Big Ten Announces 2026-2027 Student-Athlete Issues Commission

ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Big Ten Conference today announced the Student-Athlete Issues Commission (SAIC) for the 2026-2027 academic year. Student-athletes are nominated by their institution and appointed by the Conference’s Joint Group Executive Committee to serve on the commission for one academic year. This year’s members are: 

NCAA DI SAAC Representative & Co-Chair: Maisyn Rader, Women's Gymnastics, Ohio State 
Co- Chair: Russell Soohoo, Men's Tennis, Oregon 
Vice Chair, Internal: Jordan Dunigan, Men's Track & Field, Minnesota 
Vice Chair, External: Landon Lauter, Football, Northwestern 
Secretary: Brynn Storhoff, Rowing, Iowa 
Cayla Jackson, Women’s Soccer, Illinois 
Javi Baeza, Women’s Field Hockey, Indiana 
Easton Fleshman, Men’s Wrestling, Iowa 
Ava McKennie, Women’s Basketball, Maryland 
Wyatt Novara, Baseball, Michigan 
Malayah Long, Women's Volleyball, Michigan State 
Jayden Edmonson, Men's Swim & Dive, Minnesota 
Daniel Kaelin, Football, Nebraska 
Nadia Nemeth, Field Hockey, Northwestern 
Maisyn Rader, Women's Gymnastics, Ohio State 
Russell Soohoo, Men’s Tennis, Oregon 
Isaiah Clerkley, Men's Swim & Dive, Penn State 
James Rowley, Men’s Wrestling, Purdue 
Ava Chiarella, Women's Lacrosse, Rutgers 
Jaidin Russell, Men’s Volleyball, UCLA 
Madison Whyte, Women’s Track & Field, USC 
Zach Ramsey, Men’s Soccer, Washington 
Jack Janicki, Men's Basketball, Wisconsin 

The Student-Athlete Issues Commission was founded in 1994. Its members take an active role in monthly meetings discussing the issues most important to Big Ten student-athletes and highlighting ongoing initiatives on their respective campuses. SAIC executive leadership members also represent over 14,000 Big Ten student-athletes in front of the Conference’s Joint Group council and represent the Big Ten Conference on the NCAA’s Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, where they review NCAA activities, proposed legislation and offer feedback on behalf of the Big Ten’s student-athletes.