In the heart of Rocky Top, where traditions run deep and excellence is expected, Jahmai Mashack has consistently proven himself to be more than just an athlete. More than just a student. More than just a Volunteer. He’s the embodiment of the very ideals the University of Tennessee holds dear—integrity, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to others. And now, after years of dedication on and off the court, Jahmai Mashack has received the university’s highest student honor: the Torchbearer Award.
Presented at this week’s Chancellor’s Honors Banquet, the Torchbearer Award is more than a mere accolade. It is a recognition reserved for the best and brightest who have demonstrated extraordinary campus leadership and academic excellence. The award carries with it the legacy of generations of Volunteers who, like Mashack, have carried the torch of service, character, and courage into every aspect of their lives.
Jahmai’s reaction to receiving the award was characteristically humble. He didn’t view it as a culmination of personal achievements but rather as a reflection of the people, principles, and passions that have shaped his journey. “This is not just about me,” Mashack said, his voice steady with purpose. “It’s about what we stand for as Volunteers. It’s about showing up for people, doing the right thing even when no one’s watching, and never taking for granted the platform we’ve been given.”
From his first day on campus, Mashack approached his collegiate career with an uncommon maturity. Known widely as a defensive stalwart for the Tennessee men’s basketball team, he also took the time to lead in the classroom and in the community. Whether it was mentoring local youth, representing student-athletes in university initiatives, or using his voice to advocate for mental health and equity, Mashack never shied away from hard work—especially the kind that didn’t come with accolades or headlines.
What separates Mashack from so many others is his consistent intentionality. He doesn’t lead because it’s expected. He leads because it’s who he is. Coaches and administrators describe him as someone who lights up a room not just with charisma, but with a quiet strength. The kind that inspires those around him to step up and be better. “Jahmai has never just worn the jersey,” said one member of the athletic department. “He’s worn the responsibility of being a Volunteer with a level of grace and courage we rarely see. He’s the kind of person who leaves places better than he found them.”
Mashack’s influence is felt far beyond the hardwood. As a student, he’s excelled academically, earning praise from faculty for his intellectual curiosity and discipline. Professors note his willingness to engage deeply with complex topics and his talent for listening—really listening—to differing perspectives. He’s been a standout in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, where he’s pursued his studies with the same intensity and focus that defines his basketball game.
More than just a scholar or athlete, Jahmai Mashack is a servant leader in the truest sense. His work with various community outreach programs in Knoxville has left an imprint on countless lives. One particularly powerful initiative saw Mashack working closely with underprivileged middle school students, offering tutoring, mentorship, and encouragement at a time when many were struggling with the isolation and academic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. His presence wasn’t just appreciated—it was transformative.
“It’s one thing for a student-athlete to show up,” said a local youth program coordinator. “But Jahmai didn’t just show up. He came early. He stayed late. He asked questions. He cared. He didn’t see these kids as a photo op—he saw them as people. And they knew it.”
Even his teammates see him as more than a peer. To them, he’s a brother, a counselor, and a guide. “Jahmai has this way of making you feel like you matter,” one teammate shared. “When things aren’t going your way, when life off the court is tough, he’s the guy who checks in. Not because he has to, but because that’s who he is. He’s the heart of our team.”
It is fitting, then, that the university chose to honor Mashack with the Torchbearer Award, a symbol rooted in the Volunteer Creed, which states: “One that beareth a torch shadoweth oneself to give light to others.” Jahmai Mashack doesn’t just bear a torch—he is the torch. He illuminates the path for those around him, often without recognition or reward, and he does so with humility and resolve.
At the Chancellor’s Honors Banquet, there was a palpable sense that this moment—this recognition—was about more than one student. It was a celebration of the ideals that Mashack represents and a challenge to the rest of the campus community to follow his lead. As he accepted the award, standing tall in front of a crowd of Tennessee’s most accomplished scholars and leaders, he took a moment to reflect not on his own journey, but on the support system that got him there.
“I stand here because of the love and guidance I’ve received from so many people—my family, my teammates, my professors, my coaches, and the people of this incredible university,” Mashack said. “We’re all in this together. And if I can use my life to serve others, to lift others, then I’ve done my job as a Volunteer.”
His words were not rehearsed. They were raw, sincere, and deeply moving. Attendees of the banquet reported that you could hear a pin drop during his speech. Some were moved to tears. Others, inspired to act. And in that moment, the room seemed to understand something profound: leadership is not about being in the spotlight. It’s about being the one who lights the way for others.
Mashack’s journey is still unfolding. With eligibility remaining and plenty of basketball ahead, he remains a critical piece of Tennessee’s program moving forward. But it’s clear that whatever the future holds, he’s already made his mark in a way few ever do. His time in Knoxville may eventually come to a close, but the legacy he leaves behind—one of service, strength, and compassion—will endure for years to come.
The Torchbearer Award is not simply a line on a résumé or a trophy on a shelf. It is a lifelong responsibility. Those who receive it are expected to continue living out the Volunteer spirit long after they leave campus. And in that regard, Jahmai Mashack has already gone above and beyond. He is, in every sense of the word, the Ultimate Volunteer.
In a college landscape too often dominated by headlines of scandals, transfers, and name-image-likeness battles, Mashack stands apart as a reminder of what college athletics—and college life—can truly be about. He reminds us that being a Volunteer isn’t about wins and losses. It’s about how you show up. How you give. How you lead.
The University of Tennessee has produced countless legends. But few have carried the torch quite like Jahmai Mashack. This week’s honor simply confirms what many in Knoxville have long known: he’s not just one of the good ones—he’s one of the greats.
As the banquet concluded and students filtered out into the cool Knoxville night, there was a sense that something meaningful had just occurred. For those lucky enough to witness it, Jahmai Mashack’s recognition as a Torchbearer wasn’t just a celebration. It was a call to action. A reminder that true leadership is rooted in service. That greatness is measured not in accolades, but in impact. And that, sometimes, the most powerful light comes not from those who seek attention—but from those who simply seek to serve.
Congratulations, Jahmai. You’ve earned this moment. And more importantly, you’ve earned the respect and admiration of an entire Volunteer nation.
Keep carrying that torch. We’re all better for it.