McLeod, Podojil earn Brad Davis SEC Community Service award
FAYETTEVILLE – A pair of Arkansas Razorbacks named Brad Davis SEC Community Service Award winners for 2024 are Jacob McLeod from track and field as well as Ellie Podojil from soccer, who will each receive a $5,000 post-graduate scholarship provided by the SEC.
The Southeastern Conference has announced the male and female Brad Davis Community Service Award Winners for each of its 14 member institutions. The school award winners are nominees for the Male and Female Brad Davis Community Service Leaders of the Year which will be announced later in May.
The male and female Community Service Leaders of the Year will each receive a $10,000 post-graduate scholarship, provided by the SEC.
McLeod, from Soperton, Georgia, has been part of three Razorback cross country teams that finished fourth in team scoring at the NCAA Championships. He has also been part of seven SEC Championship teams – three in cross country, three during outdoor, and one indoor.
In addition to serving as a SAAC representative, McLeod’s community service projects include Halloween Trunk or Treat at Arvest Ballpark, Potter’s House, shop with the Razorbacks, high school meet volunteer, and the Razorback canned food drive.
A career best of 13.39.50 for the indoor 5,000m ranks McLeod No. 9 on the UA all-time list. His career best of 28:28.73 in the 10,000m also ranks No. 9 on the UA all-time list.
Podojil, a mainstay in Arkansas’ defensive third the last few seasons, recently wrapped up her career with the Hogs. She is a two-time All-SEC selection, three-time SEC champion and a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region team member.
Off the pitch, Podojil received multiple academic accolades and remains active in the Northwest Arkansas community. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native served with McLeod on SAAC and led service activities for the soccer team.
Podojil has organized and attended multiple outings to local community outreach organizations including Potter’s House, the Squire Outreach Center, and the Seven Hills Homeless Shelter. She is also active in local elementary schools, serving as a lunch buddy for local third graders.
The SEC Community Service Post-Graduate Scholarship is named for former Associate Commissioner Brad Davis, who succumbed to cancer on March 2, 2006. He had been a member of the SEC staff since 1988, first serving as an assistant commissioner until 1994 when he was promoted to associate commissioner.
