The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee groups from all 14 MIAA institutions annually select a SAAC Mentor of the Year and a SAAC Student-Athlete Mentor of the Year.
First awarded in the 2009-10 academic year, the SAAC Mentor of the Year is awarded to an individual who has had a profound impact on the lives of MIAA student-athletes on campus. This individual does not have to be a member of the institution's athletic department.
First awarded in the 2025-26 academic year, the SAAC Student-Athlete Mentor of the Year is awarded to an MIAA student-athlete who has had a profound impact on the lives of other student-athletes on their campus.
Each institutional SAAC can nominate one individual from their campus for each award annually. Nominations are submitted to the conference office no later than April 1. The conference SAAC reviews all nominations and votes on the conference-wide recipient. The league's Deputy Commissioner and Director for Student-Athlete Development also have a vote in the selection process.
PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS
MENTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENTS
2025-26: Madeline Simmons, Missouri Western State University
2024-25: Madeline Simmons, Missouri Western State University
2023-24: Not Awarded
2022-23: Mariana Flores, Rogers State University
2021-22: Kaiti George, University of Nebraska Kearney
2020-21: Dr. Clinton Longacre, Emporia State University
2019-20: Not Awarded
2018-19: Denise Terry, Missouri Southern State University
2017-18: Dr. Jeff Burnett, Fort Hays State University
2016-17: Dr. Reagan Dodd, Missouri Western State University
2015-16: Dr. Kamal Lamsal, Emporia State University
2014-15: Dr. Brenda Blessing, Missouri Western State University
2013-14: Dr. Ross Friesen, Washburn University
2012-13: Rev. Chuck Robinson, University of Central Oklahoma
2011-12: Mr. Mike Elam, Truman State University
2010-11: Dr. Charles M. Ambrose, University of Central Missouri
2009-10: Dr. John Rich, Emporia State University
STUDENT-ATHLETE MENTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENTS
2025-26: Ryan Patterson, Fort Hays State Wrestling Student-Athlete
