March 18, 2020

Gilbert named to SAC COVID-19 Task Force

Mars Hill's FAR Marty Gilbert was named to the South Atlantic Conference COVID-19 Task Force, as announced by the league.

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com)- 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