GROW Leadership Program
20 student-athletes participated in a year-long leadership program. The student-athletes challenged themselves to step out of their comfort zone and GROW as a leader. Topics discussed this year were core values, purpose design, DiSC, strengths based leadership, emotional intelligence and crucial conversations. Participants developed their leadership philosophies and action plans to carry with them during their next stage of leadership. Check out some of the purpose designs developed by the student-athletes and hear from some of them below.
Meg Kofron, Women's Soccer GROW Participant
"The GROW program provides so much potential benefit for all its participants! It’s hard to explain everything I’ve learned in the program this year because of how complex the conversation around leadership is. GROW really challenged me to think about how I lead, the effectiveness, and the reasons behind it. Not only did I tap into understanding why I lead but also how. It’s an extremely large topic that deals with strengths and weaknesses, emotional intelligence, core values, and crucial conversations. I think I will be holding onto the lessons, conversations, and concepts I learned in this program for a large part of my adult life. Which will hopefully only allow me to better motivate and foster positive environments."
Erandi Aguirre, Artistic Swimming GROW Participant
"This program provides lots of essential topics to grow as athletes and human beings, starting with the knowledge of my core values, where they come from, and why they are important. Later on, the topic of emotional intelligence was discussed, which is the unique ability to perceive, control and evaluate our emotions. Finally, one of my favorite topics, "crucial conversations," which is a key topic for being a leader. I have truly grown as a leader by understanding and putting into practice these key topics."
Women's Empowerment Event
In honor of Women's History Month, 70 women student-athletes and 11 professional women joined together in fellowship during the 2022 Women's Empowerment Event. The women participated in uplifting and empowering activities and discussion topics. Student-athlete participants garnered knowledge from professional women in their respective industries (Education, Healthcare, Fundraising, Communication, Marketing, Non-Profit, Business, and Local Government) and discussed what it is like to be a woman in the workforce in 2022.
Amaya Spearman, Women's Empowerment Event Participant
“Going into the Women’s Empowerment Event, I thought I had never been to an event that was made to learn and encourage other women, after attending I realized playing soccer and being surrounded by girls and women for 16 years has always been a women’s empowerment event within itself. I loved how this event was a safe space to talk openly about experiences, perspectives, and personal growth. I learned how to continue to grow and empower others with my words and actions. Being able to attend an event like this was a perfect reminder that women are headed in the direction of wanting equal opportunities and wanting to encourage each other with strength and confidence while we’re at it!”
Gabby Estrada, UIW Alum - San Antonio Fire Department
“I had the opportunity to go back to UIW to speak to current student-athletes and it was so much fun! I was able to sit down with the athletes and give them advice from my transition from former student-athlete to the workforce. It was really rewarding answering their questions about my experience and I hope our conversations helped some of them in the future! If any alumni get the chance I’d highly recommend to get back on campus for these events and connect with current student-athletes. This is something I really would have enjoyed when I was in their shoes and it’s a great way to give back to our UIW community and stay in touch with our alma mater!”
Athlete Transition Panel
Five alumni student-athletes made their return to UIW to offer insight into the student-athlete transition process to life after sports. Alumni offered insight into challenges, identity discovery, professional preparation, and transferable skills.
Athletes in Mentorship (AIM)
20 student-athletes participated in the AIM freshman mentor program this academic year. The AIM mentor pairs met biweekly 10 times throughout this semester to participate in guided trainings and discussion questions. Topics that were discussed included: growth mindset, study tips and organization, values clarification, discovering self-care and mental wellness, leadership, relationship building, DISC, career and major exploration, and prep for next year! Hear from some of our participants below:
Camryn Hooey, Artistic Swimming Mentee
"Being a mentee in the Athlete in Mentorship Program (AIM) was very helpful for me as an incoming freshman athlete and international student. The Program assisted me in learning about my myself as a person, student and athlete. I would definitely recommend AIM because it is a great way for new students to meet other students, upperclassmen in your own sport as well as other aspiring leaders in other UIW sports."
Matt Hardy, Men's Swimming Mentor
"The AIM mentorship program is an invaluable aspect of UIW Athletics. The importance of an upperclassmen helping guide a freshman through their first two semesters cannot be understated. Through the program I learned leadership skills, coordination skills, and better communication with others. The program helps freshman get acquainted with UIW life and creates leaders out of the upperclassmen who help them.”
Student-athletes completed a record breaking 6,540 hours of service this academic year. Take a peak at some of our service projects and hear from a few coaches and a student-athlete below:
Remy Huston, Men's Golf Head Coach: 247 team community service hours completed this academic year
"The great thing about serving in your community, is that you not only provide and support others, but it also allows you to see a new perspective. Our players have been able to offer their skills and personality to others so that they may learn and grow. This in turn has built up our men to know the value they have outside of their sport and study to society. Seeing the joy and charisma our men brought to their service is a testament to the significant things they will do well beyond UIW."
Aimee Ponte, Interim Head Women's Golf Coach: 180 team community service hour completed this academic year
"One of the beauties of being a part of the UIW Community is the importance our campus has on community service. Our willingness as a whole to want to be so involved with a greater community than just our campus is one of things that separates us from other universities. The challenges that have come from Covid 19 have impacted so many communities around us and across the globe, and it is so special to see how our department has come together to not only help our campus partners but the surrounding communities in San Antonio."
Jeff Dow, Head Women's Basketball Coach: 430 team community service hours completed this academic year
“While we certainly strive to be competitive in the classroom and on the court, we also want to make every effort to support the mission of UIW and have a strong presence on campus in regards to community service. Service is a core value to UIW and the university’s commitment to community service is unique and separates itself from its peers. Our athletic director, Richard Duran, is passionate about all of our teams dedication to helping others and reinforces how we collectively benefit those that we serve. I want to thank the student-athletes and coaches in our women’s basketball program for their sacrifice and shared vision in their commitment to service.”
Jackie Arrington, Volleyball Student-Athlete: 54 hours served this academic year
"Community service is important to me because the school already does so much for me, so lending a helping hand feels great! My favorite community service event was making Cardinal Care Kits for people without homes. I felt like I was doing a very good deed helping them out! I learned that it never hurts to ask for help and good things come to those who are kind to others!"
Amazing Race for Hope with Special Olympics Athletes
Any Baby Can: Walk for Autism
Armstrong Elementary Campus Visit
Jubilee College Success Day
Ukraine Aid & Awareness
Marissa Watters, SAAC President
"What a journey this year has been. Although, we were back in full swing with our sports, this year provided its own unique challenges. Whether is was learning how to go back to in-person classes, navigating everchanging Covid-19 procedures, using our voice to advocate for important social and political movements, getting more involved with our community while remaining safe, and yet, despite the hardships, we Cardinals came out flying high. Our SAAC group achieved:
- Hosted the first ever three-day SAAC DEI Education Summit where 200 plus students were impacted
- Hosted 9 Word Wednesdays. Topics covered were Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Gratitude, Homeless/Disability Education, Sexual Assault Awareness, Goals, Careers, Ukraine Aid/Awareness, and Self-Love
- Hosted the 4th annual Cardinal Red Carpet Awards (2nd time in-person)
- Hosted a National Student-Athlete Day Celebration event
- Participated in the NCAA Diversity and Inclusion Campaign
- Participated in professional development about implicit bias, time management, healthy boundaries, and managing anxiety, and purpose design
- Created and implemented the three pronged SAAC Health & Wellness Program
- Donated and created Cardinal Care Kits for 106 people without homes
- Donated over 100 toys to ChildSafe San Antonio
- Completed 1,165 community service hours as a SAAC group!
UIW SAAC continues to raise the standards for the next generation of student-athlete leaders. With each passing year the desire to grow, learn, and unite become stronger and more powerful. This year may have ended, but SAAC will continue to soar. Be the change. Use your voice. Make a difference. Fly High Cardinals!"
DEI Education Summit
With the continuous trials and tribulations many of our family, friends, and peers are facing with social injustice and inequity, SAAC leadership felt called to act. During the last three days of March, SAAC Hosted the first ever SAAC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Summit. These sessions were student led and were intentionally crafted to evoke dialogue. Each day consisted of a new DEI topic as highlighted by the NCAA Inclusion main pillars: LGBTQ+ education and awareness, race & ethnicity education and awareness, and international education and awareness. SAAC members provided a safe space for all UIW students, faculty, and staff to have honest and candid conversations about DEI to truly put themselves in new shoes and get uncomfortable. Through interactive activities, videos, and discussion topics, participants learned not only how to be a better teammate, but how to become an ally to challenge societal norms and be empowered to make a change in their community and live their most authentic life. SAAC strongly believes we all play a part in fostering a community where everyone feels valued, loved, and respected- and it starts with US!
Dr. Arturo Chavez, Associate VP of Mission & Ministry
“One of the most exciting experiences I had during my first year as Associate VP for Mission was working with the amazing SAAC leaders to plan and implement UIW’s first ever, student-led DEI Summit. I was so inspired to see how their hard work paid off during the dynamic sessions focused on racial justice, LGBTQ+ allyship, and inclusion of international students. The student leaders truly created a safe space for sharing, learning, and community building!”
SAAC Health & Wellness Program (2021-22 Southland Strong Community Service Award Winner)
Cardinal Red Carpet
SAAC hosted the 2022 Cardinal Red Carpet Awards for 500 student-athletes, coaches, administrators and special guests.
Cardinal Red Carpet Virtual Awards
Welcome the 2022-23 SAAC Officers!
Maddie Marrone, Women's Cross Country/Track
"My time at UIW as a student-athlete was fulfilling in so many ways. My teammates have been my rock throughout the past four years. I have truly enjoyed serving the San Antonio community while continuing my education. It has prepared me for a future career as an Occupational Therapist. The lessons learned while on the track or in the classroom will remain with me forever. I am so grateful that God blessed me with the team, coaches, and professors that I've had the pleasure to work alongside."
Jared Soyring, Football
"In my four years at UIW I was set up for success with so many great opportunities. In the classroom, professors were always willing to lend a helping hand and work with you. On the field, we had a lot of victories and a lot of trials to overcome, but our unit was always hungry for the next challenge. The opportunities to work with the community were always there and showed just how we as a student body can change the lives of those around us. Through Covid we at UIW continued to strive for greatness and found our way one step at a time never leaving any opportunities behind."
Bethany Clapp, Volleyball
"My time at UIW has provided me the opportunity for a great education while being able to play the sport I love. The past four years at this school has taught me so much and transformed me into the person I am today. I have met so many people along the way that have had an amazing impact on my life including some of my best friends."
Kyle "Smiley" Lewis, Men's Track
"UIW has helped me grow significantly as an individual in all aspects of my life. I’ve been able to network and build life long bonds with people everyday while also receiving a high quality education and competing at the Division I level in the sport I love. UIW has felt like home since I stepped foot on campus. I will forever be grateful to the university”
Juliana Damico, Artistic Swimming
"My time at UIW made me grow as an athlete, but more importantly as a person. Getting involved with the community became one of my favorite things to do and made me feel accomplished. I also had all the support I needed to succeed in my sport and academically. At UIW I found that there is more in me than “just” an athlete and that is helping me find who I am in the transition to the real world. I am grateful for every professor, staff and coach I’ve come in contact with at UIW because they played an essential role on my success and I would have not been able to accomplish what I did without their support."
Jayci Stewart: Women's Tennis Alum
- Graduation Year: 2019
- Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training with a minor in Psychology
- Current Job Title/Organization: Athletic Trainer at Texas A&M University
- Job Responsibilities: Injury prevention/evaluation/diagnosis, rehabilitation, treatment, emergency care, assigned administrative tasks, basic mental health care
- Favorite UIW class: Upper & Lower Evaluation
"Transferring to UIW was the best decision I ever made. The campus has the feeling of being with family which you can’t find anywhere else, and it’s where I met the most genuine people. Thank you!"