This past September through November, the Mines Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted the annual "We Bust Ours" t-shirt fundraiser in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, raising $1,300 for the organization.  The fundraising initiative was spearheaded by SAAC members Nicole LaTourette and Caleb Ring.  Together, the group designs a shirt each year and all members work to sell to all Mines Athletics teams, supporters, and family members in support of this fundraising endeavor.

Mines SAAC partners with the NCAA Division II Make-A-Wish Program for this fundraising initiative.  While Division II schools engage with their communities locally, the division also recognizes the need to contribute on a national scale.  There's no better example of that commitment than Division II's long-standing relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. The Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, which is the primary student-based group that contributes to policy-making for the division, established the Make-A-Wish partnership in 2003 and has since become one of the foundation's largest and most consistent contributors.

Division II has raised more than $5.3 million toward granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. More than 660 "wishes" have been granted through Division II contributions. These wishes can serve as a game changer in children's fights against their illnesses, helping them feel better, and in some cases even get better.

Mines SAAC members are committed to campus and community outreach, involvement, and engagement with the goal to make a lasting impact in Golden and local surrounding areas.  Mines SAAC is composed of 32 current student-athlete leaders, nominated by Mines coaching staffs, and selected due to their leadership skills, positive contributions to their teams, and their excitement for and commitment to their teams and Mines Athletics.  This group is passionate about and committed to outreach and engagement on behalf of Team IMPACT and Special Olympics Colorado.