South Carolina’s Oscar Adaway III appointed to SEC Football and SAAC Leadership Councils

In a significant development for the SEC, four student-athletes from member schools have been appointed as the new leaders of the SEC Football and Student-Athlete Advisory Councils, giving a stronger voice to student-athletes in the conference.

South Carolina’s Oscar Adaway III and Vanderbilt’s Bryan Longwell have been selected as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively, of the SEC Football Leadership Council. On the other hand, Barry Evans from Alabama and Ethan Doehler of Texas will serve as Chair and Vice Chair of the SEC Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC).

Adaway, a native of North Little Rock, Arkansas, had an impressive season last year, appearing in 13 games for the Gamecocks and securing two starts. Notably, he scored a 36-yard touchdown during the Citrus Bowl against Illinois. This marks his first year on the SEC Football Leadership Council.

Longwell, hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, is entering his second year on the SEC Football Leadership Council. Last season, he played all 13 games for Vanderbilt, leading the team with 89 tackles.

Evans, a sophomore from Mascoutah, Illinois, is returning as SAAC Chair for a second consecutive year. He was active last year, attending SEC Spring Meetings and representing the conference at the NCAA Convention earlier this year. Evans is a key member of Alabama’s nationally-ranked track and field team.

Doehler, a junior from San Antonio, Texas, is a standout member of the top-ranked Texas swimming and diving team. He has been recognized on the CSCAA Scholar All-America Team and has earned a spot on the Big 12 Academic Honor Roll.

These appointments mark a critical moment for the SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Councils, which serve as an essential platform for student-athletes to collaborate with campus leaders and conference staff. With councils focused on football, men’s and women’s basketball, and SAAC, they will play a crucial role in addressing key issues surrounding student-athlete wellness, playing rules, and overall representation.

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Paul Mainieri Optimistic About Close Wins to Begin South Carolina Baseball Season

South Carolina’s head coach Paul Mainieri is feeling positive about the Gamecocks’ early challenges on the field. Though the team remains undefeated, their performance hasn’t been flawless. The Gamecocks had a close call against Winthrop, which left some fans scratching their heads, even after dominating Sacred Heart in the season opener. But for Mainieri, the tight game is no cause for concern. He values these gritty victories, a perspective he’s held for years thanks to advice from his father.

“I remember my dad vividly saying to me on the phone, ‘Hey, don’t ever be upset about winning close games, because you’re better off having those kinds of games. Your team will grow from it. They’ll learn how to be composed and poised at the end of the game. Down the road when they need to win that close game against a really tough opponent, they’ll have been there and done that, and that makes their confidence even that much better,’” Mainieri reflected.

The Gamecocks aren’t alone in facing tough matchups. Even the no. 8 Georgia Bulldogs experienced struggles, losing to UNC Wilmington on Sunday, only to later pull off a dramatic 9th-inning comeback against Kennesaw State. Not every team, however, has had the dominance displayed by Tennessee, who easily handled both Hofstra and UNC Asheville with lopsided victories.

Looking ahead, the Gamecocks are aiming to continue their perfect streak, with a weekend series against the Milwaukee Panthers on the horizon as they strive for a 6-0 record.