ROCK HILL, S.C. – The South Atlantic Conference has announced the appointment of a COVID-19 Task Force. The task force will be responsible for monitoring and addressing COVID-19 issues for the conference office and SAC member institutions. The 12-person group includes Athletic Directors, FARs, a student-athlete, coaches, NCAA Management Council representative, compliance administrators, an athletic trainer, senior woman administrators, and a communications director.
Along with considering how COVID-19 issues relate to the SAC, the task force is being asked to monitor decisions and actions by the NCAA and public health/government officials. The group has the opportunity to also recommend policy changes or suggest administrative action by the Conference's Athletic Directors and Presidents Council, when necessary to address COVID-19 issues for the SAC.
"With the rapidly changing landscape of not only college athletics, but the world, this task force will help ensure our members are fully informed and ready to make the best decisions for our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and fans," said SAC Commissioner Patrick Britz. "I would like to thank each of these individuals for agreeing to serve on this task force and providing their guidance and leadership in this unique and challenging situation."
The task force will be chaired by Kim Pate, Vice President for Athletics at Lenoir-Rhyne University. During the next several weeks, the SAC's task force will meet weekly to discuss important issues facing each SAC institution and it will continue to promote the health and well-being of SAC student-athletes and our SAC campus communities.
The complete task force roster is:
Kim Pate, Chair of the COVID-19 Task Force (Lenoir-Rhyne) -- Vice President for Athletics and VP of D2 Athletic Directors Association
Michelle Caddigan (Wingate) -- Deputy AD and SWA
Marty Gilbert (Mars Hill) -- FAR and NCAA Division II Management Council
Mary Northcutt (Carson-Newman) -- Swimming Student-Athlete and NCAA Division II National SAAC
Mike Smith (Lincoln Memorial) -- Associate AD for Compliance
Dom Donnelly (Tusculum) -- Assistant AD for Communications
David Olliver (Coker) -- Head Men's Lacrosse Coach
Cherie Swarthout (Queens) -- Athletic Director and SAC Rep D2 ADA
Wayne Alexander (Newberry) – Associate AD for Compliance and Operations
Bob Hanley (Anderson) – FAR and former chair of SAC FAR Committee
Mandy Harris-Morgan (Catawba) – Head Softball Coach and SWA
Dana Sibrel (UVa-Wise) – Head Athletic Trainer
