LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) announced that East Stroudsburg University football student-athlete Rece Bender has been named PSAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Co-Chair. Bender will represent ESU along with other PSAC institutions on the eastern half of the state in the committee.
In this appointment, Bender will serve on the PSAC Advisory Council. The council is made up of athletic administrators and coaches, among other executive personnel to review proposals that are then passed along to the PSAC Presidents Council. Bender will also represent ESU and the eastern division at board of directors meetings and additional conference gatherings.
"This is indeed an honor for Rece to serve in this leadership capacity in the PSAC," said ESU Director of Athletics Dr. Gary R. Gray. "We are very proud of Rece at ESU and know he will work hard to represent all student-athletes in his discussions. NCAA Division II has worked hard over the past several years to increase the voice of student-athletes in the governance process at the national level, at the conference level, and at the institution level. Rece will contribute a lot to the PSAC governance process."
Bender, a junior sport management major, is well accomplished on and off the field for the Warriors. A dean's list student, he currently serves as ESU's SAAC Vice President.
"I can not think of a better representative for East Stroudsburg University and intercollegiate athletics than Rece Bender," said ESU football head coach Jimmy Terwilliger. "He is the epitome of a student-athlete and his leadership qualities extend far beyond the gridiron, to the classroom, campus and local community. I am equally excited for the opportunity he has to represent East Stroudsburg University and build his life/career resume."
On the field, Bender was named to the PSAC Defensive Second Team as a return specialist in 2019. As a sophomore, he led the PSAC with 28.0 yards per kick return and averaged 15.44 yards on punt returns. Bender took back a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown at Shepherd, and also scored on a 95-yard kickoff return in the season finale against Clarion, which was tied for the fourth-longest kick return in program history. As a wide receiver, he made 30 catches (3rd on team) for 528 yards (2nd on team) and six touchdowns (t-1st) in 2019.
A native of Lancaster, Bender is joined by Shaelyn Foy of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and Madeline McKenna of California University of Pennsylvania as PSAC SAAC Co-Chairs.
