Dorris earns National SAAC leadership role after record-setting Central State career

Former Central State University track and field standout Darcey Dorris ’25 is taking her leadership from the throwing circle to the national stage, recently earning selection to the National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and an appointment to the NCAA Division II Legislation Committee.

Dorris has served on Division II National SAAC since February 2025, beginning her tenure during her senior year at Central State — a foundation that helped launch her continued leadership at the national level.

The appointment, voted on by her peers, positions Dorris among a select group of student-athlete leaders shaping the future of NCAA Division II athletics — a role she calls both “an honor” and a responsibility to ensure athlete voices are heard.

Champion on the field, consistent excellence

Dorris leaves Central State as one of the most decorated field athletes in program history, particularly in the shot put.

Her accolades include 2025 SIAC Conference Champion in shot put, along with First Team All-Conference honors in 2024 and SIAC All-Conference Indoor recognition in 2025. She added Second Team All-Conference Outdoor honors in 2025, further solidifying her dominance across seasons.

On the regional level, Dorris earned All-Region selections in both 2024 and 2025, while also receiving Peach Belt All-Conference honors during the 2024 indoor season.

Her championship moment came in dramatic fashion — entering her final throw in third place before delivering a winning mark. 

“That was my testimony,” Dorris said. “I prayed for that moment. To see it come together — it meant everything.”

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Building community through leadership and service

Beyond competition, Dorris played a pivotal role in shaping student-athlete life at Central State through her leadership in the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

She served as SAAC Secretary for two years before becoming SAAC President for the 2024–25 academic year, leading initiatives that extended well beyond campus.

Among them was a Women’s Sports Day panel, where Dorris and her peers brought in professional athletes and women in athletic leadership — including Kelsey Mitchell — to speak with young student-athletes about navigating sports as women.

“It was about giving them real perspectives,” Dorris said. “Showing them what’s possible and what it looks like to succeed.”

She also helped organize campus engagement events such as the annual “Pie an Athlete” fundraiser and the athletics banquet, reinforcing SAAC’s role in building community, not just raising funds.

“SAAC is more than just service,” she said. “It’s leadership, networking, and learning how to advocate.”

Her impact earned her the 2025 President’s Award and recognition as a 2025 Female Athlete of the Year nominee.

From campus advocate to national voice

Dorris’ leadership at Central State opened doors to the national level, where she now represents both her institution and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Through her work with National SAAC, she has traveled to key NCAA leadership events, including the NCAA Convention, Super Region conferences and the Apple Training Institute. At the 2026 NCAA Convention, she spoke on the floor in support of proposals advancing women’s sports, including emerging areas such as flag football, stunt and tumbling, and bowling.

“Being one of few people of color in the room and having the chance to speak on behalf of student-athletes across the country — that meant a lot,” she said.

Her appointment to the Division II Legislation Committee now places her at the center of policy discussions, where she helps review and shape rules that directly impact student athletes.

A push for deeper support for student athlete experiences 

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As she continues her work at the national level, Dorris is also calling on the broader Central State community to play a role in sustaining and strengthening student-athlete leadership.

“I really believe in support — emotional, moral and financial,” she said. “SAAC is so much more than fundraising and community service. It’s an opportunity to grow, to network, and to learn how to advocate.”

Dorris emphasized that alumni, coaches, and supporters can make a meaningful difference by investing in student-athletes and their initiatives.

“Support the student-athlete voice,” she said. “When you pour into that, you’re helping develop leaders who will carry those skills into the professional world.”
 

Academic achievement and future aspirations

A first-generation college graduate, Dorris earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in exercise science, graduating with honors and a 3.5 GPA.

She is now pursuing a master’s degree in sports psychology at Northern Illinois University, with aspirations of becoming an athletic director. She is also preparing to present at the upcoming MSEPS conference, continuing her commitment to both scholarship and leadership.
 

A foundation built on faith, family and support

Dorris credits her journey to a strong support system, including mentors at Central State and her family. She pointed to leaders such as Athletic Director Kevicia Brown, Senior Associate Athletic Director Brad Kocher, and Head Coach Elliott Lightfoot for helping her grow from a quiet freshman into a confident leader.

“They saw something in me before I saw it in myself,” she said.

While her accolades and leadership roles define her resume, Dorris points to relationships as the foundation of her Central State experience. She built a strong village of support that shaped many of her most meaningful moments on campus, including her significant other, Tahj Mitchell ’25, and friends Keiana Briscoe ’25 and Aleah Otabor ’26, along with a close-knit group known as “The Council.” Their presence extended beyond friendship — offering daily encouragement, leading Bible studies, and creating lasting memories through game nights and bonfires.

“Those are the moments I’ll remember forever,” she said. “We went through life together. We lifted each other up.”

She also draws inspiration from her grandmother, Rev. Beverly Brown, her parents, Marcey Dorris and Dion Dorris Sr., and her siblings, as well as her faith.

“What God brings me to, He will bring me through,” she said, reflecting on the mindset that guided her through both competition and leadership.

A lasting legacy at Central State

For Dorris, wearing the Central State uniform was more than competition — it was about leaving a legacy.

“I wanted to leave my mark,” she said. “And I believe I did.”

From conference champion to national leader, Dorris’ journey reflects the mission of Central State — developing leaders who excel not only in their fields, but in service to others.