The SEC Community Service Postgraduate Scholarship is named for former Associate Commissioner Brad Davis. Davis succumbed to cancer on March 2, 2006. He had been an SEC staff member since 1988, initially serving as an assistant commissioner until being promoted to assistant commissioner in 1994.
As winners of the award, Cross and Morrissett will receive a $5,000 postgraduate stipend provided by the SEC. Both nominees also compete for the Brad Davis Community Service Leaders of the Year award for both men and women, with each selection receiving a $10,000 postgraduate scholarship.
Cross, a three-time SEC Honor Roll recipient, two-time All-American Scholar recipient, two-time SEC Community Service selection, and 2020 PING All-America Honorable Mention, was a member of the 2018-19 class of VOLeaders Academy and has throughout his college career a total of 66 hours of community service.
Cross was recently named one of five finalists for the 2022 Byron Nelson Award, presented annually to the Division I, II, III or NAIA scholar-athlete of the year. The recipient, a graduating senior, is recognized for their achievements in the classroom, on the course, and in their community.
On the court, Cross has been the most consistent force in Tennessee’s lineup this season. He finished the regular season fourth in the SEC and first on the team in batting average — a mark that now stands at 69.59 after the SEC championships.
The Sevierville native ended the regular season with his first career collegiate singles title at the Lewis Chitengwa Memorial in Charlottesville, Virginia, followed by a tied fifth in the stroke play portion of the SEC championships. Cross has been Tennessee’s top finisher in the past five tournaments.
A four-time SEC Honor Roll recipient and three-time member of the Big 12 Academic All-Conference, Morrissett clocked up an amazing 333 hours of community service during her five years at UT. She has spent the majority of her hours with the FUTURE program and the Koinonia Foundation.
The Atoka, Tenn. native boasts All-America second-team recognition and honors from the 2021 Big 12 All-Conference and is a member of the Tennessee Rowing varsity-eight boat with four top-20 victories has a 16-6 record on the season. The group has earned four Big 12 Boat of the Week awards this season, doubling the number of weekly awards UT has won since attending the conference in 2015.
The boat won its fourth conference honor after posting a 7-2 record with two top 20 wins during the Big Ten Invitational and the No. 12 Virginia, No. 20 Indiana, Dartmouth, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota and Wisconsin had defeated. Morrissett and the Lady Vols have been ranked in the Pocock Coaches Poll every week this season.
Brad Davis SEC Community Service Award Winners 2021-22:
- Griffin James, Gymnastics, Alabama
- Parisian Peoples, Athletics, Arkansas
- Allie Riddle, Gymnastics, Auburn
- Bettina Boszormenyi, Swimming & Diving, Florida
- Miller Lantis, Equestrian, Georgia
- Riley Gaines, Swimming and Diving, Kentucky
- Shelbi Sunseri, softball, LSU
- Mimi ReidBasketballOle Miss
- Ashley Melcherts, Athletics, State of Mississippi
- Ellie Wright, Tennis, Missouri
- Briana Reckling, Athletics, South Carolina
- Lindsey MorrisettRowing, Tennessee
- Rhian Murphy, Equestrian, Texas A&M
- Abby Burke, Swimming & Diving, Vanderbilt
2021-22 Male Brad Davis SEC Community Service Award Winner:
- Patrick Kaukovalta, Tennis, Alabama
- Joshua Bortnick, Tennis, Arkansas
- Conner Pruitt, Swimming & Diving, Auburn
- Anthony Duruji, basketball, Fla
- Keegan Walsh, Swimming & Diving, Georgia
- Mason Hazelwood, Baseball, Kentucky
- Nick Watson, Tennis, LSU
- Ben Savino, Athletics, Ole Miss
- Jaylon Reed, Soccer, State of Mississippi
- Dawson Downing, Soccer, Missouri
- David Olds, Athletics, South Carolina
- Spencer CrossGulf, Tennessee
- Rody Barker, Baseball, Texas A&M
- Lucas Mowery, Athletics, Vanderbilt
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