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PAGE 7 April 2026 E-Edition
Talladega Infield Camping Sold Out
In a continuing effort to recognize the accomplishments of student-athletes beyond the field of competition, the SEC recently highlighted a Community Service Team for men's basketball for the 2025-26 season. This marks the 28th year for the SEC Community Service Team for men's basketball as well as for women's basketball. All 22 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 1999-2003. The SEC began this concept with a football Community Service Team in 1994. Houston Mallette, Alabama Since arriving to Tuscaloosa last season, Houston Mallette has been a staple within the community, participating in numerous events on campus and throughout Tuscaloosa. Within the Tuscaloosa community, Houston has held a basketball camp at Tuscaloosa Academy and has worked with the local fire department, visiting firefighter stations to hand out hydration packs. On campus, Houston participated in Alabama Athletics annual Halloween Extravaganza and was a part of Operation Christmas Child during the holiday season. Prior to the season, Houston went to the SEC Spring meetings, serving as the men’s basketball chair of the leadership council. Houston was also invited to Washington, D.C. to speak to Congress about NIL in the current college landscape. Amere Brown, Arkansas Amere Brown’s big personality has made him a fan favorite and a favorite when he participates in local events. He participated in Coach Cal’s Women’s Basketball Camp and Coach Cal’s “Be a Razorback for a Day.” He was active at the “Suits and Sneakers Gala,” which raised money for the American Cancer Society. Over Christmas break, he returned home for his Always Believe Basketball Camp, which he runs with Razorback teammate Meleek Thomas. When he came back to Fayetteville during the break, Brown contributed not only his time but money … as well his voice in leading Christmas carols … at Coach Cal’s Christmas, which provided rent money, food and presents for 10-15 families. When Arkansas played at Memphis in an exhibition game, Brown was a big hit with patients during a visit to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Emeka Opurum, Auburn In his first season at Auburn, Emeka Opurum has emersed himself into the Tiger community with multiple service opportunities, which includes volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, along with speaking to local sports club and to multiple elementary schools in the Auburn area. Despite suffering a season-ending injury during his first season of Division I basketball, Emeka has stay involved by impacting his teammates and the Auburn community off the court. Rueben Chinyelu, Florida Rueben Chinyelu stays connected with his community back home, collecting shoes to send to kids in Nigeria. His story and his efforts, which were highlighted in a recent ESPN College GameDay feature, inspired the show to donate more shoes to his cause and resulted in fans reaching out on social media to ask how they could also contribute. In Gainesville, he participates in UF's Climb for Cancer event to provide a day of athletically-related fun for kids battling cancer or in remission. Marcus “Smurf” Millender, Georgia Marcus “Smurf” Millender has made an impact on the Athens and UGA communities since arriving on campus last summer. He has taken on a leading role in Georgia Basketball’s association with Beck Cammarata, a TEAM IMPACT member of the program. Cammarata is a 15-year-old from nearby Winder, Ga., who is battling Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Team IMPACT, a national non-profit organization, has developed a unique multi-year program that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams across the country. Millender also took part in Georgia Basketball’s “Shop with a Bulldog” program around the December holidays which provides gifts to deserving local youth through the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Athens. Millender visited PE and Health classes at the Athens Alternative School, which is designed to re-engage students who have faced various challenges in their pursuit of an education. Malachi Moreno, Kentucky Malachi Moreno continually makes time for his community and has partnered with organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House, UK Children’s Hospital, Lexington Rescue Mission and the Woodhill Community Center for a multitude of service-oriented activities including hospital visits, basketball clinics, donor interaction and more. He was also a part of the team’s service efforts in London, Kentucky this past summer, where he aided with tornado relief and cleanup while also hosting a free youth basketball camp in the affected community. Prior to his time at the University of Kentucky, Moreno made a lasting impact in his hometown of Georgetown, Kentucky and at his high school, Great Crossing, where he joined the school’s adaptive PE class, designed to accommodate students with disabilities, fostering meaningful relationships with his fellow classmates. The freshman always makes time to say hello to everyone in the room and has gone above and beyond to make an impact outside of basketball. Jalen Reed, LSU Jalen Reed has always been one to spend time in the community, including the annual Halloween Boozar. He has spent time with local basketball youth leagues at the Baton Rouge Sportsplex, helping to coach youth … Despite injuries he has been able to work with the local Baton Rouge Recreation group on activities for children and also the MLK Day of Service activity that BRECE and LSU’s athletic student-life group combined on. He also was part of the Tiger Athletic Foundation Day of Thanks to various donors and people who support LSU Athletics. Zach Day, Ole Miss Zach Day has been involved with an athletic department-wide initiative called Adopt A Basket, where student-athletes help donate over 100 baskets of food and more to families in need during Thanksgiving throughout the Lafayette, Oxford, and University community to ensure families enjoy the holiday. He has participated in “Feed The Sip,” a food sustainability project within the Stronger Together MS Initiative, assisting in the collection and donation of non-perishable food items that benefit elementary students within the Tunica and Quitman counties. Zach and other members of the Ole Miss men’s basketball team assisted with the collection of over 14,000 items annually. During the holiday season, Zach helped with the CASA Christmas event, where he and members of the team supported children through the CASA of North Mississippi organization. The team helped provide Christmas gifts for a number of families to help support them through the holiday season. The Talladega Superspeedway Infield RV Camping is officially sold out for the April NASCAR race. “Infield camping at Talladega is one of the most sought-after fan experiences every NASCAR season,” said Josh Harris, Region President, Talladega Superspeedway and Darlington Raceway. “With this new Glamping offering, fans will have another camping choice to experience our legendary infield, with their campsite just steps away from the on-track action and unmatched energy at the famed Talladega Superspeedway.” At the time of the news release, fans could still get in on the action with grandstand tickets, outside camping and Glamping. Glamping offers an exciting new way to experience the iconic Talladega Infield, located inside the infield road course. The Glamping area is a private community area with different accommodation options, top- tier amenities, and a common area to relax and meet your neighbors. The amenities included with Glamping are unmatched with restrooms and showers reserved only for Glamping guests, power in each tent, in-area Wi-Fi, concierge service and a light breakfast served Thursday through Sunday. This package also includes Talladega Garage Experience and infield access and parking to ensure a smooth experience at Talladega Superspeedway as well as admission to the Friday night program and Saturday Night Concert. The spring race weekend action at Talladega kicks off on Saturday, April 25, with a doubleheader. The ARCA Menards Series will hit the track in the Alabama Manufactured Housing 200 a 12:30 p.m. ET followed by the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Ag-Pro 300 at 4:00 p.m. ET. On Sunday, April 26, the NASCAR Cup Series stars will duke it out during the Jack Link’s 500 to close out the weekend at 3:00 p.m. ET. For ticketing info and more details visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.
File Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, (Gadsden Times)
2026 SEC Men's Basketball Community Service Team Josh Hubbard, Mississippi State
Josh Hubbard has used his platform and his resources through Name Image Likeness in numerous community efforts. He founded The Josh Hubbard Showcase, a basketball camp which has hosted around 200 aspiring athletes in his hometown of Madison, Mississippi and awarded approximately $40,000 in scholarship money over the last two April’s. Hubbard has partnered with Make A Wish Mississippi in 2025-26 where he has launched the “Buckets for Wishes” campaign where every three-point shot he makes results in donations from sponsors and donors, directly funding wishes for children in Mississippi. He has made multiple appearances with the organization and invited multiple children to games during the season. Hubbard spent an afternoon in December 2025 handing out close to 100 gifts he purchased at Children’s of Mississippi Hospital in Jackson, the same hospital where he was a patient for 19 days at 9 years old in September 2014. As a child, he was diagnosed and treated for Kawasaki disease which is a condition causing inflammation in the walls of some blood vessels in the body. Hubbard teamed with his showcase, Aerus, and US Foods for helping provide food and donations to Ballas Family Community Kitchen, which serves 200 meals a day to the Greenwood, Mississippi, community in November 2025. Hubbard worked closely with Delbert Hosemann, the Lieutenant Governor in the State of Mississippi, on a public awareness effort and campaign to reduce rates of chronic absenteeism among school children last spring. Trent Pierce, Missouri Trent Pierce has led the Mizzou men’s basketball program during his time at Mizzou. Among the organizations he has volunteered and worked with in Columbia include Boys & Girls Club, Adopt-a-Family, The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, University of Missouri Children’s Hospital and Veteran’s Hospital. He has also volunteered with a number of campus and clinics in Columbia and worked with children, including at Columbia Public Schools and Blue Ridge Elementary School. Trent Pierce has led the Mizzou men’s basketball program during his time at Mizzou. Among the organizations he has volunteered and worked with in Columbia include Boys & Girls Club, Adopt- a-Family, The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, University of Missouri Children’s Hospital and Veteran’s Hospital. He has also volunteered with a number of campus and clinics in Columbia and worked with children, including at Columbia Public Schools and Blue Ridge Elementary School. Tae Davis, Oklahoma In conjunction with a local church and his township, Tae Davis organized the inaugural “Tae Davis Toy Drive and Community Giving” event at his former high school in Indianapolis this past December. This event focused on distributing toys and bringing joy, hope and holiday cheer to children and families in the community during the Christmas season. Tae has also involved himself in several additional team community service events such as the Norman Juneteenth Festival and youth basketball camps. Myles Stute, South Carolina Myles Stute, a team captain, is in his third and final season as a Gamecock. He leads the team in community service hours with a heavy emphasis on impacting kids in the local community. Stute volunteered at several brunch events for youth where he spoke and mentored kids. He’s made numerous trips to the local Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands over the years in his time with the Gamecocks. Another initiative he took part in was with the Richland Country Recreation Commission where he spent time teaching kids the importance of art and sports. J aylen Carey, Tennessee In his first year at the University of Tennessee, Jaylen Carey has already made an impact on the local community in multiple ways. During the holiday season, Carey hosted a shopping spree for children in Knoxville at Dick’s House of Sport. Each of the 23 kids in attendance, all from the Emerald Youth Foundation, received $300 in goods. Carey also had multiple teammates accompany him to the store to enhance the experience for the children. Additionally, Carey participated in the annual Hoops for Hope event at Farragut High School in advance of the 2025-26 season. He and his teammates helped run a basketball clinic—it featured games, stations, autographs and more—for individuals in the area with Down syndrome, in conjunction with the Down Syndrome Awareness Group of East Tennessee. Carey was actively involved with the participants throughout the afternoon, working to help maximize their experiences. Chendall Weaver, Texas Chendall Weaver has been a consistently active member of the Austin community throughout his three years at The University of Texas. He currently leads the Texas Men’s Basketball team in community service hours during the 2025-26 season. Weaver was active in the university’s Rise to Vote program, assisting with both a voter registration drive and a civic engagement presentation in September. He participated in the city’s Juneteenth Parade celebrating the Emancipation of the Enslaved in both the summer of 2023 and 2024. In addition, he served as a volunteer coach for a Special Olympics day basketball camp in the Austin area. Weaver is on pace to earn his degree later this spring in Physical Culture & Sports. Mackenzie Mgbako, Texas A&M Mackenzie Mgbako has made his presence felt in the Brazos Valley and in his home state of New Jersey. In the Bryan-College Station area, Mgbako partnered with Walmart and the Boys and Girls Club of the Brazos Valley to provide 70 families with Thanksgiving turkeys. He also joined his teammates in shopping for, wrapping and donating Christmas gifts to Still Creek Ranch, a local organization that supports at-risk children. In New Jersey, he teamed up with the South Amboy YMCA, donating toys to all of the children in their SACC program ahead of Christmas. Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt A local product from Brentwood, Tennessee, Tyler Tanner continues to be an impactful member of his hometown community. Tanner launched the Ty Tanner Toy Takeover over the 2025 holiday season. The initiative partnered with a number of foundations across the Nashville area to provide toys and gifts for underprivileged kids in the local community. Tanner has also spent time mentoring youth at several local basketball camps, headlined by the Terry Looper Basketball Camp, a free camp and clinic which provides a positive outlet for kids across the elementary to high school spectrum. Tanner has also served at Vanderbilt Athletics’ Social Impact Day where he and fellow Commodores packed over 10,000 backpacks and 6,000 school supply kits to support Metro Nashville Public Schools and children in need.
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