Each year, the Southeastern Conference highlights athletes in all 20 sports who go above and beyond to give back to their community through service.
LSU juniors Keri Frankenberger and Stefan Szacinski were two of 20 athletes recognized on the 2012 SEC Tennis Community Service Team.
Szacinski, who serves as a co-captain on the men’s team, was one of nine male tennis players named to the team.
“LSU has given back to me so much on the tennis court and with my education,” Szacinski said. “It’s just great to give back to the Baton Rouge community.”
The Adelaide, Australia, native served as the tennis team’s representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee this year while remaining active in the community.
Szacinski handed out candy during LSU’s Halloween BOOzar, made visits to Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital and played games with local underprivileged children while serving meals during Thanksgiving with the Tigers.
The Australian also participated in Habitat for Humanity, Read Across America Day and 4-H’s AgMagic.
LSU assistant coach Danny Bryan has been a major influence on the team, encouraging his players to give back to the community as much as possible.
“I try to let the guys know and bring to their attention the fact of how fortunate we are to have this opportunity to be a part of this program, be a part of this school and to represent this state,” Bryan said.
During his time as a student-athlete at LSU, Bryan was also named to the SEC Tennis Community Service Team from 2005 to 2007 and was recognized as the 2007 LSU Male Volunteer of the Year.
“It’s really good when you see the guys understand that they can really make someone else’s life a lot better through community service,” Bryan said.
On the women’s side, Frankenberger was one of 11 female tennis players selected as part of the team.
The Gainesville, Fla., native was the women’s tennis representative on Student-Athlete Advisory Committee while taking part in the Halloween BOOzar and Thanksgiving with the Tigers.
Frankenberger also participated in the Twin Oaks Elementary playground build project, collected canned goods for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and collected toys for the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.
The Lady Tiger said she loves to work with children, and visiting local children in the hospital is one her favorite service activities.
“I learn from the kids every day because most of them don’t have a lot,” Frankenberger said. “I have had the opportunity to be [at LSU] while a lot of them aren’t going to be able to go to college.”
 
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