BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — West Florida's Alia Scotka has been appointed as the Gulf South Conference national representative for the NCAA Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), as selected by the NCAA. In conjunction, Scotka will also become the Chairperson for the GSC SAAC and will vacant her role as GSC SAAC Social Media Manager.
"I feel very honored to be named the GSC national representative for Division ll SAAC. There are so many amazing things I look forward to and eager to experience," said Scotka. "I was so happy to receive an exciting phone call with such great news from Molly [Hansen]. She's someone that I have looked up to during my time as a UWF SAAC representative."
With the announcement, Scotka became the fourth consecutive female student-athlete to be named Gulf South SAAC Chair following Montevallo's Molly Hansen (2022-23), Alabama Huntsville's Sylvia Cortés (2021-22), and Union's Kristen Pickens (2019-21). She is also the conference's 11th national representative since 2002 and the first from West Florida to hold the position. Scotka also serves as the Argonauts' SAAC President.
"We are excited to have Alia represent the Gulf South Conference," said GSC Commissioner Matt Wilson. "Her enthusiasm and passion for working with SAAC has been apparent in her interactions on campus and during our annual SAAC Summit. Our staff looks forward to working alongside her and believe she will continue the worthwhile work of previous GSC chairs and national representatives while helping to elevate GSC SAAC."
On the golf course, Scotka has had made waves in her first two seasons for the Argonauts. Her athletic resume thus far includes two All-GSC honors, the GSC Freshman of the Year award in 2022, and is highlighted by winning the 2023 GSC Women's Golf Championship. She also competed in last season's NCAA regional tournament.
Scotka excels in the classroom as well majoring in Graphic Design. In 2023, she was a GSC All-Academic selection for women's golf and is a two-time recipient of the GSC Academic Honor Roll.
The NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee serves as the primary governance arm representing student-athlete interests in Division II affairs. SAAC members serve as student-athlete liaisons that monitor and discuss happenings on campuses, within conference and at the national level.
Representatives are responsible for gathering feedback and reporting on behalf of their conference, as well as relaying important events, hot topics and educational information to both the campus and conference levels. In addition, the committee speaks on behalf of the entire Division II student-athlete body throughout the NCAA governance structure. For more information about Division II SAAC, it members and the work they do, visit their page on NCAA.org.
Scotka's term as NCAA Division II SAAC national rep will begin January 14, 2024 and continue through January 16, 2027.
About Gulf South Conference:
The Gulf South Conference is a charter NCAA Division II member based in Birmingham, Ala., and has 13 member institutions — Alabama Huntsville, Auburn Montgomery, Christian Brothers, Delta State, Lee, Mississippi College, Montevallo, Shorter, Union, Valdosta State, West Alabama, West Florida, and West Georgia. The GSC proudly sponsors 19 sports and hosts 18 annual championship events.
