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Groth, Simmons Named Auburn’s Brad Davis SEC Community Service Award Winners
AUBURN, Ala. — In a celebration of character, compassion, and commitment to serving others, Auburn University student-athletes Katie Groth and Matthew Simmons have been named recipients of the prestigious Brad Davis SEC Community Service Award. Representing the very best of the Auburn Tigers’ tradition both on and off the field, Groth and Simmons embody the core values that define servant leadership, academic excellence, and the transformative power of sports.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) annually honors one male and one female student-athlete from each of its member institutions who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to community service. The award, named in memory of former SEC Associate Commissioner Brad Davis, underscores the importance of giving back to others and highlights those who have gone above and beyond in impacting their communities.
For Auburn, the selection of Groth and Simmons is a fitting tribute to two individuals who have spent their collegiate careers not only achieving athletic and academic excellence but also leading impactful service initiatives and outreach programs.
Before diving into the stories of Groth and Simmons, it’s important to understand the legacy they are now part of.
The Brad Davis SEC Community Service Award was created in honor of Brad Davis, who served the SEC with distinction for 14 years and passed away in 2006. Davis was known for his passionate support of student-athletes and his steadfast belief in education, community, and personal integrity. The award named in his memory is one of the most meaningful honors a student-athlete in the SEC can receive.
Each university within the conference nominates one male and one female recipient annually. From that pool of honorees, one male and one female are selected as overall winners, each receiving a $10,000 post-graduate scholarship, while all school-level winners receive a $5,000 post-graduate scholarship provided by the SEC.
These awards aren’t just about community service hours or participation—they’re about impact, authenticity, and sustained commitment to making the world a better place. This year, Auburn’s selections of Katie Groth and Matthew Simmons echo those values loud and clear.
A standout defender for the Auburn women’s soccer team, Katie Groth has long viewed her platform as more than a means of athletic expression. A communications major with a minor in women’s studies, Groth has been instrumental in numerous community engagement programs throughout her time on The Plains.
One of Groth’s most visible and lasting contributions to the Auburn community has been her work with Girls on the Run, a nonprofit that inspires young girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.
Groth served as both a coach and mentor in the program, helping elementary and middle school girls build self-esteem, resilience, and goal-setting habits. She also regularly hosted soccer clinics for local youth in underserved communities, often working directly with children from Title I schools.
“Being part of Girls on the Run was one of the most meaningful parts of my Auburn journey,” Groth said. “It’s not just about fitness or sports—it’s about showing young girls they are powerful, capable, and have a voice that matters.”
As a member of Auburn’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Groth also took on leadership roles within the SEC’s “Together We Will” campaign, aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. She helped organize forums for student-athletes and led voter registration drives on campus.
Groth’s coaches and teammates frequently highlight her servant-leader attitude. “Katie has always been about lifting others,” said Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa. “She competes with heart, but she serves with even more of it. Her impact will outlast her time on the field.”
On the men’s side, cross country runner and engineering major Matthew Simmons has earned the respect of the Auburn community for his tireless volunteer work, academic achievements, and mentorship initiatives that extend far beyond the track.
Simmons has distinguished himself not only as a distance runner but as a changemaker in the engineering and STEM communities. Passionate about creating educational access, he founded STEM Reach, a tutoring and mentoring initiative designed to help high school students from rural Alabama gain exposure to math, science, and engineering fields.
Through STEM Reach, Simmons led weekend workshops, created online resources, and partnered with local schools to provide equipment and learning kits for students. He even worked with Auburn’s College of Engineering to set up campus tours and mentorship meet-ups for aspiring young engineers.
“I know what it feels like to not have someone to look up to in a particular field,” Simmons said. “I wanted to change that for others. Sometimes it just takes one conversation, one connection, to make a student believe that engineering is for them.”
Simmons has also been deeply involved in Habitat for Humanity, Campus Kitchens, and Be The Match, organizing bone marrow donor registration drives on campus. He regularly spent weekends helping build homes and deliver meals to those in need in the Auburn-Opelika area.
He was recently named a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship and serves as president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Auburn, where he leads Bible studies and faith-based service events.
“Matt is one of those rare people who sees a need and acts on it—without fanfare, without waiting for permission,” said Auburn cross country coach Aaron Kent. “He leads by example and cares deeply about others. He’s a role model in every sense.”
The recognition of Groth and Simmons speaks volumes about Auburn University’s culture of developing well-rounded student-athletes. The athletic department’s commitment to community engagement and academic support ensures that Tigers aren’t just prepared to compete—they’re prepared to contribute.
Auburn Athletics has long emphasized its “Develop the Whole Person” philosophy. Through TigerLife, SAAC, and community initiatives, student-athletes are given the structure and encouragement to explore life beyond their sport.
“This is a proud moment for Auburn,” said Athletics Director John Cohen. “Katie and Matt have shown what it means to be a student-athlete at Auburn. They’ve used their time here to give back, to lead, and to build a legacy of service.”
Being named Auburn’s Brad Davis Award recipients also puts Groth and Simmons in elite company. Previous winners have gone on to earn national scholarships, attend medical and law schools, start nonprofits, and serve their communities in lasting ways.
The award doesn’t just honor what these student-athletes have done—it invests in what they will become. With each recipient receiving a $5,000 scholarship for postgraduate study, the SEC is ensuring that the values Groth and Simmons exemplify are further amplified in the future.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey emphasized the weight of the award during the announcement. “Our student-athletes are more than just competitors; they are future leaders, educators, advocates, and trailblazers,” Sankey said. “Katie and Matt are wonderful examples of how athletic platforms can be used to build bridges and uplift communities.”
Groth plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in public policy or advocacy, with a special focus on gender equity and education access. Simmons intends to pursue a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering, with hopes of developing affordable medical devices for rural clinics in underserved countries.
“I’m incredibly honored to receive this award, but the real reward is the relationships I’ve built and the people I’ve had the chance to serve,” Groth said.
Simmons echoed a similar sentiment: “This award doesn’t mark the end of something—it reminds me of what I’m called to continue.”
In an era where the spotlight often focuses on statistics, NIL deals, and draft projections, the stories of Katie Groth and Matthew Simmons serve as a much-needed reminder of the deeper purpose behind college athletics. Through their acts of service, empathy, and leadership, they remind us all that true greatness lies not in personal accolades, but in the lives we touch along the way.
As Auburn fans celebrate their on-field accomplishments, they can be even prouder of who Groth and Simmons are when the cameras are off and the stadiums are empty. They are Auburn men and women in every sense—leaders of character, champions of community, and trailblazers for what student-athletes can and should be.
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