General

CUNYAC Kicks Off 2023-24 Year with Successful SAAC Leadership and Coaches Rules Seminars

FLUSHING, N.Y. (August 28, 2023) – The City University of New York Athletic Conference kicked off the 2023-24 athletic year with its 18th Annual SAAC Leadership and Coaches Rules Seminar. The seminars were held in-person for the first time since 2019 on the campus of Baruch College.
 
Organized by CUNYAC staff, led by Associate Director, Kim Wright, the afternoon began with opening remarks from Interim Executive Director, Carl Christian, along with CUNYAC SAAC President, Julia Cuttone.
 
Proceeding opening introductions, CUNY Associate General Counsel, Nicole Donatich, spoke to the group about Student-Athlete Attestation of Serious Misconduct. Following the SAAM presentation, Mike Huber of Epic Risk Management gave a presentation regarding sports gambling education.
 
The final speakers of the afternoon session were Lindsey Scarmozzino, Jacqui Gnaassi and Billy Robie of Inspite Wellness, who joined the group to discuss mental health and effective leadership skills.  
 
In the evening, the Coaches were also provided information regarding Student-Athlete Attestation of Serious Misconduct from CUNY Associate General Counsel, Todd Drantch. The group then heard a presentation from Ian Wentworth, Director of Student Conduct & Academic Integrity at BMCC.
 
The evening continued with Jimmy Russomano, Sr. Manager for Injury Prevention Programs at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), the Official Hospital of the CUNY Athletic Conference, presented the HSS Sports Safety Program, followed by a presentation from were Lindsey Scarmozzino and Jacqui Gnaassi of Inspire Wellness to discuss mental health and effective leadership skills.   
 
The evening session concluded with NCAA and NJCAA coaches separately for a rules update from their respective governing bodies. Sarah Turner, Assistant Director of Academic and Membership Affairs, spoke to the NCAA coaches, while Michael Belfiore, Director of Athletics at Westchester Community College and Region XV Director, presented to the NJCAA coaches.
 
This event is an annual kickoff for CUNY's new athletic year and serves as a day of professional development for the CUNY student-athletes and coaches.

For the latest news on the CUNY Athletic Conference, log on to cunyathletics.com – the official site of the CUNY Athletic Conference. Also, become a follower of the CUNYAC on Instagram (@CUNYAC), Twitter (@CUNYAC) and YouTube (@CUNY Athletic Conference), and "LIKE" Us on Facebook (CUNY Athletic Conference).