Local man appointed to NCAA committee

NORTH MANCHESTER, INDIANA — Arturo Casas of Pendleton, a junior at Manchester University, has been appointed to the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

“Being appointed to the Division III SAAC means I not only get to represent Manchester University, but the whole conference at the national level,” Casas said in am MU press release. “It is a great honor to be appointed to this position and I will do my best to have our student-athlete voices heard.”

The SAAC represents the Division III student-athlete voice in the Division III governance structure by reviewing legislation; identifying significant student-athlete issues; implementing national student-athlete based initiatives; encouraging community outreach; and enhancing Division III student-athlete involvement in and understanding of Division III in general.

The committee is also responsible for maintaining and coordinating the division’s nationwide partnership with Special Olympics.

The committee meets in-person four times each year in January, April, July and November and conducts teleconferences as needed.

Casas’s term of service began Jan. 17 and continues through Jan. 17, 2026.

In his pitching career at Manchester, Casas has made 31 appearances and had 35 strikeouts. He is carrying a major in exercise science and a minor in Spanish.

“Arturo being selected to this committee provides him a tremendous opportunity to represent Manchester and the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference on important NCAA topics that will impact student-athletes,” said Rick Espeset, Manchester University’s director of athletics and head baseball coach.

“His commitment to excellence in the classroom, on the field and in our community is truly commendable. Arturo’s dedication, leadership, and passion exemplify the qualities we value at Manchester. I am immensely proud to see our student-athletes contributing to the broader sports community. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact Arturo will undoubtedly make as a member of the NCAA Division III SAAC.”