Alyssa Alfano, a member of the TCNJ women’s soccer team and Vice President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and Curt Gruber from men’s tennis, represented The College of New Jersey at the 2026 NCAA Convention earlier this month. Their participation was made possible through the NCAA’s Strategic Initiatives Conference Grant Program. The event took place at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
The convention provided student-athletes from all divisions with an opportunity to observe and participate in national governance and initiatives focused on student experiences within collegiate athletics. Alfano commented on her experience: “Attending the NCAA Convention was truly one of the most impactful and unforgettable experiences of my collegiate career,” she said. “As the Vice President of TCNJ SAAC and a member of the women’s soccer team, I felt incredibly honored and grateful to represent TCNJ student-athletes on a national stage… Being surrounded by so many passionate, driven individuals who care deeply about improving the student-athlete experience was both inspiring and empowering.”
During the four-day event, attendees engaged with peers and athletic administrators. Activities included attending the State of the Association Address delivered by NCAA President Charlie Baker, participating in forums such as the NCAA Division III Issues Forum and NJAC administrative meeting, and observing legislative sessions where representatives voted on proposals for the upcoming year.
Educational sessions throughout the week addressed various topics affecting student-athletes, including their well-being. Gruber highlighted mental health as a recurring theme: “The NCAA really seemed to focus and care about mental health as it kept appearing in both the sessions I attended and conversations with others… Talking with other athletes from around the country and sharing our stories was very impactful and made me realize we are not alone.”
Alfano reflected further on her experience: “The connections I made, the perspectives I gained and the knowledge I took away will stay with me far beyond this week,” she said. “I’m leaving this experience feeling extremely thankful, motivated, and excited to bring everything I learned back to our campus to better serve and advocate for TCNJ student-athletes.”
