Russellville alum Watts selected to NCAA Division III national SAAC committee

The W volleyball player Avery Watts (Russellville, Ala.) has been appointed as a member of the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, as the representative from the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC). Watts’, who is also the MUW campus SAAC President, has a term of service on the committee that runs through January 20, 2029. 

“We are extremely proud of Avery to have earned this position,” The W Director of Athletics Buddy Foster said. “This speaks volumes about her as a leader and her ability to get things accomplished. It is a tremendous acknowledgement to all that we have accomplished in The W Athletics, albeit in a short period of time as an NCAA III member, to have one of our student-athletes chosen to represent the interests and needs of their peers at the national level.”

The Division III National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is a representative body composed of 43 student-athletes from across the country who serve as the national voice for their peers within NCAA Division III. The committee helps shape the student-athlete experience by providing feedback on proposed legislation, engaging with NCAA leadership and participating in governance processes. Through regular meetings and work on subcommittees and association-wide initiatives, Division III SAAC members advocate for positive change, foster education and help build a supportive and inclusive athletics community.

Watts, a middle hitter for the Owls’ team, just competed her second season with the program, starting both. She came to MUW from Russellville High School, where she was a three-sport athlete (also competing in basketball and track & field for RHS).

The W volleyball’s head coach Breylee Linder, who also is one of MUW’s campus SAAC coordinators, was one not that surprised at Watts’ appointment. “(Avery) has proven to be a strong advocate for student-athletes and a true embodiment of the Division III model,” Linder explained of her squad member.  “She consistently represents our institution with character and professionalism in every area she is involved. I am so excited to see her impact at the national level through NCAA Division III SAAC.”

As a member of the National SAAC Committee, Watts will participate in meeting throughout the year to discuss proposed legislation, current issues and other topics with NCAA and Division III leaders, the Sport Science Institute, the Board of Governors and others. She will also have the opportunity to discusses proposed Division III legislation and its potential impact on student-athletes, serve on both Division III and association-wide committees to provide the student-athlete perspective, be a part of subcommittees based on issues relevant to student-athletes to help spread education and create discussion, and to build professional skills and develops relationships with student-athletes from across the country.

“Receiving the SLIAC national rep appointment is a massive honor. To be chosen to represent not only my campus, but my whole conference means the world to me,” Watts remarked. “I’m thankful for this opportunity to be a voice for student-athletes and voice concerns with other student-athletes across the country. I’m extremely grateful that I was chosen to represent the SLIAC at the national level.

“I believe this appointment will bring positive recognition to MUW and show that our student-athletes are capable of leading at a national level. This appointment will allow MUW student-athletes’ experiences and perspectives to be heard. I also hope it encourages other student-athletes to get involved in leadership opportunities across campus.”

Apart from just the Owls’ volleyball program, Watts’ campus SAAC leadership has helped The W Athletics to move to the forefront among SLIAC members for campus and community involvement, a core value of the program. The MUW campus SAAC leadership has led the annual efforts by the department that has racked up several thousand hours of volunteerism, annually, while also overseeing such things as the Owl Athletics Hoo’s Who Athletics Awards Ceremony.

“My biggest goal for MUW SAAC this year is to increase student-athlete involvement,” Watts explained. “I want athletes to feel heard and supported on and off the court or field. I also would like to strengthen the bridge between student-athletes and the community. Our Columbus community is so important to our athletic programs and I want them to feel extremely involved in every aspect.”