University of Tennessee Athletics
Colby Backus, Callie Tucker Named Brad Davis Community Service Award Winners
May 01, 2025 | Baseball, General, Track & Field, Cross Country
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southeastern Conference announced each of its 16 member institutions' 2024-25 Brad Davis Community Service Award winners on Thursday, with Colby Backus (baseball) and Callie Tucker (women's track & field/XC) earning the honor from Tennessee.
The SEC Community Service Post-Graduate Scholarship is named for former Associate Commissioner Brad Davis. Davis 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.
As winners of the award, Backus and Tucker will receive a $7,500 post-graduate scholarship provided by the SEC. Both nominees are also in contention for the male and female Brad Davis Community Service Leaders of the Year award, with each selection receiving a $15,000 post-graduate scholarship.
Backus displayed tremendous dedication to his community this past fall in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in northeast Tennessee. The redshirt senior outfielder from Johnson City joined several teammates and returned home to deliver donations of food, water and supplies to those in need. He also worked with the Morgan Wallen Foundation in the organization's hurricane relief efforts, helping unload and sort donations.
Set to graduate in May with his degree in kinesiology, Backus plans to attend medical school with the ultimate goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
In her fifth year as a member of the Tennessee track & field and cross country program, Tucker has logged more than 300 hours of community service during her time as a Lady Volunteer. The bulk of her service work has taken place at East Tennessee Children's Hospital — volunteering weekly, working the information desk and engaging in activities and games with patients to help pass the time.
In the spring of 2025, Tucker helped launch Run Your City Knoxville and served as co-president of the organization. The six-week program provided local youth a free introduction to running and sports, working to create an inclusive environment that was accessible to every child, regardless of ability, gender or socioeconomic background.
Tucker is an eight-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and is currently completing her master's degree in public health. The Knoxville native plans to attend medical school after receiving her postgraduate degree.
2024-25 Female Brad Davis SEC Community Service Award Winners:
The SEC Community Service Post-Graduate Scholarship is named for former Associate Commissioner Brad Davis. Davis 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.
As winners of the award, Backus and Tucker will receive a $7,500 post-graduate scholarship provided by the SEC. Both nominees are also in contention for the male and female Brad Davis Community Service Leaders of the Year award, with each selection receiving a $15,000 post-graduate scholarship.
Backus displayed tremendous dedication to his community this past fall in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in northeast Tennessee. The redshirt senior outfielder from Johnson City joined several teammates and returned home to deliver donations of food, water and supplies to those in need. He also worked with the Morgan Wallen Foundation in the organization's hurricane relief efforts, helping unload and sort donations.
Set to graduate in May with his degree in kinesiology, Backus plans to attend medical school with the ultimate goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
In her fifth year as a member of the Tennessee track & field and cross country program, Tucker has logged more than 300 hours of community service during her time as a Lady Volunteer. The bulk of her service work has taken place at East Tennessee Children's Hospital — volunteering weekly, working the information desk and engaging in activities and games with patients to help pass the time.
In the spring of 2025, Tucker helped launch Run Your City Knoxville and served as co-president of the organization. The six-week program provided local youth a free introduction to running and sports, working to create an inclusive environment that was accessible to every child, regardless of ability, gender or socioeconomic background.
Tucker is an eight-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and is currently completing her master's degree in public health. The Knoxville native plans to attend medical school after receiving her postgraduate degree.
2024-25 Female Brad Davis SEC Community Service Award Winners:
- Kailyn Winter, Swimming & Diving, Alabama
- Allie Thome, Swimming & Diving, Arkansas
- Sophia Groth, Gymnastics, Auburn
- Taylor Roberts, Golf, Florida
- Guillermina Grant, Tennis, Georgia
- Bridget Engel, Swimming & Diving, Kentucky
- Madison Martin, Volleyball, LSU
- Lea Horvath, Rifle, Ole Miss
- Ilana Izquierdo, Soccer, Mississippi State
- Ashlyn Mills, Soccer, Missouri
- Gabi Barerra, Track & Field, Oklahoma
- Taylor Fox, Soccer, South Carolina
- Callie Tucker, Track & Field, Tennessee
- Allyson Little, Cross Country, Texas
- Devon Thomas, Equestrian, Texas A&M
- Hannah Weissman, Swimming & Diving, Vanderbilt
- Julian Collins, Track & Field, Alabama
- Brandon Battle, Track & Field, Arkansas
- Andrew Simmons, Swimming & Diving, Auburn
- Jadon Maddux, Track & Field, Florida
- Chaz Chambliss, Football, Georgia
- Jackson Watts, Cross Country, Kentucky
- Welsh Hotard, Men's Tennis, LSU
- Iangelo Atkinstall-Daley, Track & Field, Ole Miss
- Keldrick Turner, Track & Field, Mississippi State
- Will Whittington, Swimming & Diving, Missouri
- Zach Schmit, Football, Oklahoma
- Jacobi Wright, Basketball, South Carolina
- Colby Backus, Baseball, Tennessee
- Coby Carrozza, Swimming & Diving, Texas
- Carter Bajoit, Track & Field, Texas A&M
- Graham Calton, Basketball, Vanderbilt
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Baseball
XC/Distance
/ Cross CountryBig Orange Rewind | September 14, 2025
Monday, September 15
The Mike Keith Show | S2: E3
Thursday, September 11
Big Orange Rewind | September 7, 2025
Monday, September 08
The Mike Keith Show | S2: E2
Friday, September 05
