Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 10 No. 4 | March 2018

44 Inside Hokie Sports psychologists—one full time and one part time—on the staff. Both work out of offices in the Merryman Center within easy access for student-athletes. “We’re so lucky,” Tolbert said. “We’re trying to get schools on the same playing field. There are schools that don’t even have doctors—and we have two. I think we’re really lucky and hopefully we can use our resources to get the message out and make some changes.” Tolbert’s term on ACC SAAC runs through May of 2019, so she’ll have a voice in discussions and hopefully legislation at least over the course of the next 17 months. That she gets a say comes as surprise, especially considering that she knew nothing about SAAC before enrolling at Virginia Tech. In that respect, she resembles most collegiate student-athletes, and that realization somewhat pains her. Today’s student-athlete gets a say—a stark difference from the years past—and to affect change, student-athletes need to take advantage of this opportunity. “I didn’t really know that student-athletes had a say or a voice,” Tolbert said. “You kind of just go to practice at this time, go lift at this time, and you forget that this is your experience and it’s what you make it. “When I became a SAAC rep and I was sitting in on meetings about legislation and what’s going on in our community and how we can make the student-athlete life better … I just felt like I was doing something. I felt like I was contributing back to Virginia Tech.” Tolbert’s term ends, coincidentally, around the time in which she graduates from Virginia Tech. At that time, she’ll be in decision- making mode, choosing between either more education or future career paths. Her education leaves her with possibilities, but her experiences on SAAC, at the NCAA Convention and during an internship with the athletics department’s marketing office certainly give her a foundation for a future in college athletics. Such a future sounds appealing, particularly now. “It wasn’t my plan, but I’m open to the idea of continuing a career in college athletics,” she said. “It’s all just a part of gaining experience and learning. “It feels like we, as athletes, are having a conversation with the people who have the power to make change. The student-athlete voice wasn’t represented until now, so being able to be a part of that … I’ve been so humbled and so fortunate.” Experience at NCAA CONVENTION Continued from page 43 JAILA TOLBERT CAREER HIGHLIGHTS • Pursuing a degree in international studies, with a minor in Chinese studies • 2017 All-ACC second team • 2017 team leader in points, hitting percentage and kills • 2017 All-ACC Academic Team • 2017 member of Virginia Tech Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Executive Team • 2017 member of ACC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee • 2017 representative to Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee • 2017 NCAA Convention attendee • 2016 member of Virginia Tech Student-Athlete Advisory Committee • 2016 team leader in hitting percentage • 2015 ACC All-Freshman Team Virginia Tech was well represented at the NCAA Convention, with (left to right) Reyna Gilbert-Lowry, Whit Babcock, Derek Gwinn, Jaila Tolbert, Angie Littlejohn and Joe Tront all attending. , C.E.C. www.Pro f es s i See our vintage ! See our vintage Ad!