Auburn men’s tennis senior Thomas Kennedy and Auburn women’s tennis senior Angella Okutoyi were named to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Community Service Teams, according to an announcement on Apr. 9 by the conference office.
The recognition highlights the community involvement of student-athletes who have made notable contributions outside of their athletic achievements. The SEC Community Service Team honor is given annually to those who demonstrate leadership and commitment through service projects.
This is Kennedy’s first time receiving this distinction, while Okutoyi has now been honored for a second consecutive season. Kennedy participated in several service activities during the year, including his role as a connect leader with Auburn’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council. In this position, he mentors freshman student-athletes as they transition into college life.
Kennedy also volunteered as an instructor at a clinic for DreamCourt, a non-profit organization that offers adaptive tennis programs for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, he helped run a kids’ clinic following an Auburn home match at Yarbrough Tennis Center, where he taught children basic tennis skills on competition courts.
Okutoyi has contributed to her community in Nairobi, Kenya by regularly hosting free tennis clinics for local children and providing free tennis clothing to underprivileged youth. Her efforts aim to promote the sport among young people in her hometown.
The selection of Kennedy and Okutoyi reflects ongoing efforts within collegiate athletics to encourage student-athletes’ engagement in meaningful service projects both locally and internationally.
