By: Audrey Bloomquist, Director for Championships and Marketing

Indianapolis, IN. – Yahir Chairez-Salazar, a redshirt junior on Colorado School of Mines’ men’s wrestling team, has been selected as an at-large Division II National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative, the NCAA Selection Committee announced last week. As of August 18, and extending through January 15, 2028, Chairez-Salazar will represent student-athletes across Division II athletics and will work closely with Sean Belzer of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs’ men’s soccer team, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference’s conference representative.

“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to represent student-athletes within Division II,” said Chairez-Salazar. “Coming from the RMAC, I understand the discipline and dedication that is required to maintain a balance between academics and competitive performance. I want to work diligently with our peers in the NCAA to create a positive atmosphere and impact within our respective communities. I would like to kindly thank the RMAC and Colorado School of Mines for allowing me to be in positions to have a voice and for helping me grow into leadership roles and advocate for what is necessary for student-athletes.”

A native of Greeley, Colorado, Chairez-Salazar is studying electrical engineering, while also serving as the president of Colorado School of Mines’ campus SAAC. During the 2024-25 season, Yahir won the Blaster Award as Mines Athletics’ Comeback Athlete of the Year, and shared the SAAC Community Impact Award with teammate Izaiah Padilla.

“We are very excited for Yahir to join the Division II National SAAC Committee this year,” said Tiffany McCampbell, Colorado School of Mines’ SAAC Advisor. “Yahir is such an amazing person, and he embodies servant leadership and resiliency as a student-athlete at Mines.”

At the national level, SAAC is the primary governance arm representing the interests of student-athletes in Division II affairs. SAAC members serve as student-athlete liaisons, monitoring and discussing activities on campuses, within conferences, and at the national level. Members of the Division II National SAAC commit to advancing the NCAA’s mission, traditions, values, and reputation by regularly participating in committee meetings and discussions.

In addition to relaying information across campuses and conferences, the committee speaks on behalf of the entire Division II student-athlete body throughout the NCAA governance structure and exercises voting authority during the Division II Business Session at the annual NCAA Convention. The 28-member Division II SAAC constituent includes representatives from each of the 23 Division II voting conferences, three at-large representatives, and two members of the Management Council. Each representative commits to enhancing the student-athlete experience and advocating for their Division II peers.

About the RMAC
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, headquartered in Colorado Springs, is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 institutions located in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Utah. The RMAC currently competes in 22 NCAA Division II sports and has earned 67 national championships and 53 national runners-up since 1992. Founded in 1909, the RMAC is the most historic athletic conference in the western United States and Division II.