The University of North Dakota Athletic Department is proud to continue to provide their student-athletes with a voice to advocate for various policy and wellbeing initiatives. UND Athletics has three designated student organizations that formulate the Student-Athlete Leadership Council:
 
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (UND SAAC)
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a leadership committee made up of student-athlete representatives from each sports program. The NCAA requires the sponsorship of the SAAC. The SAAC is an excellent vehicle to promote communication between the Department of Athletics and student-athletes. The Department of Athletics has a wealth of information that needs to be routinely distributed to student-athletes and at the same time, is interested in receiving feedback from student-athletes about departmental policies and structure. The purpose of the SAAC includes the following:

• Generating a student-athlete voice within the department by meeting, at least monthly, to discuss current issues in intercollegiate athletics and evaluate and suggest improvements regarding departmental policy and procedures;
• Soliciting student-athlete responses to proposed NCAA legislation;
• Creating a vehicle for student-athlete representation on campus-wide committees;
• Assisting the Department of Athletics in addressing the needs and concerns of the student-athletes;
• Planning and implementing activities and programs to enhance the student-athlete experience;
• Organizing community service efforts; and
• Helping to promote life-long leadership skills in SAAC members and other student-athletes.

 
 
Student-Athletes for Inclusion & Diversity (UND SAID)
 
Student-Athletes for Inclusion and Diversity (SAID) was created as a student driven organization to foster an inclusive and welcoming campus environment. The SAID Executive Board and SAID Ambassadors will prioritize education, outreach, and engagement for all spectrums of diversity, inclusion, and equity.  
 
Active SAID members will attend monthly meetings, design programming options for fellow student-athletes and the campus community, advocate for social justice, assess current team dynamics and climate, and create dialogue between student-athletes and the athletic department.  
 
Areas of Focus 
Education: UND SAID will create and distribute educational content focusing on diversity, inclusion, and equity. 
 
Outreach: UND SAID will act as liaisons interacting with other student organizations on the UND campus and the Grand Forks community.  
  
Engagement: UND SAID will help organize and plan events and campaigns within the athletic department and greater campus community.  
 
Support: UND SAID will support the specific needs of the student-athlete population and sub-populations. 
 
The SAID Executive Board and SAID Ambassadors 
UND student-athletes interested in becoming a SAID Executive Board member or SAID Ambassador should have an interest in growing SAID programming and objectives and will best serve to represent as an advocate for the athletic department’s culture and dynamics.   
 
SAID Executive Board 
The SAID Executive Board will take on formal leadership roles to determine and develop educational and engagement opportunities for the UND athletic department. There will be five executive board positions available within the organization. Student-athletes interested in an executive board position will be required to submit a formal application and will be selected from a voting committee made up of UND student-athletes, UND coaches, and athletic department staff.   
 
Responsibilities:  

• Facilitate monthly UND SAID meetings 
• Manage UND SAID budget 
• Determine outreach strategies for meetings, programming, and campaigns 

• Assist with recruitment of UND SAID Ambassadors 
• Seek out collaboration efforts with the UND athletic department, campus and Greater Grand Forks community 

 
SAID Ambassadors  
SAID Ambassadors are open positions for UND student-athlete looking to enhance the diversity, inclusion, and equity initiatives of the UND athletic department. To be a recognized UND SAID Ambassador, a student-athlete must fulfill the following responsibilities in an academic year.  
 
Responsibilities:  

• Attend 80% of UND SAID meetings 
• Assist with the creation of educational and engagement opportunities for the UND athletic department  
• Develop support strategies for UND student-athletes  

• Complete LGBTQIA Ally Training  
• Complete Intersectionality Training  
• Complete Civic Engagement and Activism Training  

 
 
 
The Hidden Opponent (UND THO)
The purpose of The Hidden Opponent is to raise awareness for student-athlete mental health and address the stigma within sports culture. The Hidden Opponent empowers athletes around the world to face the hidden opponent together. The Hidden Opponent has three areas of focus:
 
Advocate: We believe that all student-athletes should be able to speak openly about their mental health experiences without worrying about being judged or viewed as weak. Our platform help’s amplify the voices and needs of student- athletes.
 
Educate: We will bring light to the many issues and struggles that student-athletes face, raising awareness to break the stigma of mental health in athletic culture. We hope to give athletic programs, clubs, and society a different perspective on the student-athlete lifestyle.
 
Support: This community is a safe space for all student-athletes to feel heard, supported, and loved. We provide free access and support from mental health professionals and experts in this field.