Tyler Rover ’21 will represent student-athletes across the country in his new role as a national primary representative for the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Rover is among just a few individuals nationwide selected for this role, which he will hold through January 2023.

The SAAC represents the voice and interests of student-athletes in Division III, reviewing legislation, identifying issues and implementing initiatives. The committee also maintains and coordinates Division III’s partnership with Special Olympics.

While this selection presents a new opportunity for Rover, he already has plenty of experience serving the interests of student-athletes at Oglethorpe and in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA).

Rover became involved with SAAC as a freshman golfer at Oglethorpe. Since then, he was elected as the vice president of Oglethorpe University’s SAAC during his junior year, and now serves as president during his senior year. Additionally, Rover was elected as the vice president for the SAA SAAC in January 2020. It was his involvement with the SAA SAAC that led to his nomination for the national position. Rover was required to complete an application process for consideration.

Rover, a business administration major, credits these leadership experiences at Oglethorpe and at the conference level for preparing him for the national SAAC position.

“It’s a great opportunity to learn more about how the NCAA functions and network within the organization,” Rover said. “I’m looking forward to gaining insight into decision-making within the NCAA and advocating on behalf of student-athletes in that process.”

From NCAA Division III: The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) represents the Division III student-athlete voice in the Division III governance structure by reviewing legislation; identifying significant student-athlete issues; implementing national student-athlete based initiatives; encouraging community outreach; and enhancing Division III student-athlete involvement in and understanding of Division III in general. The SAAC is also the committee that is primarily responsible for maintaining and coordinating the division’s nationwide partnership with Special Olympics. The committee meets in person four times each year in January, April, July and November. It also conducts teleconferences as needed.