April 27, 2012

CHICAGO- Seven UIC student-athletes visited St. Ann Grade School in the Pilsen neighborhood Thursday, speaking to young students about the importance of school and dreaming of attending college, while also participating in a Physical Education class.

In attendance were MaryKate Imrie, the starting setter from the volleyball team, men's basketball freshman Will Simonton, Sharon Mwale of the track & field team, Erin Duggan and Emily Lawrence from the women's gymnastics team, women's basketball Heidi Dahnke, and Moriba Diallo, a former men's soccer letterwinner and the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

"Yesterday's visit was a great chance for our student-athletes to get out into the community, but an even better opportunity for the kids at St. Ann," said Director of Marketing & Game Promotions Ryan Ptak. "They were able to hear first-hand about the value of gaining a college education from a group of student-athletes that has a lot on their plates in terms of balancing athletic and academic commitments. It was a great visit, and we're looking forward to more of the same in the future."

UIC student-athletes, along with the department's chapter of SAAC are very active in serving the community. In January, UIC student-athletes and Flames administrators volunteered for a Special Olympics event that took place inside the Physical Education Building.

About SAAC: The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience and to offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAA member institution campuses. An Association-wide SAAC was adopted by legislation approved at the 1989 NCAA Convention, and was formed primarily to review and offer student-athlete input on NCAA activities and proposed legislation that affected student-athletes.