Courtesy: WIU Visual Productions Center Western Illinois senior Eric Anerino will represent The Summit League on the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

MACOMB, Ill.  -  Western Illinois senior Eric Anerino has been selected as The Summit League representative to the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Anerino, a two-sport athlete in cross country and track and field, is one of just 31 student-athletes across the nation that were chosen to represent their respective athletic conferences on the national committee.

“This is a huge honor and responsibility,” said Anerino. “I am humbled by it and look forward to the opportunities ahead.”

The Division I National SAAC consists of one student-athlete from each of the 31 Division I conferences. The Division I SAAC reports directly to the Division I Management Council, and two SAAC members participate in each meeting of the Management Council as nonvoting members. The mission of the NCAA Division I SAAC is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete well being, and fostering a positive student-athlete image.
“Every chance I have to represent Western Illinois is a huge honor,” said Anerino. “And now representing our 400 plus student-athletes is something I am very proud to do.”

Anerino’s first duty with the committee is to attend a four-day national conference Nov. 19-22 in Orlando, Fl. Among the 31 student-athlete representatives from across NCAA Division I, Anerino gets to offer input and assist in shaping proposed legislation and other policies by which the division is governed.

“Eric is very deserving of this opportunity,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Tim Van Alstine.  “His efforts and leadership, both here on our campus and within The Summit League, have certainly positioned him for work on this national committee.  Eric will be a terrific asset to the NCAA Division I SAAC.”

In addition to being an all-conference athlete and student, Anerino has been a persistent influence in the university community, especially the athletic department. He has served as a member of the Western Illinois SAAC since his sophomore year. Notable events he has attended include the 2007 NCAA Division I SAAC conference in Orlando, Fl. and The Summit League SAAC conference  in Elmhurst, Ill. in the summer of 2009.

“I feel that Eric’s appointment to represent the Summit League on the NCAA Division I National SAAC is the latest in a string of achievements that Eric can add to his illustrious Western Illinois University career,” said Director of Athletics Academic Services/Senior Woman Administrator Lisa Melz. “Eric truly epitomizes what it means to be a Division I student-athlete, by consistently making the Dean’s List, excelling in his sport and regularly volunteering in the community.  Eric is a great role model for all WIU student athletes and will be a great role model for those students’ lives he will impact in the future every day as a teacher.”