JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville University Student Athlete Advisory Committee continued its positive impact and change making on the campus community and city of Jacksonville as a whole during the Fall 2025 semester.

Through partnerships with the Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville and Feeding Northeast Florida, JU's student-athletes dedicated their time and support to local families in need. 

As part of SAAC's ongoing partnership with the Ronald McDonald House, Dolphin student-athletes collected pop tabs which in turn were converted to monetary donations for families of children receiving critical medical care. This fall, SAAC helped collect roughly 15 pounds of pop tabs and participated in Rondald McDonald House's annual Deck the Doors campaign, decorating doors for families staying at the House to spread holiday cheer and create a supportive environment  during the holiday season. 

In partnership with Feeding Northeast Florida, Jacksonville athletic teams helped donate approximately 4,000 cans of food to help support families facing food insecurity in Duval County. Donating cans played a role in the annual Phin Cup competition, where teams earn points through weekly challenges, cross-team collaboration and participation in community service initiatives. Phin Cup not only encourages service but also promotes attendance and engagement at Jacksonville sporting events, strengthening unity across athletic teams. 

SAAC also supported the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) for the second consecutive year. In collaboration with Men's Lacrosse team, Cross Country programs, Women's Rowing and Women's Lacrosse, student-athletes helped educate the campus community on the importance of bone marrow donation. Their efforts helped register nearly 100 new donors which is about double the donor participation from the previous year. 

During October, SAAC supported Pinktober Fest, an event to raise awareness and funds for Pink Ribbon Jax, supporting patients and survivors of breast cancer, a disease that impacts over two-million people globally. 

Beyond community service efforts, SAAC members met with ASUN Commissioner Jeff Bacon to engage in meaningful dialogue surrounding the shifting landscape of collegiate athletics. This meeting helped student-athletes learn more about the NCAA landscape, developments in the NCAA and governance changes that will impact JU athletics for years to come.

Kicking off the spring semester, SAAC representatives participated in the ASUN SAAC virtual meeting, where student-athletes representatives from all ASUN schools met with ASUN Commissioner Jeff Bacon and JU Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert.  Discussions focused on professional development, ASUN and NCAA updates, emerging changes in collegiate athletics, and best practices. 

Throughout the spring, JU SAAC will continue to stay dedicated serving Jacksonville University and the Jacksonville community at large. For more information regarding SAAC and its mission, click HERE.