Feb. 28, 2012

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina senior Courtney Newton was named to the SEC Women’s Basketball Community Service Team, the league announced today. While an active part of the team’s commitment to service, Newton stands out as a student-athlete who sought out additional individual opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others.

Newton’s list of individual projects is highlighted by her effort in the Girls on the Run program at Epworth Children’s Home. Meeting weekly with the group from February through April, Newton helps the participants train for a local 5K race while also working with them on activities to build self-esteem, understand the importance of teamwork and feel a sense of community. Through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Newton has been an active participant in camps and guest speaking roles. This season, she instituted a team Bible study for women’s basketball as well. As part of her graduate program, Newton worked with H.B. Rhame Elementary and added to her mandated responsibilities being the program coordinator for the Read with the Gamecocks Program.

As president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Newton also helped organize service projects that the entire athletics department could perform. With her teammates, she participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, adopted five families in need at Christmas, helped feed the homeless through First Baptist Church at Thanksgiving and participated in various basketball outreach programs and clinics throughout Columbia.

In its continuing effort to recognize the accomplishments of student-athletes beyond the field of competitions, the SEC named its Community Service Team for women’s basketball for the 14th season. All 20 league-sponsored sports have had a Community Service Team since 2004, with at-large teams for men’s and women’s sports being chosen from 1999 to 2003.

SEC Community Service Team for Women’s Basketball
Ericka Russell, Alabama
Julie Inman, Arkansas
Blance Alverson, Auburn
Kayla Lewis, Florida
Jasmine James, Georgia
Kayla Snowden, Kentucky
LaSondra Barrett, LSU
Nikki Byrd, Ole Miss
Brittany Young, Mississippi State
Courtney Newton, South Carolina
Glory Johnson, Tennessee
Tiffany Clarke, Vanderbilt