Artist: Hillsong Worship

Favorite Social Media Outlet: Twitter

Favorite Movie: Princess Diaries 2

Favorite Actor/Actress: Tina Fey

Favorite Food: Nachos (not the concessions kind)

Vice-Chair – April Terry, Lipscomb Women’s Track and Field

Hobbies Outside of Your Sport: Exploring Nashville, going to concerts, art, and annoying my little brother

Favorite Athlete: Serena Williams. She makes being strong fabulous!

Favorite Team: Team USA. I love watching the Olympics. 

CD in your car player right now:  Booker T, Sound the Alarm

Favorite Band/Artist: Justin Timberlake

Favorite Social Media Outlet: Facebook. I refuse to get a Twitter or Instagram. I also like Vine, as my suitemate Ashley Southern from Lady Bison Basketball and I will watch and laugh for hours.  

Favorite Actor: Matthew McConaughey

Favorite Food: Cold Watermelon

Secretary – Shannon Christian, Kennesaw State Women’s Track and Field

Hobbies Outside of Your Sport: Writing, listening to music, dancing

Favorite Athlete: Gabby Douglas

Favorite Team: Any team at KSU

CD in your car player right now: R&B channel on Sirius Radio

Favorite Band/Artist: Drake

Favorite Social Media Outlet: Instagram

Favorite Movie: Law Abiding Citizen

Favorite Actor: Denzell Washington

Favorite Food: Chips and Queso

A-Sun Representative to the NCAA SAAC – Brittney Reed, Kennesaw State Women’s Soccer

Hobbies Outside of Your Sport: Going to the lake

Favorite Athlete: Abby Wambach

Favorite Team: US Women’s National Team

CD in your car player right now: Summer Jam Mix tape 2012

Favorite Band/Artist: Carrie Underwood

Favorite Social Media Outlet: Instagram 

Favorite Movie: Bridesmaids

Favorite Actor/Actress: Sandra Bullock

Favorite Food: Mexican

If you could play any other sports besides your own, what would it be and why?

MG: The one other sport I wish I could play besides basketball would have to be Tennis. I always grew up watching tennis on TV and I even went to a couple camps when I was younger to learn. Sadly I was awful and never got the hang of it. Now I resort to simply living through Serena Williams.

AT: Volleyball. I played in middle and high school and actually dreamed of playing in college. I love watching our team play, and probably get a little too excited when they score points.

SC: Volleyball. I love watching it.

BR: I would play football. I’ve always wanted to play football since I was a little girl since I was a tomboy and loved competing against boys. My parents figured it was too rough and chose to sign me up for soccer.

Why is involvement in SAAC so important?

MG: Being involved in SAAC for has been such a great experience. I love the fact that the student athletes have a say. SAAC is a way for our voices to be heard but also a way for us to reach back to our communities and stand united.

AT: While the SAAC’s main goal is to hear the voices of student athletes, it is important to me because it gives student-athletes leadership positions and opportunities to contribute to the campus outside of the playing field.  It helps student athletes become, as the A-Sun motto says, not only just champions of sport, but also winners for life.

SC: It is important that the student-athlete has a voice, and we represent not only ourselves but also all of our student-athletes through our activity. Being a collegiate student-athlete teaches your things about dedication, commitment and time management and I believe that SAAC can assists our SAs with those things as well.

BR: As a representative for SAAC at the institutional, Conference, or National level, I feel it is important to be involved with SAAC to develop leadership skills and express our opinions as Student athletes.

What is/are your goal(s) via your leadership in SAAC this year?

MG: My goals for SAAC would be to communicate clearly and to complete current SAAC initiatives with both the A-Sun SAAC and NKU. I am so thankful, for the leaders before who have led by example with their leadership. I hope to continue in their footsteps.

AT: I would love for SAAC members to get to know each other better this year. I look forward to the A-SUN SAAC meetings and want the representatives to spend more time with each other. No one knows about being a student athlete better than our fellow student athletes, so having that fellowship time will be rewarding.

SC: We already have a good presence in the community through current activities but I would like to see even more community involvement from our student-athletes. It seems as though we see the same people and I would like to get more teams represented in the group.

BR: I would like to become a more educated leader who efficiently represents the voices of student athletes from Kennesaw State University and the Atlantic Sun Conference.

If you could improve one thing about your game, what would it be?

MG: Definitely my outside shot.

AT: I think way too much. I would like to just go out there and throw without dwelling on achieving perfect technique every time.

SC: Improve my high jump and shot put to join the stronger scorers since you get one combined score from those

BR: I would like to be braver heading the ball. After I got a concussion in high school, I am sometimes hesitant to head the ball.

What is your best memory as a player?

MG: My best memory in basketball at NKU comes from winning our first post-season tournament game last year. Every year we continue to improve so I am really excited for this upcoming year.

AT: Participating in the Costal Carolina University Invitational flight of the hammer throw with Olympian Amber Campbell, and competing with women’s hammer world recorder holder, Betty Heidler, at the University of Tennessee, all this season. I have watched countless videos of those two throwing the hammer to help me with my own technique, and I never would have guessed I would meet and compete with my throwing heroes. Collegiate track and field is amazing because the meets are open, meaning anyone can participate, and that gives us the chance to sometimes see or compete with professional athletes.

SC: Practicing in snow was one of the coolest things that I can remember.

BR: Winning a Youth Soccer National Championship

What is your game-day routine?

MG: I honestly do not have much of a routine on game days. I go to shoot around/ pre game meal, I never take naps because I always feel like I will oversleep and miss the game.  Before the game I like to just relax listen to gospel music and do some mental reps.

AT: I always lay out my uniform the night before, listen to upbeat music, and say a prayer on the way to the meet. I’m also superstitious-I won’t pick up a shot put until it is time to compete and I always call or text my mom after a meet.

SC: Go through the neuromuscular wakeup early in the day to get the muscles warm, eat a good breakfast about an hour and half before warm up.

BR: I listen to music as I am preparing for a game. Also, I wear white athletic tape on my left wrist with a motivational quote.

What is the best advice that you were ever given?

MG: To live in the present.

AT: My mom asked me “how bad do you want it?” once when discussing some athletic goals. Though it’s not “advice”, I always ask myself that question when I’m trying to accomplish something as a reminder that I will have to work harder to achieve what I want, as well as assess what I am willing to do to get there.

SC: One thing that stands out – If you are going to be your biggest critic, don’t forget to be your biggest fan. You can always see a need to improve, and is easy to beat yourself up if you don’t also remember to celebrate the victories.

BR: Be confident and brave.

Do you have a favorite quote/saying/mantra?

MG: Bible Verse – Ephesians 1:11

 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

AT: Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can do what others can’t!

 I’m too blessed to be depressed.

SC: The pain of discipline is sweeter than the pain of regret.

BR: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard” –Tim Notke

How do you define a good teammate?

MG: I think there can be many forms of a good teammate but I think some of the main attributes are passion, selflessness, and visionary commitment. These are just a few qualities, but there is nothing better than having a teammate that you can trust, count on, and know the whatever happens they are all about the team.

AT: Proverbs says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity”. A good teammate is like the brother- there to love you when you win, but more importantly, ready to support and encourage when you lose.

SC: A good teammate is someone who is a hard worker, encouraging and honest. They set realistic goals and keep the team in mind, with a servant leadership mindset. They are someone who shows someone by helping them.

BR: A teammate who is: passionate, committed, a friend, and self-disciplined.

The best thing about my school is……

MG: MY TEAM...... But I really do have some of the best professors. 

AT: The best thing about my school is the people. The supportive atmosphere is why I chose to go there.  

SC: Campus life as a whole as KSU. There really is something for everyone so that you can get plugged in and find community.

BR: The Soccer Stadium

What does a “winner” look like?

MG: I think that a winner is someone who never gives up, in any circumstance. They are able to see the best in others and themselves. Winners are people who have a motivated mindset and expect greatness. To me the most important characteristic of a winner is someone who makes the best of every situation enjoying the little things in life.

AT: A winner is someone who strives to be his or her best. They win, even if it’s not the best, because they gave all of their effort.

SC: A person who through defeat ignores negativity and keeps trying. You are a winner in life when you don’t let defeat, defeat you.

BR: A true winner is a person who can persevere and overcome adversity under pressure.