Takemoto elected President of the NWC SAAC
Set to lead the Northwest Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for the 2026-2027 academic year
The election took place during the NWC SAAC spring meeting on Sunday, March 8, hosted on the campus of Lewis & Clark College. Takemoto, a sophomore, was part of a Willamette SAAC delegation that included senior Abbey Staniec, senior Emma Noffsinger and Director of Swimming, Brent Summers.
SAAC is an NCAA-mandated leadership group composed of representatives from all nine NWC member institutions. The committee serves as a vital voice for student-athletes, providing direct input on rules, regulations, and campus policies while prioritizing community service and a positive collegiate experience.
Takemoto expressed a vision of unity and cultural connection for her upcoming term. "By being born and raised with the community and culture from Hawai'i, I wanted to bring my own experience and values to be a part of a group that can find ways to connect and build bridges within our community," said Takemoto. "D3 athletics has given me many opportunities to not just play and compete, but to grow as a leader. I want to find ways to bring our student-athletes together in a way that I found a community here at Willamette."
As President, Takemoto will lead the executive board in fostering engagement across the conference and advocating for the interests of student-athletes at the regional and national levels.