FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University's Roberto "Bubba" Baroniel (Sr., Miami, Fla.) has made the most of his career as a NCAA Division II student-athlete over the past three and a half years. As much success as he has had on the field, he doubles that off of the field. Recently, Baroniel has been named the NCAA DII Student Athlete Advisory Committee's Chairman. He reflects on his newest role below:
 
    "Ten years from now when people ask me what was my most memorable moment during my college career, aside from hopefully winning a National Championship this year, I will tell them about the past week that I spent in Washington D.C.

    Being named Chairman of the Division II National Student-Athletic Advisory Committee currently ranks as my highest personal achievement. When I look back at my time spent here at NSU, I can't help but to feel incredibly lucky to be a part of such a supportive community. About three years ago, our SAAC met with our Director of Athletics, Michael "Coach" Mominey as part of our annual E-board meeting. It was during this meeting when coach introduced me to the idea of being on national SAAC and challenged me to be the first person to represent NSU on this national committee.

    Often times I get the question of, why is it that I do what I do? What is it about SAAC that I am so passionate about? What people don't often realize is that I didn't come into NSU caring about making a difference in my community. What I really wanted to do was be a national champion and have my name atop of all of the pitching records. However, after having a pretty bad freshmen year from a baseball standpoint, it didn't seem like that was going to be the case. It was at that point in time that I decided that I still wanted to make some kind of an impact at NSU and SAAC was going to serve as that avenue.

    The reason I am so proud to be the National DII SAAC Chairmen is because it's a new avenue for me to make a difference. I look back at the past three and a half years that I have been here and it's amazing how our NSU SAAC has led the charge on bettering the overall student-athlete experience. Our main goal has been to formulate a group of student-athletes who take it upon themselves to leave this community in a better place for future student-athletes. Now I get to take everything that I have learned, the things that work and the things that don't, and apply them on a national level.
 
    But what I am most fortunate of are the relationships that I have formed over the years. Without certain individuals who have been by my side the entire time, we wouldn't of been able to create this positive culture around our NSU SAAC. It all started with Lauren Boudreau and continued on with names such as Megan O'Donnell, Haley McKissack, Sam Gestido, Esau Simpson, Quannisha Allen, Monica Sapp, Jasmine Wilkins and other fellow E-Board members.

    I also want to take this time to thank three individuals who have had a huge impact on my life in college; Andrea Buenano, Greg Brown, and Kelley Kish. These three individuals went out of their way to help me grow as an individual and as a leader; and if it weren't for them I wouldn't be in this position today."