BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – University of Georgia swimmer
Sam Powe was named the 2025-26 Brad Davis Southeastern Conference Community Service Male Leader of the Year, as introduced by SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey Tuesday morning.
Powe obtained the respect alongside the feminine recipient, Missouri monitor & area athlete Skylar Ciccolini, amongst a candidate pool together with all 16 SEC establishments. The recipients have been chosen by a committee of Faculty Athletics Representatives from every college. Both student-athletes will obtain a $15,000 post-graduate scholarship from the league.
“Skylar and Sam are making a meaningful impact through their commitment to serving others in their communities,” Sankey stated. “Their passion for a well-rounded college experience reflects the values demonstrated by student-athletes across the SEC. We congratulate Skylar and Sam, along with their families and universities, on this well-deserved recognition.”
“Sam has been a model student-athlete and an outstanding representative of Georgia Athletics throughout his college career,” J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics
Josh Brooks stated. “His achievements in competition, in the classroom and in the community speak to his character and dedication. We are thrilled for Sam as he joins a long line of distinguished Bulldog alumni to earn this honor, and we look forward to celebrating him and his achievements in the days ahead.”
Powe is the eighth Georgia student-athlete to obtain the accolade, named for former SEC Associate Commissioner Brad Davis who served on the SEC workers from 1988 till his demise in 2006. With eight Bulldogs honored, Georgia is now tied with Alabama for essentially the most Brad Davis honors of any SEC establishment. Cross nation/monitor & area Jessica Drop was the final Bulldog acknowledged in 2021, whereas the Georgia swimming and diving program beforehand produced a winner in Virginia Pate in 2004.
“We are immensely proud of Sam for this outstanding achievement,” Georgia Men’s Swimming & Diving Head Coach
Neil Versfeld stated. “Throughout his four years with our program, Sam has been a tremendous leader in the water, the classroom, and the community. He is the epitome of an all-around student-athlete and is well-deserving of this award.”
Powe graduated from Georgia final Friday with a bachelor’s diploma in Finance from the Terry College of Business following 4 seasons on the boys’s swimming and diving crew.
Community Service Highlights - 2026 SEC Community Service Team Member
- Inductee of University of Georgia L.E.A.D. Leadership Education and Development Academy
- Oversaw crew’s Swim Across America marketing campaign, working with teammates to boost funds for most cancers analysis
- Volunteered with Barrow Elementary Pen Pal Program, attending weekly conferences with native schoolchildren
- Organized crew service alternatives at Athens Area Diaper Bank and Athens Habitat for Humanity ReStore
- Participated in a number of Special Olympics occasions in each Athens and Chattanooga
- Served for 4 years as counselor and lesson trainer at UGA Summer Swim Camps
Academic Honors
- Three-time CSCAA Scholar All-America Team member (2023-25)
- College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team (2026)
- Four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll (2023-26)
- Named to J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Honor Roll in every semester with 4 placements on Dean’s List
Athletic Honors
- Four-year letterwinner for Georgia
- Ranks high 10 in program historical past in 100-yard backstroke, 200-yard backstroke, and 800-yard freestyle relay
- Competed for Georgia at 2024 NCAA Men’s Swimming & Diving Championships
- Competed at three SEC Championships, reaching two 200-yard backstroke championship finals and scoring in seven particular person occasions
- Finished twentieth in 200-meter backstroke at 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials and competed at 2023 and 2025 U.S. National Championships
University of Georgia Brad Davis SEC Community Service Leader of the Year Honorees
2000 – Brett Millican, Football
2003 – Brett Kirouac, Football
2004 – Virginia Pate, Women’s Swimming & Diving
2010 – John Egan, Men’s Track & Field
2011 – Bridget Lyons, Women’s Track & Field
2015 – Chris Conley, Football
2021 – Jessica Drop, Women’s Track & Field
2026 – Sam Powe, Men’s Swimming & Diving