Episode 312: Dominic Giacona, Great Midwest SAAC Chair

Episode 312 of the Talkin’ G-MAC Podcast, hosted by Katie Gilhooly, shines a spotlight on student-athlete leadership with guest Dominic Giacona, the newly elected GMAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Chair and president of Tiffin University’s campus SAAC.In the episode, Giacona reflects on his journey to becoming conference chair after being elected at the league’s annual SAAC Summit in Columbus. He discusses the responsibilities of the role, including leading discussions on NCAA legislative proposals and ensuring student-athlete voices are heard at both the conference and national levels. From breaking down complex proposals into understandable terms to gathering feedback from teams across campus, Giacona emphasizes the importance of representation and advocacy within Division II governance.The conversation also explores Tiffin’s strong commitment to community engagement. Giacona highlights initiatives such as reading programs at local elementary schools and free leaf-raking services for community members, underscoring the effort to bridge the gap between campus and community. He shares how SAAC involvement has helped foster relationships across teams and build a more unified athletic department.Beyond leadership, Giacona reflects on his experience as a member of Tiffin’s men’s lacrosse program, which he helped build from the ground up as part of the program’s inaugural class. He discusses the growth of lacrosse at the collegiate level, the challenges of launching a new team, and the pride that comes with laying a foundation for future success.Episode 312 offers listeners an inside look at the impact of student-athlete leadership, the value of community service, and the growth of emerging programs within the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.