Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
Mission Statement
The purpose of the Saginaw Valley State University Students-Athlete Advisory Committee is to promote unity among the entire Athletic Department and Student-Athletes involved, take an active role in community service in an attempt to promote the University, Athletic Department, as well as a positive Student-Athlete image, and to address the concerns of the Student-Athletes and serve as a bridge between administration, staff, and Student-Athletes.
2024 SVs Award Show
The Saginaw Valley State University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) presented the annual SV Awards on Friday night (April 12) inside Ryder Center East Arena.
SAAC President, Jessica Massy, Vice-President, Tyler Scheid, along with Social Media Coordinator, Brook Herbstreit, and Make-A-Wish Foundation Coordinator, Mandy Ehrlich, served as co-hosts for the event.
And the winners are…
Male Athlete of the Year – Logan Fox, Swim & Dive – Made the NCAA Division II National Championships for the second consecutive year after qualifying in seven events. Broke SVSU records in the 100-yard breast, 200-yard individual medley, 200-free relay, 400-free relay, and the 200-medley relay.
Female Athlete of the Year – Cheyenne Nesbitt, Track & Field – Won the USA Track & Field Combined Championships and set an NCAA Division II record with her pentathlon final score of 4,475 points and was ranked second in all of college athletics with that total. Set SVSU indoor track and field records in the 60-meter hurdles, high jump, and pentathlon.
Male Newcomer of the Year – Felix Tom, Men's Soccer – Earned 1st-Team All-GLIAC in his first season on the Cardinal men's soccer team. Tom was a key piece of an SVSU defense that had the third-lowest goals-against average in the GLIAC.
Female Newcomer of the Year – Alexa Hieber, Swim & Dive – Qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships in three events and broke SVSU records in the 1,000-free, 1,650-free, and 800-free relay in her freshman season.
Mr. Cardinal – Rory Kaufman, Swim & Dive – Awarded to the male student-athlete who displays the most school spirit and support of their peers.
Mrs. Cardinal – Dori Payne, Women's Soccer – Awarded to the female student-athlete who displays the most school spirit and support of their peers.
Coach of the Year – Jason Lintjer, Swim & Dive – Led the SVSU Swim and Dive team to a historical season with a program-high 11 student-athletes qualifying for the NCAA Division II National Championships. The team finished Nationals with 18 total All-Americans, including one 1st-Team All-American.
Play of the Year – Micah Cretsinger, Football – Cretsinger recorded his fourth interception returned for a touchdown of the season in the team's final regular season game against Michigan Tech. That total tied the NCAA Division II record with four others (And set a GLIAC record).
Win of the Year – Baseball Beats CMU – SVSU Baseball traveled to Mount Pleasant on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, and defeated NCAA Division I Central Michigan 7-4.
Male Iron Cardinal – Colin Cornwell, Baseball – Awarded to the male student-athlete who embodies the epitome of strength, dedication, and leadership in the weight room. The winner of this award serves as an inspirational leader within the weight room, setting the standard for hard work, determination, and resilience, and is chosen by the SVSU Strength and Conditioning Staff.
Female Iron Cardinal – Victoria Stafford, Women's Basketball – Awarded to the female student-athlete who embodies the epitome of strength, dedication, and leadership in the weight room. The winner of this award serves as an inspirational leader within the weight room, setting the standard for hard work, determination, and resilience, and is chosen by the SVSU Strength and Conditioning Staff.
Male Comeback Player of the Year – Jaccar Watkins, Baseball - Awarded to the male student-athlete who has come back from not playing for a period and, despite the setback, excels upon returning to the sport. This recipient was selected by the SVSU Athletic Training Staff.
Female Comeback Player of the Year – Victoria Stafford, Women's Basketball - Awarded to the female student-athlete who has come back from not playing for a period and, despite the setback, excels upon returning to the sport. This recipient was selected by the SVSU Athletic Training Staff.
Team of the Year – Softball - The SVSU softball team concluded a historic 2022-23 season with back-to-back appearances in the final round of the NCAA Division II Regionals. The Cardinals finished the season with over 30 wins for the second consecutive season and repeated as the GLIAC tournament champions. The team saw three career records broken and set the single-season mark in walks with 190.
Community Service Award – Women's Basketball - Awarded to an SVSU team that has gone above and beyond by doing volunteer work or any organized events that greatly impact the community.
Team Spirit Award – Baseball – Awarded to a team via a live Instagram poll on the SVSU SAAC Page by those in attendance.