Colgate University Athletics

Colgate Athletics offers an array of student-athlete organizations and affinity groups - including the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) - led by, and with member representation from, student-athletes across all varsity athletic programs. While some are connected to national student organizations, others are localized on Colgate's campus, and all present opportunities for leadership development, community engagement, cross-campus collaboration, the advancement of important social causes, and many other things. Affinity groups are open to all student-athletes. 

Interested in starting your own or joining an existing group? Check out this information sheet that includes FAQs on how to start an affinity group and potentially receive official recognition through the Athletics Department. Or, you can explore groups that have already been established by student-athletes!

As of the 2024-2025 academic year, the following organizations remain recognized and active within the Athletics Department:

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
SAAC is the primary regulatory organization of Colgate's NCAA Division I student-athlete population. It provides an opportunity for student-athletes, through team representatives, to represent the needs and perspectives of their peers, facilitate communication and mutual support with Athletics Administration, provide a vehicle for representation in University governance, and foster engagement and community amongst their population and throughout the community. 

Colgate SAAC is represented on the Patriot League SAAC, and through that group, on the NCAA Division I National SAAC. More information on SAAC at the NCAA-level can be found HERE. 

Wellness Advocates
Wellness Advocates was created during the 2019-2020 academic year as a means to promote the overall health and wellness of student-athletes and address related concerns affecting their population. The focus areas of this group remain flexible each year in order to best reflect the evolving needs of the current student-athletes, as well as provide a space for open conversations as well as the planning of initiatives. In recent years, focus has been spent on mental health, sexual violence prevention, and nutrition and performance. In addition to strong campus partnerships - such as those with Shaw Wellness and Haven - the group also collaborates with national organizations and has launched programs for teams like the One Love escalation workshops. 

Raiders of Color Connect (ROCC)
ROCC exists to strengthen relationships between BIPOC student-athletes at Colgate University. This group fosters inclusivity and aims to support and empower BIPOC student-athletes, and amplify the voices of BIPOC. This group provides a means of community support as students navigate the challenges faced by BIPOC who attend the institution. ROCC collaborates with student groups across campus, engaging in ways to positively build community throughout the campus. 
 
Athlete Ally
In the spring of 2022, Colgate founded an Athlete Ally Chapter for student-athletes who are passionate about creating and sustaining LGBTQI+ inclusive athletic communities, supported by a strong partnership with Colgate's Office of LGBTQ+ Initiatives. Campus chapters decide on and enact programming specific to their campus based on Athlete Ally's mission. (Athlete Ally is a national organization focused on ending the rampant homophobia and transphobia in sport and to activate the athletic community to exercise their leadership to champion LGBTQI+ equality.)  Efforts include hosting Pride nights, presenting educational workshops on LGBTQI-topics, working to adopt inclusive policies at the school and/or conference level, and advocating for anti-discriminatory policies at a city, state, regional and national level.

Colgate Christian Athletes (CCA)
Under the guidance of the Office of Chaplains, Colgate Christian Athletes offers a community-based group that desires to grow in Christian knowledge and support each other striving to live a Christian life at Colgate. Discussion-based, weekly meetings are offered and open to anyone who is interested – attendees do not need to be a Christian or an athlete to attend!