CARSON – California State University, Dominguez Hills hooper Damian "DJ" Guest Jr. has been selected as the NCAA Division II California Collegiate Athletic Association Student-Athlete Advisory Commission representative. Guest is the first ever CSUDH student-athlete to ever hold the position. He joins the committee of other representatives to serve as the voice of all student athletes from NCAA Division II.
 
Guest's appointment as the CCAA SAAC representative is a two year commitment until 2025 with the opportunity for a third year that would see him serve until 2026. As the CCAA SAAC representative, Guest will be responsible for attending all NCAA Division II National Conferences that discuss important bylaws and rules that shape the way NCAA Division II is operated.
 
Additionally, Guest will be responsible for meeting with all Athletics Directors for each CCAA institution to discuss student-athletes' concerns, questions, suggestions, and to build an overall better understanding between the two sides.
 
"We are incredibly proud of DJ for earning this opportunity. DJ is selfless and intelligent, and I have no doubt he will thrive in his role as CCAA SAAC representative. He will represent our conference with class and will add great value in this role."  - CSUDH Men's Basketball Coach Steve Becker
 
A junior guard/forward from Los Angeles, Guest is CSUDH's first ever NCAA SAAC representative. As a sophomore in 2022-23, Guest played in 23 games (22 starts) for the Toros and led the team in points per game with 13.3 and rebounds per game with 7. His success on the court also translates into the classroom as Guest sported a 3.572 grade-point average as an undergraduate and is starting his master's journey in Curriculum and Instruction this fall.
 
"I am so humbled to be able to serve CSUDH and the CCAA as their SAAC representative for (NCAA) Division II," Guest said. "I am always looking to be a part of change in the world and impact people's lives in a positive way. This opportunity is the perfect way to do that."
 
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) serves as the primary governance arm representing nearly 120,000 student-athlete interests in Division II affairs. SAAC members serve as student-athlete liaisons that monitor and discuss happenings on campuses, within conferences and at the national level.
 
"To have an NCAA National SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Council) rep on your campus is a tremendous honor and is one that DJ Guest is fully deserving of. DJ has been a key piece to the renewed success of DH's SAAC after COVID and has shown himself to be one of our top leaders within the department. With this role, DJ will have the opportunity to speak on behalf of the thousands of student-athletes within our conference; will be present at leadership events and activities across the Division II landscape and will be present at the NCAA National conference in January. We are excited that he will have this opportunity for the next two years and will be able to showcase the best of what the CCAA offers but also showcase the amazing student-athletes we have on our campus. I can't wait to see how DJ places his mark on his tenure!" - CSUDH Student-Academic Success Coordinator Kisha Calbert
 
Representatives are responsible for gathering feedback and reporting on behalf of their conference, as well as relaying important events, hot topics and educational information to both the campus and conference levels. 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.
 
"The CCAA would like to congratulate DJ for being appointed as our NCAA Division II SAAC representative," said Commissioner Allen Hardison. "DJ is an exceptional leader and he will provide a balanced voice for our student-athletes in the conference at the national level. I would also like to thank Corbin Thaete for his efforts representing the conference at the national level the past two years. He helped set the standard for this role and we appreciate all his time and efforts." - CCAA Commissioner Allen Hardison

Division II SAAC members serve as voting members on a number of Division II committees, including the Management Council. The SAAC also has voting authority during the Division II Business Session at the annual NCAA Convention. It is composed of 28 members, including representatives from each of the 23 Division II multisport voting conferences, one representative of Division II independent institutions, two at-large representatives, and two members of the Management Council. The two members of the Management Council and one member of the Presidents Council serve as ex-officio and nonvoting members.
 
"We are so incredibly happy and proud of DJ and his selection to serve on the NCAA DII Student-Athlete Advisory Committee," CSUDH AVP and Director of Athletics Eric McCurdy said. "From President Parham to Dr. Franklin, our entire DH community, we know that DJ is incredibly talented on the court, but an even better human being off the court. This selection only solidifies what we are trying to accomplish here in athletics and campus-wide. I know DJ expects perfection but will settle for excellence."