Courtesy: MIT Athletics
Cambridge, Mass. (February 17) — MIT swimming and diving junior David He (South Setauket, N.Y.) was recently selected to serve a two-year term on the NCAA Division III National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), as announced by the NCAA office and the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC). His term will run from January 2021 through January 2023. As stated in the Division III Partner-Conference SAAC structure, He will also be the primary representative of the NEWMAC’s partner league in the committee, the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) and will work with the NESCAC-appointed associate representative.
“It is an incredible honor to be a member of the NCAA D3 SAAC. I feel very privileged to be able to represent my fellow student-athletes from MIT, the NEWMAC, and around the NCAA,” said He. “Especially during a global pandemic, I will do my best to help ensure student-athletes can participate in collegiate athletics in a safe and positive manner.”
According to the NCAA, the mission of the National SAAC is to “enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare and fostering a positive student-athlete image.” Functions of the National SAAC is to generate a student-athlete voice within the NCAA structure, solicit student-athlete response to proposed NCAA legislation, recommend potential NCAA legislation, review, react and comment to the governance structure on legislation, activities and subjects of interest, actively participate in the administrative process of athletics programs and the NCAA, and promote a positive student-athlete image.
He, a mathematics with computer science major, has found a great deal of success with the swimming and diving team during his time with the program. In 2019-20, He qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championship meet for the first time and earned both All-America honors and NEWMAC All-Conference accolades in the 200 fly. During the regular season, He also posted 12 NCAA “B” cut times.
“We are so excited for David to represent our team, MIT and the NEWMAC on the Division III National SAAC! Throughout his three years as a student-athlete at MIT, David has taken advantage of many opportunities within the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (DAPER),” said Mary Frances Wagley ’47 Swimming and Diving Head Coach, Meg Sisson French. “His hard work in the pool and investment within the Levitch Leadership Laboratory (L^3) and SAAC have given him valuable tools to bring to this new role. Throughout this past year, David’s leadership skills have truly shined. He displays a steady sense of creativity and thoughtfulness that has helped create a genuine sense of connection and unity on our team. I’m confident he’ll bring a similar level of enthusiasm to the Division III National SAAC and will be a fantastic representative of MIT!”
When David is not swimming, he is an active member of the MIT community. He is a member of the Levitch Leadership Laboratory (L^3), the MIT SAAC, a resident peer mentor and the facilities chair for Baker House and is part of MIT’s Asian American Association (AAA). David has also held positions as a software engineering intern at Buncee, LLC and as a development intern at Liquidnet Holdings Inc.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for David to serve on National SAAC and represent MIT and his fellow student-athletes at the national level,” said MIT Director of Athletics/DAPER Department Head, Dr. G. Anthony Grant. “His willingness to step up and take on this important leadership opportunity is to be commended. I look forward to partnering with him to ensure that we are providing the best possible experience for our student-athletes.”
Since David’s arrival in Cambridge, the MIT swimming and diving team has posted a dual meet record of 17-2 and is undefeated against Division III opponents. The Engineers have claimed two NEWMAC Championship titles, two MIT Winter Invitational crowns and have seen 25 different student-athletes take home All-America accolades. He competes in multiple events and has posted the following times as his best marks of his collegiate career: 500 free (4:59.24), 100 breast (56.92), 200 breast (2:12.11), 100 fly (49.05), 200 fly (1:47.94), 200 IM (1:50.98) and 400 IM (4:00.04).
“The NEWMAC is thrilled that David He was selected by the NCAA to serve as the NEWMAC’s National SAAC representative,” expressed NEWMAC Executive Director Patrick B. Summers. “A decorated MIT swimming & diving scholar-athlete and mathematics with computer science major, David embodies the Division III philosophy and will represent the conference well at the national level. We are excited to work with and support David. We wish him the best on the committee!”
2021 National SAAC
Ariana Pena – Neumann University (Atlantic East)
Anya Gunewardena – Johns Hopkins University (Centennial)
Gerard W. Bryant – John Jay (CUNYAC)
Anthony Francois – John Jay (CUNYAC)
Madeira Alexander – Salisbury University (Coast-To-Coast)
Zach Bulthuis – Carthage College (CCIW)
Jack Mulvihil – St. John Fisher College (Empire 8)
Benedetto Laboni – Anna Maria College (GNAC)
Abigail Newkirk – Bluffton University (HCAC)
Mercy Ogutu – Trinity Washington University (Independent)
Warren Watson II – Ithaca College (Liberty League)
Paxton Blanchard – Keene State College (Little East)
Hunter Nash – Alma College (MIAA)
Bridgett Finn – Lebanon Valley College (MAC)
Joseph Dorgan Jr. – Knox College (Midwest)
Talia Williams – Carleton College (MIAC)
David He – MIT (NEWMAC)
Cassandra Contigiani – Thomas College (NAC)
Janne Brown – Aurora University (NACC)
Tyler Rover – Oglethorpe University (SAA)
Vaish Siddapureddy – Pomona-Pitzer Colleges (SCIAC)
Megan M. Koch – Colorado College (SCAC)
Jessica Ann Ader – SUNY Potsdam (SUNYAC)
Devonta Amos – UW-La Crosse (WIAC)
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