Michigan Tech defender Grace Hoeppner poses in front of the NCAA building in Indianapolis, Indiana, earlier this summer. Hoeppner was recently appointed to the NCAA DII Student-Athlete Advisory Committee through January 2027. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech University)

HOUGHTON — Michigan Tech soccer student-athlete Grace Hoeppner has been named to the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and will serve until January 2027.

A native of Burnsville, Minnesota, Hoeppner has been a key contributor to the Michigan Tech soccer team, helping the Huskies return to the NCAA Tournament a season ago, the first time since the 2014-15 season. She started in all 20 games and posted a career-high three assists to lead the Black and Gold during the 2023-24 campaign. 

“Grace is an excellent choice to serve on the DII SAAC committee representing both the GLIAC and Michigan Tech,” Michigan Tech Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Suzanne Sanregret said. “She is passionate about her work with SAAC and will do a fabulous job representing the DII student-athletes. Selection to this prestigious committee is a credit to the leadership that Grace exhibits on and off the field. She will have a strong voice as the NCAA navigates through this unprecedented time.”

“I am incredibly thankful and excited for the opportunity to represent Michigan Tech University and the other student-athletes of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference on a national scale,” Hoeppner said. “I look forward to collaborating with SAAC representatives from other conferences to create an uplifting atmosphere for all Division II student-athletes. None of this would have been possible without the support and guidance of Assistant Athletic Director – NCAA Compliance & Student-Athlete Academic Success Rhys Edwards, Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Suzanne Sanragret, and the entire athletic department.”

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) 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 conferences, 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 to relaying information across campuses and conferences, the committee speaks on behalf of the entire Division II student-athlete body throughout the NCAA governance structure.

Division II SAAC members serve as voting members on a number of Division II committees, including the Management Council. The SAAC also has voting authority during the Division II Business Session at the annual NCAA Convention.

Currently 28 members, including representatives from each of the 23 Division II multisport voting conferences, three at-large representatives, and two members of the Management Council. The two members of the Management Council and one member of the Executive Board serve as ex-officio and nonvoting members.

The Division II SAAC Nominating Subcommittee selects national committee members from a diverse pool of candidates that conference offices submit. The Division II Administrative Committee ratifies the appointments, and each student-athlete serves a non-renewable three-year term; however, the student-athlete may serve only up to one year after exhausting his or her eligibility.