re: UA Volleyball, Soccer, Track, Tennis, Swim/Diving, Rowing (2023-24)

quote:

---

Alabama’s Sydney Orefice Named Brad Davis SEC Community Service Leader of the Year Award

Orefice becomes the first women’s tennis player in program history to earn the honor

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama women's tennis player Sydney Orefice was named the 2023-24 Brad Davis Southeastern Conference Female Community Service Leader of the Year, Commissioner Greg Sankey announced Tuesday.

Orefice and Texas A&M tennis player Kenner Taylor were chosen by a committee of Faculty Athletics Representatives from SEC universities. Each will receive a $10,000 post-graduate scholarship, provided by the SEC.

"Sydney and Kenner have made a commitment to making their world a better place with a dedication to service in their communities," said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. "Sydney and Kenner reflect a passion for a well-rounded college experience that is typical of student-athletes across the SEC and they represent all that can be achieved by the young people in our Conference. I congratulate them, their families and the universities they represent on this prestigious recognition."

A two-time SEC Community Service Team honoree, Orefice is the eighth Crimson Tide athlete to earn the overall honor. Furthermore, this is the first time Alabama has won the award in back-to-back years (Alabama swimmer Derek Mass won in 2023).

With Orefice's award this year, Alabama now leads the conference with eight overall honorees who have brought the men's and women's Community Service Leader of the Year award home to the Capstone, including: Tony Johnson (football) and Erin Tenbrunsel (volleyball) winning the inaugural honor in 1996, Nichole Lees (soccer, 1998), Andreé Pickens (gymnastics, 2002), Leigh Gilmore (track and field 2012), Lauren Beers (gymnastics, 2016) and Derek Mass (swimming & diving, 2023).

The SEC Community Service Post-Graduate Scholarship is named for former Associate Commissioner Brad Davis, who succumbed to cancer on March 2, 2006. He had been a member of the SEC staff since 1988, first serving as an assistant commissioner until 1994 when he was promoted to associate commissioner.

---