As a student-athlete at Bay Path University, you get to be involved with the campus community. Bay Path University's Director of Athletics and Head Softball Coach Steve Smith hopes that all student-athletes become active in more than their academics and athletics throughout their time at Bay Path.
Student Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC) is an excellent way for student-athletes to get involved in the community while advocating for their sport. Throughout their time at Bay Path, athletes will mature their leadership, cooperation, and communication skills. When it comes to their time to graduate, the student-athletes, throughout their experience in academics and athletics, will improve their abilities to lead as women. As a group of student-athlete representatives, this committee provides information on what it might be like to be a student-athlete. In addition, it is their job to speak out on any rules, regulations, and policies that affect student-athletes living on campus.
Athletics is an addition to the collegiate experience at Bay Path. Student-athletes are given a chance to grow to their full potential within goal setting, fitness, and self-esteem. Women in sports should be considered guides to display sportsmanship and respect on behalf of Bay Path University.
Bay Path University's intent in the athletics program makes it essential for their student-athletes to give their best effort to achieve their academic goals. Student-athletes are expected to be aware of the responsibilities associated with balancing their academics, athletics, and social time with a commitment to community service. Bay Path Athletics strives to create an all-around positive environment for student-athletes to compete. The program will ensure that the student-athletes well-being is prioritized instead of the entertainment that the sport may bring to the institution.
SAAC members took part in a wide variety of events on campus this year. To start the year with a bang, the soccer and volleyball team assisted returning and new residents in moving in. The two teams waited outside Bollum and Wright to assist families by bringing in items and showing off their strength to the Bay Path community. Just a few days later, SAAC offered free smoothies to students and staff on campus to give them a treat on their first day of classes. Several times this semester, current student-athletes spoke to prospective students about their experience being on either the softball, soccer, or volleyball team. Each ongoing student-athlete shared how they balance academics and athletics while maintaining a positive social life.
Later in the semester, Camila Herrera, Yasmine Badillo, and Caroline Austin gave candy to trick-or-treaters passing by Hatch Learning Commons on Halloween. Camila Herrera, a senior soccer team captain, states that "seeing kids having a smile on their face made my day, and implementing Bay Path Athletics into the Longmeadow community is crucial to get our name out there."
In addition, SAAC sponsored the livestream of volleyball's participation in competing for the national championship. The dining hall was filled with students and faculty to cheer on the volleyball team. It was so refreshing to see many students and staff come together to watch the volleyball team's success this past season. On November 18th, SAAC held a tag sale of retro Bay Path athletic merchandise. Some of the gear included old bags, t-shirts, jackets, pants, shoes, and lanyards. Prices were friendly to the average college student's budget, meaning everything was marked as a dollar except the shoes, which were marked as five.
Bay Path University is strongly tied to the Longmeadow Adult Center, as the volleyball team plays home games there. Therefore, all proceeds will benefit the Longmeadow Adult Center in support of their food pantry. To wrap up the semester, SAAC sponsored "Wildcat Intramurals Night," also called "WIN." WIN encourages students and staff to take a trip down to Longmeadow Adult Center to get moving and play friendly games of pickleball, volleyball, basketball, and more. WIN is a great way to de-stress before finals and get some fun physical activity. This has been quite the eventful semester for SAAC as they strive to hope for just as many events next semester. SAAC looks forward to bringing joy and smoothies to the community in 2025!
