SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Eight members of the St. Francis Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) spent a day on the Santa Clara University campus on Jan. 23. The Troubies met with former soccer Olympian and National Champion, Danielle Slayton, the school’s director for the Coaching Life Academy.

“This experience helped me learn to identify my communication style, and introduced me to styles different from mine,” said St. Francis SAAC President and Swim team member Emily Bartylla.  “Understanding this has proven key to creating effective communication in groups to reach common goals.”

Slayton led the Troubies in several leadership and communication training activities.

“Danielle’s exercise about self-leadership insights has given me the tools to be more productive and supportive of others in the classroom and on the pool deck,” said Bartylla.

The purpose of the  SAAC is to represent the voice of student-athletes at St. Francis Catholic High School. They meet monthly with Athletic Director Mark McGreevy to discuss topics regarding the department and teams. They recently coordinated a National Girls & Women in Sports Day event at the school.

“I realized the importance of having your own perspective in order to assist others in achieving their potential,” said Bartylla.

The Troubies also spent time with alumnae Maggie Oys ’15 and Sally Ferguson ’16, who are members of the Santa Clara water polo program. Oys also serves as her team’s representative on the school’s SAAC.