This NCAA Division II Day looks a little different for Ashland University junior
Rachel McCool.
The division celebrates D-II each year on Feb. 22, to highlight the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on their campus and community.
McCool's impact on the Eagle athletic department, the Great Midwest Athletic Conference and Division II has been on the rise, particularly over the last 13 months.
And that is something she could not have foreseen when she first stepped on campus in the fall of 2023, coming from Lebanon, Ohio - more than 2½ hours away.
"I had no idea SAAC was even a thing," said McCool, currently the NCAA Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Chair and a member of the NCAA Management Council. "I had no expectations or desires. But I'm so happy that the opportunity kind of presented itself, and I was able to join such an amazing opportunity.
"Division II Day, I think it's a great way to highlight student-athletes. It's the best experience, because it has the best student-athlete balance. It's a great way to showcase all that D-II has to offer."
While at Lebanon High School, the seeds of what McCool now is doing were sewn in a leadership group called Captains Council – similar to SAAC, but on a smaller scale.
McCool has played 35 games in her first three seasons at AU, for an Eagle women's soccer program which has gone to the NCAA postseason three times, won two Great Midwest tournament and regular-season championships and has an overall mark of 50-6-11 in that span.
She, however, has wanted to get more out of her student-athlete experience.
"My parents (Teresa and Andy) have always pushed me to do more, open as many doors as possible," McCool said, "and kind of stay well-rounded. Do all the things as much as possible, say yes to every opportunity. I found a passion for community engagement ever since I was little, always trying to help give back to the community.
"So when the opportunity presented itself to be the community service chair on the Ashland SAAC, I was like, 'Why not?' From that, I was able to go to go to the level, and then, from that, obviously go to the national level. It was unexpected, for sure, but one of the best experiences ever."
McCool is following in the D-II national service footsteps of former Eagle women's lacrosse player
Alexis Montalvo, who was a member of D-II SAAC for two years from 2023-25.
"Seeing her interact on campus was like, 'Oh cool, she represents the G-MAC, that's insane.' I was so impressed by her. She was talking about legislation and proposals…she knows so many things. This is so cool.
"I didn't think about it being myself until I went to the conference summit over the summer that following July. During the conference summit, they were doing elections for President and VP at the conference level, but then they also briefly mentioned the national SAAC position opening up. I was like, 'Why shoot for the moon when I can shoot for the stars and get the national position?'"
For McCool, Montalvo was a groundbreaker for thinking bigger in terms of service.
"She seemed like an expert," she said, "and had so much knowledge. And I was just blown away. I thought that would be an amazing opportunity."
McCool was on national SAAC in 2025, and began as its External Communications Coordinator in October. But then, there was a new height to reach for.
"The previous chair, (Oklahoma Baptist's) Avery Hellmuth, was rolling off, so I thought, 'Why not?'"
McCool was voted to her two latest roles in January at the NCAA Convention in Washington, D.C. – a week which was quite the whirlwind.
"It was a lot of long days," she admitted. "It was definitely a struggle for me, because I love my sleep. The days were long, but so much fun. It was a lot of work, a lot of long meetings, but I felt like we did a lot of work and we really benefited from the time we were there."
The networking opportunities McCool will have as SAAC chair and Management Council member, along with sharing the D-II student-athlete voice, are what she is looking forward to in the months ahead.
"It's really unique. No one knows what it is like to be you, so being able to share your story, and really show what it means to be a D-II student-athlete, that's the best way I can lead," McCool said.
As for the support McCool has gotten from Eagle athletics, including being termed a "true pioneer" by AU Director of Athletics
Al King, she said, "I felt so much support. I have never felt so loved and supported. It was just such a surreal moment of just like a wave of support and gratitude.
"Al was so excited, and I heard from so many people about how much excitement Al had for me, and that just made my heart so warm. It definitely feels nice to know that I have so many people behind me."
As for who at Ashland may be the next
Rachel McCool or Alexis Montalvo, McCool said, "I haven't found someone yet, but I am more than happy to continue building relationships, talking to others. Because I think you kind of do have to put your faith into someone else and express that, 'Hey, I think this is something that would be really good for you.'
"If you hear that from someone else, they're more confident in their abilities, and they would be more willing to step up to the plate. That confidence and appreciation, it goes a long way."
