Chicago Native Jordan Gipson Named to National Division III Committee

LAKE FOREST, IL (07/02/2012)(readMedia)-- The Lake Forest College Athletic Department is pleased to announce that junior Jordan Gipson (Chicago, Ill./University Laboratory School) has been named to the NCAA Division III National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Gipson is the first Forester student-athlete to have earned this honor in the history of Lake Forest Athletics.

The mission of the National Collegiate Athletic Association SAAC is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare and fostering a positive student-athlete image. The SAAC also offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAA member institution campuses. Presently, there are separate national SAACs for NCAA Divisions I, II and III. In his new role, Gipson will serve as the representative for both the Midwest Conference as well as the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

"The Division III SAAC experience will be a highly beneficial and rewarding one for Jordan," noted Midwest Conference Commissioner Chris Graham. "He will have great responsibilities as the representative for the Midwest Conference and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and I know he will be very successful in his new position."

Gipson, a double major in business and politics and member of the Forester men's basketball team, was encouraged to apply for the National SAAC in the fall of 2011 by Portia Hoeg, the former Associate Athletic Director and present Director of Athletics at Allegheny College. Knowing that only a select group of student-athletes are chosen, Gipson was happily surprised by the announcement but is now ready to take on this new and exciting opportunity. "It's a great honor and I'm really enthusiastic to carry out the responsibilities of being on National SAAC," Gipson said. "It's exciting for me, but also exciting for the College."

Gipson is eager to learn about issues on the national level that may affect the Midwest Conference and Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. "The chance to hear the issues other schools are facing and how their administration / SAAC members address them is an invaluable perspective for the [MWC and WIAC] conference," he added. "I am really looking forward to the experience."

Gipson is also excited about the prospect of networking with the nationally diverse group of student-athletes who serve in similar roles. "I can't wait to meet fellow student-athletes from institutions outside of the Midwest Conference and make new connections and friendships," he said.

Gipson's term began on May 1, 2012, and will continue through May 1, 2015.