Friday, March 11, 2022

Part of a regular series.

Throughout the year, GNACsports.com uses this space to profile conference student-athletes who are members of their respective institutions’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). In addition to providing feedback on the student-athlete experience, conference and institutional SAAC members also offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes’ lives on NCAA member institution campuses.

Name: Meadow Aragon
Sport: Women’s Basketball
Institution: Western Oregon University
Year: Third-year
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Nevada City, CA

Why Did You Choose To Attend WOU?: I got a basketball scholarship.

What Is Your Favorite College Class And Why?: Anatomy. I learned the most in this class and it’s very relevant to the “real world” and my career path.

Who Is Your Favorite Professor?: Katherine J. Miller. I had her my freshman year. I loved hearing about her cultural experience in the field of anthropology. She was very personable and worldly, and she made me realize I really want to travel the world and learn about other cultures and customs.

How Many Years Have You Been Involved In SAAC?: Two.

Why Did You Choose To Get Involved With SAAC?: I wanted to be a part of something other than women’s basketball.

What Has Been The Most Memorable SAAC Activity?: The Wolfies, our award ceremony at the end of the 2020-21 season.

How Do You Feel Participating In SAAC Will Help You After You Graduate?: I think it will help me as a leader and just life experience in general. Getting to know people who play different sports and have different experiences helps me understand more peoples different points of view. It also further develops how to connect with your community and peers.

What Have You Learned From Needing To Balance Athletics And Academics?: The most important thing I’ve learned is compartmentalization.

What Is The Biggest Obstacle You Have Overcome During Your Collegiate Career?: COVID-19 and continuing to take my studies seriously despite a global pandemic.

What Does It Mean To You To Be A Division II Student-Athlete?: I love being a Division II athlete. I think it’s the best of both worlds. The competition is amazing and I love having summers off.

What Advice Would You Have For An Incoming Freshman?: Say yes more. Don’t limit yourself or say I can’t do this or that. College is about testing limits.

What’s Your Favorite Thing About Being Part Of The GNAC?: The competition and the travel.

What’s Your Favorite Sports Memory?: Beating Western Washington my freshman year.

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person, Who Would It Be?: I would love to spend the day with (rapper) Megan Thee Stallion because she is everything. She seems like the best person to hang out with and I worship her.

Favorite Sports Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Favorite Athlete: Kobe Bryant

What’s Something People Don’t Know About You?: I love camping.