Cory Luckie is busy with baseball practices, the biomedical sciences curriculum and sorting through potential medical schools. Despite a hectic schedule, he makes time to give back to the Auburn community.
Junior pitcher Luckie said players visit Little League practices not to instruct, but to show support for young, ambitious baseball players.
"The kids just love older baseball players who play for a college team," Luckie said. "They just love being around older guys, and we love it, too, because we feel like we've actually done something. It's not about instruction: It's about making an impact on a child's life."
Luckie, who was voted SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, said giving back to the community is part of being a member of the Auburn family.
"It is so important, but it's a cliche," Luckie said. "Everyone says that Auburn is all about family, but I think the reason that is, is because student-athletes are so able to be able to go into the community."
Volunteering within the community not only boosts fan morale and community support, but also gives athletes a sense of accomplishment.
"It's a very good feeling knowing that you made an impact on someone's life, whether it be for five minutes or whether it be for an hour," Luckie said.
Senior basketball player Alli Smalley enjoys giving back to the community by going to Storybook Farm and volunteering with children.
"It's just a really cool place and a cool experience for us--just getting to play with all the kids that are there--and it's a cool environment with it being outdoors with the fields and animals," Smalley said.
Local volunteering benefits both athletes and the communities in which they live.
"It's good for the fans to see us out in the community giving back to them because the support they give to us is huge," Smalley said. "And we always want to give back to them and show our appreciation."
Smalley said the Auburn family mentality is essential to her as well.
"It has a lot to do with the Auburn family," Smalley said. "It should be a pride thing with everybody, that you should want to give back to the community because everyone loves Auburn and loves Auburn athletics and the community as a whole, and so we should support the Auburn family in that way."
Senior running back Mario Fannin said he enjoys volunteering at elementary schools and The Boys and Girls Club.
"I love kids, playing with them, interacting with them and just learning more about them and being a role model," Fannin said. Being a role model is something that Fannin takes seriously, and he said he is constantly wary of how his actions may be perceived by a younger audience.
"You're a major influence, especially in Auburn, being a football player or an athlete, period," Fannin said. "You have a lot of little kids that look up to you and see you on TV, and you just want to be able to be perceived as a great role model.
"You don't want to set the wrong kind of image for a kid to look up to."
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