The Big South Conference is an exemplary leader in college athletics and is dedicated to developing student-athletes through the pursuit of excellence in the classroom, community and field of play.  The league takes pride in its commitment to fostering the academic, personal, social, athletic and leadership development of its student-athletes.  Big South student-athletes receive a multitude of opportunities through the conference's member institutions, as well as a wide-range of programs created for success after college.

STUDENT-ATHLETE WELFARE
The Big South Conference stresses that the opportunity, advancement and individual growth are at the core of the Student-Athlete experience, with the development of student-athletes for a life of citizenship, leadership, profound achievement and overall well-being serving as the centralized objective.  Ongoing initiatives include an annual Health & Safety Summit, as well as career development with Game Plan.  Furthermore, Big South student-athletes have an opportunity to participate in the following NCAA programs:

Career In Sports Forum
Student-Athlete Leadership Forum
Women's Leadership Symposium

STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Big South Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) provides insight on the student-athlete experience within each representative's institution and in the Big South Conference as a whole, and provides input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives.  The Big South SAAC is comprised of two student-athletes from each member institution, and meets in the Fall and Spring as well as the annual Leadership Conference summer retreat.

2025-26 SAAC OFFICERS
Chair and National SAAC Chair – Meredith Page
Co-Vice Chair – Kimmy Farrey, Longwood (track & field)
Co-Vice Chair – Emily Struckmeyer, Charleston Southern (volleyball)

COMMUNITY SERVICE
Big South student-athletes are involved in community service activities on a regular-basis during their time in the conference.  In 2016-17, Big South members provided nearly 25,000 volunteer hours within their communities.  The Big South SAAC and all student-athletes have also participated in the following initiatives over the years:

Food Drive
Habitat for Humanity
Hurricane Harvey Relief
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Play 4Kay
Samaritan's Feet
Soap for Souls

ACADEMIC CONSORTIUM
The Big South Conference Academic Consortium was created to develop institutional relationships outside of athletics and explore ways to share programs and resources to the benefit of students and member institutions.  The Academic Consortium sponsors the Big South Quiz Bowl and BigSurs, as well as other postgraduate scholarships.

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE WEEKEND
The Big South Conference Student-Athlete Leadership Conference was developed in 2005 to bring together top student-athletes from the conference’s member institutions and to provide them with leadership tools to use on their respective campuses during the year, as well as to provide them with an opportunity to interact with other student-athletes on a non-competitive level.  The 2024 event was held in Black Mountain, N.C.

   2025 EVENT RECAP



   2024 EVENT RECAP



   2023 EVENT RECAP



   2022 EVENT RECAP



   2021 EVENT RECAP

  

   2020 EVENT RECAP



   2019 EVENT RECAP



   2018 EVENT RECAP



   2017 EVENT RECAP



   2016 EVENT RECAP



   2015 EVENT RECAP