San Antonio – The Tigers had a top-notch student-athlete representing Trinity this week at the NCAA Convention at Indianapolis.

Junior Sal Perdomo (Irving, Texas/Jesuit College Prep), a standout in men's cross country and track and field, was one of 18 representatives of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) attending the NCAA's annual confab.

“Attending the convention enhanced my pride in being a Division III athlete,” said Perdomo, the secretary of Trinity's SAAC, who represents cross country. “It showed the NCAA does care about DIII, and not just about DI. I'm hoping there will be more student involvement in the future. It made us feel special to have a voice.”

The conference student-athletes were able to attend the convention because of a grant from the NCAA Division III Strategic Initiative, and the dedication of the SCAC.

The itinerary was full for the 18 conference athletes selected to attend the national event. The SCAC group met with the Division III National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, in an exchange of ideas. One of the most fascinating aspects was attendance at the Athletics Directors Council winter meeting, getting first-hand knowledge of the workings of intercollegiate athletics.

It wasn't all business, however, as the final evening culminated with the NCAA Honors Celebration. Among the celebrity athletes in attendance were Tim Brown (football), Kevin Johnson (basketball), and San Antonio Spurs legend David Robinson.

Dan Dutcher, the NCAA Vice President of Division III, told the conference group the SCAC was a trail-blazing organization in sponsoring the large number of student-athletes in attendance.

NCAA President Mark Emmert stated there were no “magic solutions” or “easy buttons” to solving issues in the organization. He focused on the topic of educating athletes.

The subjects of diversity, the history of Title IX legislation, and the business of sports were also addressed.

Feedback was a key element of the conference SAAC. Members were able to go one-on-one with directors of athletics and other officials, giving opinions about proposed legislation and directives.

The young representatives also attended the Division III Student-Athlete Experience. Some of the topics which were discussed were student-athlete time demands, how DIII athletes care about academics and athletics equally, and the positive effect of student-athletes on campus.

Community service is also a major component of Trinity's SAAC. Initiatives have included Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, food drives for the San Antonio Food Bank, and San Antonio's Rock 'N' Roll Marathon.

Recently, during Trinity's Alumni Weekend, the SAAC sold black T-shirts prior to home athletics events, with the proceeds going to two cancer-fighting organizations. The purpose was for all to wear the T-shirts and form a “Black Out” against cancer.

The SAAC, with women's soccer player Ally Hunter serving as president, has two advisors from the Department of Athletics staff. Women's basketball head Coach Amie Bradley, and women's soccer head Coach Lance Key.