March 12, 2014

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky sophomore gymnast Tiara Phipps was named to the 2014 SEC Gymnastics Community Service Team, the league announced Wednesday. It is Phipps’ first Community Service Team honor.

“Tiara is a great representative of our program, and I’m proud of her hard work and dedication,” UK head coach Tim Garrison said. “She is a tireless worker both academically and athletically and does a great job in the community. Her community service work, especially this past summer’s mission trip to Ethiopia, have been great experiences and we are proud of her contributions and being able to represent UK and our team.”

The SEC Community Service Teams highlight an athlete from each school who gives back to his or her community in superior service efforts. The conference sponsors Community Service Teams for all league sports.

Phipps’ community service work is highlighted by a mission trip with 10 other UK student-athletes to Ethiopia last summer. During the week-long trip, they repainted schools, helped build houses, supplied families with mosquito nets along with interacting with several communities.

The San Antonio, Texas, native also has volunteered with Hope for Haiti, packed meals at Southland Christian Church, assisted with the UK Blanked Project and packed backpacks for the Back Pack Program this season.

For complete news and updates on the Kentucky Gymnastics program, go to UKathletics.com. Breaking news, behind-the-scenes updates, photos and more can be found on Twitter at @UKGymnastics and Facebook at Facebook.com/UKGymnastics.