HOOVER, Ala. — Kentucky baseball catcher T.J. Daugherty has been named to the 2011 Southeastern Conference Community Service Team, it was announced by the league office.
A native of Owensboro, Ky., Daugherty has been a vital member of the Kentucky baseball program over the last four years, serving as UK’s primary bullpen catcher. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder has played in 12 career games with one start on the road at No. 1 South Carolina in 2011. Daugherty owns two career hits and two RBI, with his first career hit coming on a bases-loaded, 3-2 offering at San Diego State, scoring a pair of runs. His second hit came in the season finale on Saturday at No. 3 Florida, a double down the rightfield line that could have been stretched into Daugherty’s first career double but with UK facing a deficit he held up at first base.
Daugherty has been extremely active in the community throughout his career, including volunteering at the Bluegrass Miracle League, a little league geared towards allowing handicapped children the opportunity to play baseball. He has also participated in the Jesus Prom at Southland Christian Church, which allows handicapped individuals to opportunity to experience a high school prom. Daugherty has been a lead member of the Cats Cultivating Character program, visiting local elementary schools and mentoring children. He has been involved in preparing and distributing food for God’s Pantry and is the baseball Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative.
A mathematical economics major, Daugherty owns a perfect 4.0 GPA, leading to the 2010-11 Kentucky Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, as presented at the 2011 Catspy Awards.
Allen Dye, Alabama
The sophomore infielder was part of the Alabama baseball team that won the Alabama Athletic Department Community Service Award in 2010 and 2011 … the baseball team’s community service efforts included; partnering with the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation to adopt Grayson Anderson who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2008, Project Angle Tree, Field of Angels, and the Miracle League of Tuscaloosa, while participating in the Halloween Extravaganza and the Sprayberry Christmas Party. Continues to work with his father Hugh and brother Bryan volunteering time the All-Star Baseball League in his hometown of Vestavia Hills. The league provides individuals ages 5-21 an opportunity to compete that every child/adult is re-assured of how special and important they are to their team and the league. Helped with tornado relief efforts in the Tuscaloosa area, to remove debris and salvage property from homes of local community members hit by the tornado. Also helped pass out supplies, that included food, water and individual care supplies to individuals and families that were displaced in the local Holt community.
DJ Baxendale, Arkansas
Participated in the Sweat Hogs Program….Book Hogs Read to Win Program…Thanksgiving Dinner at Homestyle Assisted Living Center…SEC Together We Can Food Drive…Signed autographs and took pictures with Big Brothers and Big Sisters….Was a member of the 2010-2011 Member of the Arkansas Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Cory Luckie, Auburn
SAAC President … Has attended public instructional sessions to help local young baseball players … Attended a foster family picnic that allowed foster children to play with Auburn athletes … Participated in the Halloween Trick-or-Treat … Spent time at Storybrook Farms … Gave an inspirational speech at Prattville Christian Academy … Collected cans for SEC We Can Food Drive … Played and signed autographs for kids at Cary Woods Elementary for their annual back to school kick off.
Greg Larson, Florida
A member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Greg Larson participated in the “Gator Tracks” Christmas shoe drive in which he collected and brought shoes, wrapped boxes and distributed the items to local schools. The right-hander helped with the Friends of Jaclyn adoption with the rest of his teammates and has volunteered at a food bank near his hometown in Orlando. In addition, Larson has assisted with the Climb for Cancer, an event in which Gator student-athletes play games and compete with cancer-stricken kids and their siblings in a variety of sports. He also participated in the Drive for Haiti, collecting t-shirts from various athletic teams to provide relief for the victims of the earthquake which struck the country. Larson was a member of the 2010 SEC Academic and the 2009 SEC Freshman Academic Honor Rolls.
Colby May, Georgia
Assisted with Special Olympics baseball games at Foley Field in 2010 and 2011; Made visits to area elementary schools, reading and teaching Marine Science; Worked at homeless shelters in serving meals; Visited patients at Shepherd Center in Atlanta. Member of UGA Team United, participates in meetings, Bible studies and activities with campus ministries. Recognized as Coca-Cola Community All-American for community service efforts; Member of 2009 SEC Community Service team, Two-time UGA Athletic Director’s Honor Roll member.
T.J. Daugherty, Kentucky
Has been extremely active in the community, volunteering at the Miracle League, a little league for handicapped children … Also participated in the Jesus Prom, at a local church, geared towards giving handicapped individuals an opportunity to attend a prom … Was a lead member of the Cats Cultivating Character program, visiting local elementary schools and mentoring children … Has volunteered preparing and distributing food for God’s Pantry … Is the baseball Student Athlete Advisory Committee representative. The 2010-11 Kentucky Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year, as presented at the 2011 CATSPY Awards in April … Graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA as a mathematical economics major … A three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member
Austin Nola, LSU
Nola, a native of Baton Rouge, has been the leader of the LSU baseball program’s outstanding community service effort in 2010-11. He participates in children’s hospital visits in the Baton Rouge area, meeting with patients and their families while signing autographs, posing for pictures and lifting their spirits. He visited Baton Rouge schools for “Read Across America” Day, encouraging students to expand their education through reading. Nola participated in the Walk to Defeat ALS on the LSU campus – the two- mile walk is conducted to raise money and promote awareness of Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He also annually participates in the Halloween “Boozar” at LSU, as he and his teammates distribute candy to children in the Baton Rouge community. Nola served food to the homeless at Thanksgiving, and he volunteered at the Baton Rouge Food Bank. Nola and his teammates took part in the ceremony marking the opening of the Miracle League, a non-competitive offering for children with physical or mental disabilities. The Tigers attended the ceremony and played a game with the children on a specialized field that provides a safe and fun program in which players can hit, run and catch.
Matt Smith, Ole Miss
Smith has participated in the “Reading with the Rebels” program to read to children at local elementary schools and was also a part of the Dash for Hash 5k run to help raise funds for injured teammate Taylor Hashman in the fall of 2010. He has participated in the Rebel Re-Run program to collect athletic shoes for youth in Africa. Smith has been active in the “SEC Together We Can” Food Drive to help stock local food pantries. He hosted a Pitch, Hit And Run baseball clinic for local youth and has also made visits to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis.
Caleb Reed, Mississippi State
Read to students at Starkville’s Sudduth Elementary School during last fall’s Bully’s Book Blitz, an MSU M-Club-sponsored program designed to encourage reading among local school children…Participated in the SAAC and M-Club’s Thanksgiving canned food drives, collecting and distributing canned food items for distribution to local families in need…Served as a speaker during the program portion of Boy Scout Day at Dudy Noble Field….Popular guest speaker at church youth group meetings in Starkville and other nearby communities…Taken a leadership role as baseball’s representative on the Mississippi State Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC).
Jackie Bradley Jr., South Carolina
Participated and helped collect cans at SEC Canned Food Drive … Spoke to students at E.L Wright Middle School … Helped with kids at Jr. Gamecock Club Halloween Party … Participated and spoke at Dentsville Skeeters Meet and Greet.
Steven Gruver, Tennessee
Visited sick children at the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital…Helped serve hot meal for homeless at Knox Area Rescue Mission Holiday Dinner…Joined team to help build home with Habitat for Humanity…Helped baseball team raise over $5,000 in support of research into the treatment and prevention of cancer at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk…Participated in the Tennessee Donor Thank-a-thon…Served as the baseball team’s representative on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
Drew Fann, Vanderbilt
Has participated in the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital Safety Event, Walk to Defeat ALS, Vanderbilt Baseball Canned Food Drive and the Eakin Elementary Mentoring Program. He is a member of the 2010 SEC Community Service Team, the SEC Academic Honor Roll, the Vanderbilt Honor Roll and a member of the Dean’s List at VU.
