University of Tennessee Athletics
Abernathy Named To SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Council
January 17, 2017 | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Tennessee rising junior defensive back Micah Abernathy is one of 14 Southeastern Conference student-athletes who have been selected to represent their team and institution as a member of the first SEC Football Student-Athlete Leadership Council. The Council consists of one representative from each SEC institution, and the group will hold its first meeting at SEC headquarters in Birmingham Feb. 4.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey introduced new Student-Athlete Leadership Councils in 2016 for the sports of football and men's and women's basketball in which, in addition to the conference's longstanding Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), provide student-athletes with additional opportunities to engage with campus leaders and conference office staff.
The SEC Men's and Women's Basketball Leadership Council held its meeting in September, while the SEC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) gathered in Birmingham in July. The SAAC group recently participated in a career exploration tour in Atlanta during the week of the SEC Football Championship Game.
The councils serve as a conduit of communication to the conference office on issues related to student-athlete experience and student-athlete wellness. The groups also provide feedback on proposed rules governing the SEC and NCAA.
Abernathy is coming off a breakout sophomore season in which he ranked second on the team with 69 tackles (52 solo), led the team with three fumbles recovered and tied for the team lead with two interceptions and six passes defended. He played in 12 games, making 10 starts at safety. Abernathy earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 12 when he set a UT record with three fumbles recovered in the Vols win over Virginia Tech.
In October, Abernathy authored a piece for The Players' Tribune sharing what it means to him to carry his proud family name. He is the son of the late Georgia State Senator Ralph David Abernathy III. Abernathy's grandfather, Ralph David Abernathy, was a key civil rights leader and close advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
SEC Football Student-Athlete Leadership Council
Alabama: Christian Miller
Arkansas: Rawleigh Williams
Auburn: Marcus Davis
Florida: Martez Ivey,
Georgia: Aaron Davis
Kentucky: Greg Hart
LSU: Danny Etling
Ole Miss: Shea Patterson
Mississippi State: Gerri Green
Missouri: Nate Brown
South Carolina: Bryson Allen-Williams
TENNESSEE: Micah Abernathy
Texas A&M: Christian Kirk
Vanderbilt: Ralph Webb
