Title: Champions Beyond the Game: Georgia’s New Voices of Leadership
The University of Georgia celebrated a major milestone this week as five of its most exceptional student-athletes were selected to represent the Bulldogs on the 2025 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Student-Athlete Leadership Council. This recognition, though rooted in fact, tells a deeper fictional story — not only of athletic excellence but of the character, vision, and fire that burns within each chosen athlete.
Headlining the group is Mariah Thomas, a senior track and field sprinter known across the SEC for her record-breaking 200m time and her unwavering voice in advocating for mental health resources. Hailing from Savannah, Mariah’s journey has been one of resilience. After losing her mother in her freshman year, she turned grief into action, founding “Stronger Together,” a student-led wellness initiative now adopted across all UGA athletics programs.
Joining her is Jaylen Pierce, a junior linebacker whose imposing 6’3” frame is matched only by his intellect. Majoring in Political Science with a 3.9 GPA, Jaylen has already interned with the Georgia State Legislature and aspires to one day reform NIL policy to better protect collegiate athletes. At the council’s opening session in Birmingham, he electrified the room with a speech titled “From Field to Future: Our Voice Matters.”
Aria Vasquez, a sophomore on the women’s soccer team, might be the quietest of the five—but underestimate her at your own risk. A first-generation college student from rural Habersham County, Aria has been a silent force in both sport and service. Her recent petition for equal training facilities for female athletes gained over 15,000 signatures, sparking a Title IX audit across SEC campuses. When she spoke during the council’s gender equity roundtable, her words drew nods from administrators and applause from fellow athletes.
Also selected is Cameron “Cam” Ford, a redshirt junior and standout pitcher for the Bulldogs’ baseball team. Cam’s leadership is well-known in the locker room and beyond. During the 2024 tornado outbreak that devastated parts of Alabama and Georgia, he organized a team-led relief effort that provided over 10,000 meals and supplies. On the council, Cam has pledged to create a disaster response blueprint that can be activated by SEC schools in times of crisis.
Rounding out the elite five is Tiana Rhodes, a senior gymnast whose viral routines have lit up social media. But Tiana’s impact extends beyond the mat. She is a double major in Sports Management and Public Health and serves as the founder of “Fuel Her Fire,” a mentorship program for young girls of color in Georgia who dream of competing in NCAA gymnastics. Her passion project has already helped secure scholarships for 13 middle and high school athletes.
Together, these five Bulldogs bring not just their voices, but their visions, to the SEC Leadership Council. In a league defined by grit and greatness, they now serve as living proof that true leadership is forged through purpose, adversity, and a relentless drive to uplift others. Their selection isn’t just an honor for Georgia — it’s a resounding statement that champions aren’t only made in stadiums, but in the moments where courage meets conviction.
