Bowdoin Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
About BSAAC
The Bowdoin Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (BSAAC) is a committee comprised of student-athletes representing every team on campus that comes together to provide insight on, and support for, the student-athlete experience. The BSAAC offers input to the Athletic Department administrative team on policies and procedures that affect student-athletes' day-to-day experience on campus, engages in programming to bring attention to the athletic experience on campus, and coordinates several community service initiatives within our campus and local community.
Chairs of the BSAAC operating committees meet with the Director of Athletics and coaching staff liaison and Head Coach of Women's Basketball Megan Phelps, every-other-week to ensure there are exceptional lines of communication between student-athletes and athletic department administrators. BSAAC operating committees include Community Service, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, First Year Integration, Mental Health, and Social Media.
Bowdoin Athletes for Patients at New England Cancer Specialists
Bowdoin College athletes are coming together during the 2024-25 academic year to make a significant impact through a special giving campaign benefiting the patients of New England Cancer Specialists. This initiative, driven by the passion and dedication of the student-athletes, aims to support individuals battling cancer by providing essential resources and care. Throughout their games this year, Bowdoin's athletes will be promoting the campaign, encouraging fans, alumni, and community members to contribute and join them in making a difference in the lives of cancer patients.
New England Cancer Specialists is a leading provider of comprehensive cancer care in the region, and the funds raised through this campaign will directly support their mission of offering top-tier medical treatment, compassionate support, and innovative therapies to those in need. By choosing to align their athletic efforts with a cause that touches so many, the Bowdoin College athletes are not only demonstrating their commitment to excellence on the field but also their dedication to giving back to the community in a meaningful way.
To support this local initiative to benefit New England Cancer Specialists, please visit the Bowdoin contribution website. Questions regarding New England Cancer Specialists and how to support the organization can be sent to Financial Coordinator Seth Blanchard at blancs@newecs.org.
Leadership Team
Candice Ballarin
President
Candice Ballarin is the current President of the Bowdoin Student Athlete Advisory Committee. With three years of service on the committee, she previously held the position of Community Service Chair during the 2023-2024 school year. As a senior majoring in Francophone Studies and minoring in Chemistry, Candice plans to attend medical school after graduation. At Bowdoin, she is also the captain of the Women's Tennis Team for the 2024-2025 season and a program director for Aceing Autism. Additionally, Candice frequently volunteers at the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program. Candice is passionate about community service and aims to foster unity among athletic teams through active community engagement.
Liam Roehr
Vice President
Liam Roehr serves as the Vice President of BSAAC, as well as the interim Chair of the Community Service Committee. He was nominated to BSAAC during his junior year and previously served on the Community Service Committee. He is a senior chemistry major and religious studies minor planning to attend graduate school for synthetic organic chemistry. At Bowdoin, Liam is a member of the Men's Swimming and Diving Team and holds various student teaching positions within the chemistry department and conducts research throughout the academic year. Liam is passionate about community outreach and engagement in an effort to increase accessibility of sports and academics for the greater community.
Kyra Hacker
Mental Health Committee Chair
Kyra Hacker is the Mental Health Committee Chair for the Bowdoin Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Kyra was previously on the Mental Health Committee of BSAAC last year and also participated in the partnering mental health club, The Hidden Opponent. Kyra is a junior captain on the Women's Soccer Team, playing defense for the polar bears. Academically, she is a neuroscience major and a digital and computational studies minor. Kyra has worked as a research intern in a psychiatry lab and looks to pursue a career in science or medicine. Outside of school and sports, Kyra has been a part of the Bear Buddies Club on campus, worked as an intramural sports official at Bowdoin, and participated in the LEAD program.
Mary Rainey
Mental Health Committee Chair - Spring Semester
Mary Rainey is the Mental Health Committee Chair for the 24-25 Spring Semester for the Bowdoin Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Mary was previously on the Diversity Equity and Inclusion committiee of BSAAC last year and was an officer on The Hidden Opponent, a club focusing on the advocating for athlete's mental health. Mary is a sophomore forward on the Women's Soccer Team. Mary is undeclared but planning on being a neuroscience - digital computation studies coordinate double major. Mary is a part of ResLIfe, working as an RA, she is also a student aid office itern here on campus. Mary has participated in the LEAD program and worked as an intramural sports official at Bowdoin. Mary is passionate about mental health advocacy and creating a culture of understanding and compassion in athletics and the greater Bowdoin community.
Anyi Sun
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair
Anyi Sun is the current Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Bowdoin Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Previously, she was on the DEI committee as a representative. Anyi is a junior on the women's ice hockey team double majoring in mathematics and computer science while also looking to get a minor in visual arts. Having served as vice president of Bowdoin Student Government her sophomore year and as a co-organizer for the TedxBowdoinCollege club, she is looking to take these experiences to BSAAC and put on more events for the community as well as engage the athletic department in many on-campus events. This year, she will also be serving as the Vice President of internal affairs for Athletes of Color Coalition and is looking to create more collaborative opportunities between these two athletic organizations. Anyi is eager to help foster an inclusive environment throughout Bowdoin and excited to be an advocate for that on BSAAC.
Carly Davey
Social Media Committee Chair
Carly Davey is the current chair of the Social Media Committee for BSAAC. Last year she was a member of this same committee and is looking forward to continuing to celebrate the success of Polar Bear student-athletes. Carly is a junior captain of the Women's Basketball team at Bowdoin and plays point guard, which she argues is the best and most fun position on the court. Academically, Carly is a Economics and Digital and Computational Studies coordinate major with an Africana Studies minor. She is a learning assistant for classes in these departments and enjoys getting to work with the incredible professors in them. In her free time she likes hanging out with her teammates and friends, going to other Bowdoin sporting events, and watching movies.
Nina Fearon
Community Service Committee Chair
Nina Fearon is the chair of the Community Service Committee after having served as a member on the committee during the 2023-2024 academic year. Nina is entering her junior year at Bowdoin and is a member of the Women's Swimming and Diving team. She is majoring in Earth and Oceanographic Science and Asian Studies and minoring in Arabic. Nina will be studying abroad in Beijing this fall to pursue her interests in Mandarin language learning and Chinese history and culture. She is also passionate about sustainability and works for the office of sustainability at Bowdoin under the Green Athletics team. Nina is one of the Club Water Polo captains and enjoys surfing, cold plunging, hiking, running, skiing, and baking. She is excited to be a part of BSAAC again this year and aims to continue to foster connections between Bowdoin athletes, Bowdoin campus communities, and the greater Brunswick area.
Charlotte Hodge
First-Year Integration Committee Chair
Charlotte Hodge is the chair of the First Year Integration Committee. She has previously served on the mental health committee and first year integration committees during her sophomore and junior years. As a Biochemistry major and Anthropology minor, she hopes to pursue PA school in the post-grad years. For the past three years, she has competed on the track and field team as a pole vaulter and is excited for one last season! If Charlotte isn't in practice or class you might find her at Mid Coast Hospital volunteering, finishing a reaction in Professor Tate's research lab, running late to PT, or hanging out with her friends. She is very excited to make the transition to college as seamless for first year athletes as possible and share what it means to be a polar bear with the class of 2028.
