The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference officially announced its 2026-27 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Executive Board following the league’s August Athletics Administrators’ Council (AAC) meeting.
The AAC approved an RMAC proposal to formalize the election process in the RMAC SAAC Constitution, specifying one-year student- athlete terms, with the option of one re-election. Elected by their peers at the 2026 RMAC SAAC Retreat, the 2026-27 executive board consists of chairperson Jack Faczak of Adams State University, vice-chairperson Jake Nadauld of Westminster University, internal operations coordinator Alivia Huxoll of Metropolitan State University of Denver, and communications coordinator Owen Wentz of Western Colorado University.
Faczak, an Adams State redshirt senior wrestler from Bennett, Colorado, was re-elected RMAC SAAC Chair after serving as an ASU SAAC Representative for the past four years.
“With this being my last year as a college athlete, I am looking forward to enjoying the time I have left in the RMAC” said Faczak. “I am excited to continue to build on what we have done for students and staff across the conference one last time. The RMAC is one of the premier conferences in Division II and I am so glad that I have gotten a chance to take part in making a difference.”
A finance and business administration major, Faczak was named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s (NWCA) NCAA Division II Men’s Team Scholar All-America list in 2024 and continues to stand out as a peer leader, both on and off the mat. He will also serve a second term on the RMAC’s Awards Committee, joined by eight other RMAC administrators and coaches across the league.
“Over the past four years, I have been given this beautiful opportunity to be on RMAC SAAC, and it has proven to be one of the best opportunities for my growth as a leader and an advocate for athletics at all levels,” said Faczak. “When looking at our SAAC goals for this year, I hope to help influence a stronger foundation for campus SAAC programs across the conference so that there can be forward progress in conference initiatives. It can be difficult when institutions experience turnover or student membership changes, so being able to build a sound foundation for each of them is crucial.”
Jake Nadauld will support Faczak as Vice Chair this year, serving in his first year as a member of RMAC SAAC. A native of Springville, Utah, Nadauld enters his redshirt sophomore year for the Griffins’ men’s basketball program, having transferred to the RMAC from Utah Valley University. In addition to his RMAC SAAC officer role, Nadauld was elected to serve on the RMAC’s Student-Athlete Health and Safety Committee for a two-year term.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity to serve as RMAC SAAC Vice Chair this year,” said Nadauld. “One thing I’m especially passionate about is helping lead community outreach and service efforts that support underserved populations in our communities. I’m looking forward to working with student-athletes across the RMAC to use our platform in a meaningful way, serving others, and making sure student-athlete voices are represented throughout the conference.”
HUXOLL IN 2NDYEAR ONTHE COMMITTEE
Serving in her second term as RMAC SAAC’s Internal Operations Coordinator is Alivia Huxoll of the Metro State University of Denver volleyball team. Huxoll, a senior outside hitter from Sutton, Nebraska, competed on the Roadrunner’s 2025 National Championship team and earned a spot on the 2025 RMAC Academic Honor Roll. As a business and sports marketing major, Huxoll enters her third year as an RMAC SAAC representative.
“I’m really looking forward to this upcoming year and the opportunity to continue to serve as an RMAC SAAC officer,” said Huxoll. “My goal is to help grow and serve in the community we have within the conference as student-athletes, while bringing a prominent voice to the leadership team. I’m excited to work alongside this group to make an impact and see what this year will bring.”
Rounding out the RMAC SAAC Executive Board is Communications Coordinator, Owen Wentz. A native of Fort Collins, Colorado, Wentz enters his junior year as a pole vaulter for the Western Colorado track and field program, majoring in hospitality management. In his role, Wentz will spearhead the RMAC’s social content for a variety of campaigns, including the 2026 NCAA Community and Belonging Social Media Campaign and RMAC heritage month celebrations.
“I joined SAAC because I believe the student-athlete voice is incredibly important and powerful,” said Wentz. “I want to use my position to make sure every student-athlete feels heard and knows their ideas and concerns matter.”
The 2026-27 RMAC SAAC officers will each serve a oneyear term, with Nadauld and Wentz eligible for re-election at the end of their terms. Officers are voted on by their peers in person at the annual RMAC Summer SAAC Retreat. RMAC SAAC officers will work closely with the conference’s National SAAC Representatives, Sean Belzer of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and Yahir Chairez-Salazar of Colorado School of Mines, throughout their respective terms.
