By Delilah Williams / Jambar Contributor
As president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at Youngstown State University, Taylor Berry looks to bridge the gap between student-athletes and administration, and promote community involvement in the YSU Athletics student body.
Berry initially got involved with SAAC as a sophomore, later becoming community outreach coordinator in her junior year, and was named SAAC president as a senior.
“I have a lot of crazy ideas that I like to bring to life,” Berry said. “I’ve always loved being the person to, like, be the listening ear and make sure our student body is heard and they see changes.”
Through SAAC, Berry has participated in food drives for local pantries, run pajama drives for kids in need at Akron Children’s Hospital and helped the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown refurbish their space to create a new assisted living facility.
SAAC will hold a field day April 20 dedicated to Mahoning County Special Olympics for special olympics members and YSU athletes to compete together.
“It’s the best feeling to know that you’re contributing to the community in a way,” Berry said.
While being involved in SAAC, Berry has been studying toward a degree in business administration on the marketing professional selling track, and played for YSU women’s soccer for four years. She also played for Richmond Ivy for two years, a preprofessional team in Virginia.
“It’s been a great experience. It’s opened my eyes to a lot. I’ve had the privilege of getting to know so many great people, whether that be coaches or players,” Berry said. “It’s an experience that I’ll remember forever.”
Brian Welch, assistant athletic director for Athletic Academic Services and Student Athlete Engagement, has worked with Berry for two years.
“To be honest, Taylor is probably one of the best student-athletes that I’ve been associated with,” Welch said. “Just her expertise and knowledge of being upperclassman, but really just someone that understands the core principles of what it takes to be a student-athlete, inside the classroom, outside the classroom, and really someone that is truly a leader.”
As SAAC president, Berry hopes to lay down a foundation of themes, ideas and events that will last at the university forever.
“To be SAAC president means a lot to me. It’s more than just a title in my opinion. It’s a position where you can truly establish not only yourself but also just make change here at the university,” Berry said.
So far, Berry’s done just that, working with SAAC Vice President Jordan Truelsch over eight months to transform the annual athletics banquet.
“We transformed it from being something not as serious to something that was taken a lot more seriously,” Berry said. “We erased everything, and we built it from scratch. We established new awards, we recognized coaches, athletic trainers, administration. They do a lot for us behind the scenes, and we don’t want that to go unnoticed, so we took the time, and we made sure to carve out that for them,”
Berry said she believes that SAAC representatives across YSU athletic teams deeply care about the university and want to see it grow into something special, with the changes and ideas implemented this year working towards that end.
“I think, for future reference, if a student-athlete has the chance to get involved in SAAC, that they definitely should, and they should want to. And not only just be involved, but truly get a role in SAAC and be a face, and make some change because, honestly, it can lead you to some pretty great places,” Berry said.
