GETTING TO KNOW: Aminah Tsonga, USJ Women's Volleyball
Our final SAAC Comissioner's Council spotlight features University of Saint Joseph (CT) senior Aminah Tsonga, who will take over the GNAC Instagram on Thursday, October 8!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WINTHROP, Mass. – The Great Northeast Athletic Conference announced its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Commissioner's Council for the 2020-21 academic year back in August. Every Wednesday we will feature a member of the prestigious leadership group from a more personal perspective, including Instagram Takeovers each Thursday!
The support and formal creation of a revamped league-wide GNAC SAAC initiative came in April 2018 as a strategic recommendation from the Conference Self-Study Guide (CSSG) Committee and GNAC Presidents' Council. The SAAC Commissioner's Council will work directly with GNAC Assistant to the Commissioner Julio Barroso, with the strategic goal of emphasizing the student-athletic experience, as well as the key focus of student-athlete mental health in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
GNAC SAAC COMMISSIONER'S COUNCIL FEATURES
AUG. 26 | Daniele Iaboni (Whitby, Ontario), Anna Maria College men's soccer sophomore
SEPT. 2 | Zoe Coleman (Warwick, R.I.), Dean College field hockey/softball sophomore
SEPT. 9 | Morgan Mercier (Lincolnville, Maine), Emmanuel College men's soccer/men's lacrosse senior
SEPT. 16 | Andre Cotton-Samuel (Long Island, N.Y.), Johnson & Wales University (RI) men's basketball sophomore
SEPT. 23 | Alex Lorenzo (Pawtucket, R.I.), Lasell University women's soccer sophomore
SEPT. 30 | Santiago Pedraza Novak (Bogota, Colombia), Regis College men's soccer sophomore
OCT. 7 | Aminah Tsonga (Plainville, Conn.), University of Saint Joseph (CT) women's volleyball senior
Aminah Tsonga Novak Q&A
Year: Senior
Hometown: Plainville. Conn.
Position: Outside hitter
Major: Criminal Justice/Social work
Why did you choose USJ?: I chose my school because I enjoy the family environment, educational support, and various opportunity to grow personally and professionally.
High School: Plainville HS
Top HS Athletic Memory: Senior night!hTe gym was absolutely packed and so loud. The energy was unmatched and we defeated our opponent.
Favorite Quarantine Activity(s): Cooking and taking my dog for walks
Favorite Athlete: Ronda Rousey & Abby Wambach
Favorite Movie: Despicable Me
Favorite Music Artist: Lil Uzi Vert, G Herbo
Favorite Food: "All food" is my favorite food! :)
Career aspirations: After I graduate, I want to become a school social worker.
Fun Fact: I'm allergic to almost every type of tree, except for four :)
What do you hope to gain out of being a member of the GNAC SAAC Commissioner's Council?: I hope the GNAC Commissioner's Council teaches me a different perspective of leadership and teamwork. I want to be able to collaborate and learn from other schools and other student-athletes in an effort to make USJ a stronger unit!
The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 13 member institutions and over 3,000 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 22 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience.
– #TheGNAC –