Get to Know SAAC E-Board Presidents: Ella Warburg '22 and Bethany Pasko '23

The Wellesley College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is made up of student-athletes that serve as the liaison between the student-athletes at Wellesley and the administration, and provide insight into the student-athlete experience. SAAC exists at the institutional level, conference level, and national level.

SAAC helps to plan events to enhance the student-athlete experience at Wellesley, including: tailgates, Earn the W Days, the Athlete Formal, the alum networking dinner, panels, and Fireside Chats. SAAC also works with the PERA Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, the Athletic Mentors, Academic Success Coaches, and LeadBLUE to connect with student-athletes, both past, and present.

As part of Division III Week, current Wellesley College SAAC E-Board Presidents Ella Warburg '22 (Mercer Island, Wash.) and Bethany Pasko '23 (Wellesley, Mass.) shared their experiences with SAAC and their thoughts on the Wellesley Athletics community.

For those who don't know, can you talk a little bit about what the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is and what you do on campus and within Athletics?

Ella Warburg: At Wellesley, SAAC is comprised of two representatives from each varsity team, a club sports representative, two faculty advisors and an executive board. This year, the E-board is made up of two co-presidents, Bethany and myself, and five committee chairs. The five committees are Community Outreach, Academic Outreach, Blue Pride, Body and Mind, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 

Bethany Pasko: We meet weekly to discuss current concerns of student athletes on each team, with each team updating the group and sharing their perspective. We spend a significant portion of our meetings planning for any upcoming events and discussing initiatives within the broader scope of Wellesley Athletics. At the conclusion of meetings, Ella and I usually convene to talk about what needs to get done going forward in terms of action items, and we work closely with Coach Lauren Schoenberger and the Senior Associate AD, Katie Galiardi, to make these events and initiatives possible.

How long have you been involved in SAAC, what inspired you to join? 

Bethany: I have been involved in SAAC since my first semester at Wellesley, and I was inspired to join the organization in order to offer my perspective and represent the student athlete community. I served as a team representative for the cross country team... seeing how effectively our committee system works, I decided to run to be the Academic Outreach Committee Chair, serving in that capacity for all of 2020. Since the outset of 2021, I have been one of the Co-Presidents of SAAC, alongside Ella! It has truly been an honor to serve as one of the Co-Presidents, and it is always a privilege to work with the talented and thoughtful student-athletes at Wellesley. 

Ella: I have also been involved in SAAC since my first year at Wellesley! I began my involvement with SAAC as one of the golf team's representatives on the Blue Pride Committee, and am now in my second term as SAAC President. I was inspired to join SAAC as a way to connect myself with the athletic community at Wellesley and be a part of the planning of the events that I love so much. I loved the energy that prior E-board brought to meetings when I was a representative, and I wanted to continue building on their hard work when running for E-board.

What has been your favorite program or initiative that you have helped organize, and which program or initiative are you looking most forward to in the future? Why?

Ella: One of my favorite initiatives I helped organize was the addition of Fireside Chats and the DE&I Committee to the SAAC programming. I believe the discussions surrounding equity and inclusion are incredibly important at Wellesley, a predominantly white institution, and I look forward to continuing our discussion as a community on how we can be better as individuals and as an institution.  

Bethany: My favorite initiative that I helped organize was our 2021 Olympians Panel, featuring three-time track and field Olympians, Michelle Carter and Kara Winger. The opportunity to have two American record holders and a Gold Medalist speak to Wellesley student athletes was truly unparalleled, and we were afforded the chance to hear their perspectives on the core themes of resiliency, the empowerment of female athletes, and of course, their Olympic journeys. For the remainder of 2021, I am looking forward to continuing our ongoing Fireside Chats, conversations which allow student athletes to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. I am also excited for a full return to athletics and the ability to host Earn the W Days, as well as other spirit events, around in-person athletic competitions.

SAAC works to bring student-athletes from each team together, seen at the center during the 2020 Super Bowl Watch party. This year, those gatherings look a little different but SAAC's mission remains the same!

How do you manage your time between school, athletics and your other campus commitments? 

Bethany: I create daily schedules where I outline how I intend to spend each block of time during the day, with my other commitments falling into place around my established class times, office hours, and practices and weightlifting sessions. While this may not work for everyone, it offers a visual for me of every activity I have on each day.

Ella: I use my planner and think ahead! On the golf team, we compete on weekends, so we leave Friday afternoons and return to campus Sunday evening, and compete for roughly eight hours per day. Because my weekends are filled with golf during our competition seasons, I have to manage my homework and long-term assignments during the school week, which can be challenging with lifting and practice. School is my number one priority, so it's important to me to stay on top of my work, be realistic about extracurriculars and work schedules and make the most of practice time, so everything runs smoothly.  

Bethany: I'd add that other student-athletes have given me outstanding advice with regard to time management. I strongly affirm that Wellesley student-athletes are among the best at remaining disciplined with their time and commitments, specifically given their exceptional dedication to academic and athletic excellence.

If you could play any other sport than the one you currently participate in at Wellesley, what would it be and why?

Ella: I ran cross country all four years in high school, so in terms of sports we have at Wellesley, I would join Bethany! However before golf became my main athletic focus, I loved mountain biking and ballet. 

Bethany: While I love being a member of the cross country and track teams at Wellesley, I have always wished I was good at golf. I love how technique-focused the sport is, and I have always loved visits to Wellesley's golf course for our home cross country meets. Perhaps Ella will give me some pointers, as she is the captain of the golf team!

What do you enjoy most about being involved in SAAC? 

Bethany: The chance to collaborate with other student athletes and to work with the PERA Administration. 

Ella: I agree. My favorite part about being involved in SAAC is having another opportunity to work as a team with student-athletes.  Although we all come from different sports and athletic backgrounds, we have a shared goal of making Wellesley Athletics the best community possible, through fun events, hands-on discussions, and shared wisdom from alums. 

Bethany: Everyone associated with Wellesley Athletics is committed to shaping Wellesley's enriching and well-rounded student athlete experience, and they are thoroughly dedicated to the core values and missions of PERA. It has been a privilege to work alongside athletes, coaches, and PERA administrators who are wholly invested in making Wellesley Athletics the best it can be, particularly through their emphasis on student leadership development.

SAAC makes sure each of the teams at Wellesley is supported, as Warburg cheers on the Blue volleyball team in 2019 (center/Macy Lipkin '23). Warburg and Pasko can each be spoted competing at Nehoiden Golf Club during a traditional year (Frank Poulin Photography).

How do you think your experiences in SAAC will prepare you for your future beyond Wellesley Athletics?

Ella: Most importantly, SAAC has helped me learn to listen. It is my job to hear what student-athletes are saying, and what they aren't saying. SAAC has provided me the opportunity to lead discussions, manage finances, and effectively communicate with faculty members and people who are above me.  Working with administrators is a valuable experience and I am grateful for their mentorship. 

Bethany: I believe that my experience in SAAC will prepare me well for a future beyond Wellesley Athletics, I've had the chance to reinforce key competencies in the realm of leadership that I believe will serve me well in my future studies and career. At SAAC, we are always involved with planning and organizing events, leading meetings, managing our budget, addressing the concerns and needs of student athletes, and working alongside a variety of people in the organization, skills applicable to nearly any setting beyond Wellesley Athletics.

What would you want other people to know about your experiences in choosing to attend a Division III school?

Ella: I chose to attend a DIII institution for the balance between my academics and my athletic career.  At Wellesley, I am growing in my athletic training, as well as becoming a well-rounded student and global citizen.

Bethany: In terms of the Division III mantra of "Discover, Develop, Dedicate," students in Division III programs have the chance to have complete involvement in their institution's academic, athletic, and extracurricular realms. The Division III student-athlete experience allows for a great emphasis on academic excellence, particularly at Wellesley, with our world-class faculty and interdisciplinary curriculum. Our student athletes have the ability to engage with and lead a variety of organizations on campus outside of their athletic experience, emerging as well-rounded, conscientious, and articulate leaders at the end of their Wellesley experience.

Wellesley Athletics strives for excellence at the conference, regional, and national levels, while providing opportunities for students to achieve their potential and learn the values of discipline, leadership, critical thinking, and responsibility to oneself and others.