Gabi Barrera (track & field/cross country) and Zach Schmit (football) from the University of Oklahoma have been named the male and female Brad Davis Community Service Award winners for the 2024-2025 academic year, as announced by the Southeastern Conference (SEC) on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
This prestigious award is given annually to one male and one female student-athlete from each SEC member institution who have excelled in the areas of community service, leadership, and academics. Barrera and Schmit are among 32 student-athletes honored by the conference.
Gabi Barrera:
* A senior on the OU track & field and cross country teams.
* Will graduate this weekend with a degree in psychology.
* Her dedication to community service has made a significant impact during her time at Oklahoma.
Zach Schmit:
* A redshirt senior on the OU football team last fall.
* Graduated in May 2024 with a degree in chemical engineering.
* Served as the Sooners’ starting kicker for 2 1/2 years.
* Demonstrated a strong commitment to service throughout his career.
As recipients of the Brad Davis Community Service Award, Barrera and Schmit will each receive a $7,500 post-graduate scholarship from the SEC. They are also nominated for the Male and Female Brad Davis Community Service Leaders of the Year awards, which will be announced later in May. The two individuals selected as the league-wide leaders will each receive a $15,000 post-graduate scholarship.
The SEC Community Service Post-Graduate Scholarship is named in honor of the late Brad Davis, who served as the SEC Associate Commissioner until his passing in 2006. Davis was a dedicated member of the SEC staff who championed the spirit of service within the conference.
The University of Oklahoma and its athletic programs actively encourage and facilitate community service initiatives for their student-athletes. These efforts aim to instill a sense of civic responsibility and provide opportunities for students to make a positive impact on the local and broader community. Examples of community engagement by Oklahoma student-athletes include volunteering with organizations such as the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank, Boys and Girls Club of OKC, Habitat for Humanity, and participating in programs like the Sooner Jr. F.A.N.S., which brings student-athletes to schools to promote fitness, academics, nutrition, and sportsmanship.
