Linfield University Athletics

PURPOSE

• To encourage communication between Linfield student-athletes and the athletic administration.
• To identify and address the needs and concerns of Linfield student-athletes.
• To promote and support Linfield athletics.
• To enhance the image of the Linfield student-athlete through campus engagement and community outreach.

2024-25 OFFICERS

2024-25 COMMITTEE ROSTER

EVENTS & COMMUNITY SERVICE

CATSPYs Award Show
Linfield SAAC started a new tradition in 2017: the year-end ESPY-style awards show titled "The CATSPYs." The formal event, designed to gather all student-athletes to recognize the achievements of all 23 varsity athletic programs and honor their peers for excellence in athletics, academics, service and beyond, welcomed 300 Wildcats to the gymnasium for an evening of food, fun and camaraderie. Awards, voted upon by student-athletes, were given out for: Male/Female Clutch Athlete of the Year, Male/Female Breakthrough Athlete, Male/Female Newcomer of the Year, Male/Female Academic All-Star, Male/Female Commitment to Service, Male/Female Wildcat Award, Breakthrough Team, Coach of the Year and Best Play/Moment. 

NCAA Division III Week
Partnering with the Linfield Athletic Department and in conjunction with the NCAA, SAAC celebrates Division III Week in April of each year to showcase the division's focus on the entire athletic experience: academic, athletic and extra-curricular. Past activities have included a student-athlete talent show, team trivia night, leadership summit/retreat, student-athlete BBQ, Special Olympics Basketball Tournament Fundraiser, and presentations by nationally recognized motivational speakers. Linfield's SAAC also highlights teammates who best embody the Division III philosophy by a Q&A profile that is printed out and distributed around campus. 

Coin Drive
The Northwest Conference SAAC sponsors an annual fundraising contest in which each member institution organizes a coin drive to benefit a charity of its choosing. The school that raises the greatest amount of money in two days' time is declared the winner and receives both a traveling banner and bragging rights. From 2015-17, SAAC generated a total of $2,030 for the Parker Archie Moore Memorial Scholarship Fund. In 2014, Linfield raised $1,100 to contribute to a fundraising effort to build a soccer field and track for the Open Arms Village and surrounding community in Kenya. The previous year, the Wildcats chose to raise funds for one of their own, a student-athlete afflicted with brain cancer, and brought in $617 to help her and her family defray medical costs. In its first two years, Linfield's SAAC raised $545.35 to benefit YCAP's Friday Family Food program, which provides two weekend meals to children and their families who qualify for free or reduced meals at three elementary schools in Yamhill County.

Recess at Sue Buel Elementary School / Duniway Middle School
Linfield student-athletes have volunteered during recess at Sue Buel Elementary School as well as in the physical education classrooms at Duniway Middle School, serving as positive role models for young students. 

Special Olympics
As participants in the NCAA Division III Special Olympics Partnership, Linfield's athletic teams have engaged with Special Olympics athletes in a variety of ways, including fundraising, assisting with practices and inviting Special Olympians and their families to attend Linfield home sporting events.

Links & Resources

Linfield Student-Athlete Handbook (PDF)

Northwest Conference SAAC

DIII Special Olympics Partnership

Linfield Student-Athlete Forms

NCAA Division III Home Page