Editor's Note: Belmont Abbey Athletics is taking a look back at some of the highlights from the 2024-25 competition season. Stories will be reposted with the headline CRUSADER REWIND. This article was originally posted on January 27, 2025.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Belmont Abbey men's volleyball player Zeke Jarzyniecki has been named to the NCAA Division II National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, the national office announced recently. He will serve as the Conference Carolinas representative until his term expires in January of 2028.
Jarzyniecki is a sophomore defensive specialist from Indianapolis, Ind. He is majoring in Sport Management.
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) serves as the primary governance arm representing student-athlete interests in Division II affairs. SAAC members serve as student-athlete liaisons that monitor and discuss happenings on campuses, within conference and at the national level. Representatives are responsible for gathering feedback and reporting on behalf of their conference, as well as relaying important events, hot topics and educational information to both the campus and conference levels. In addition to relaying information across campuses and conferences, the committee speaks on behalf of the entire Division II student-athlete body throughout the NCAA governance structure.
"I am extremely excited to work with the National SAAC team," Jarzyniecki said. "Getting the opportunity to work at the highest level for D-II SAAC allows me to work towards the growth of all sports and student-athletes within our conference, which fills me with inspiration for what the future holds. This is a gift I am not taking for granted... I'm excited to be part of the conversations regarding important issues for athletes in my conference."
Division II SAAC members serve as voting members on a number of Division II committees, including the Management Council and Executive Board. The SAAC also has voting authority during the Division II Business Session at the annual NCAA Convention.
"During my tenure as the Conference Carolinas representative, I hope to learn from all of my fellow representatives and the National SAAC staff. I'm extremely motivated to work towards the strengthening and growth of all sports, especially from a mental health aspect," he added. "I hope to bring about conversations on strengthening the mental health resources provided at the D-II level. This is extremely important for working towards a holistic approach of supporting student-athletes."
Currently 28 members, including representatives from each of the 23 Division II multi-sport voting conferences, three at-large representatives, and two members of the Management Council. The two members of the Management Council and one member of the Executive Board serve as ex-officio and nonvoting members.
The Division II SAAC Nominating Subcommittee selects national committee members from a diverse pool of candidates that conference offices submit. The Division II Administrative Committee ratifies the appointments, and each student-athlete serves a non-renewable three-year term; however the student-athlete may serve only up to one year after exhausting his or her eligibility.
