PINE BLUFF, AR. — The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Department of Athletics held its inaugural Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Induction Ceremony on Thursday, August 27, 2026. The historic event brought together senior administrators, coaches and scholar-athletes to recognize and celebrate the newest members of SAAC.

Cecilia Thompson, Assistant Director of Athletic Academic Services and SAAC Advisor, welcomed those in attendance and shared remarks about the importance of SAAC and its role in providing scholar-athletes with a voice within the athletics department.

SAAC President Tyra Taylor then led the group in reciting the SAAC Mission Statement, followed by the official induction and swearing-in of the new SAAC members.
Following the induction ceremony, Secondary SAAC Advisor Maurice Edwards Jr. explained the significance of the SAAC lapel pins presented to each new member. The newly appointed 2026-27 SAAC Executive Board was then introduced, with each member sharing their position within the organization.

The 2026-27 SAAC Executive Board includes Tyra Taylor (Women's Basketball), President; Kalani Vreen (Women's Track & Field), Vice President; Shakaidria Hubbard (Softball), Secretary; James "Trey" Glymph (Football), Treasurer; Haley Reeves (Volleyball), Social Media Representative; and Jasmine Davis (Women's Basketball), SWAC SAAC Representative.

The executive board will help represent the voice of UAPB scholar-athletes, strengthen communication between student-athletes and athletics administration, and lead SAAC initiatives focused on leadership, service and engagement throughout the 2026-27 academic year.

UAPB Director of Athletics Chris Robinson congratulated the new members and emphasized the importance of scholar-athlete leadership.

"This is an important moment for our scholar-athletes and for UAPB Athletics," Robinson said. "SAAC provides our young men and women with an opportunity to have a voice, develop as leaders and make a positive impact not only within athletics, but throughout our campus and community. I'm proud of each of these scholar-athletes for accepting the responsibility to represent their teammates. We want them to understand that leadership is about service, and I'm excited to see what this group will accomplish during the 2026-27 academic year."

The ceremony concluded with remarks centered on leadership, advocacy, service and the continued growth of UAPB's scholar-athletes.  Thompson expressed her appreciation to everyone who helped make the inaugural ceremony a success and shared her excitement for the year ahead.

"We would like to thank everyone who took the time to attend and support our inaugural SAAC Induction Ceremony," Thompson said. "We are excited to welcome our new members and look forward to an impactful year of leadership, advocacy and service as we continue this journey together."

The inaugural SAAC Induction Ceremony marked the start of a new tradition within UAPB Athletics while celebrating scholar-athletes committed to serving as leaders, advocates, and representatives of their peers.