BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tennessee pitcher Drew Beam was tabbed to the 2024 SEC Community Service Team, as announced by the league office on Wednesday afternoon.
Beam, a Murfreesboro, Tennessee, native, has made it a point to give back and use his notoriety as one of the SEC’s top pitchers to positively impact the Knoxville community and beyond.
The junior righthander has worked with a handful of organizations and volunteered at numerous events during his time at UT. Beam has made multiple visits to the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital to spend time with kids going through treatments for various medical issues. He also participated in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Civic Day of Engagement, helped with physical education classes at Lonsdale Elementary School in Knoxville and has volunteered at the Ijams Nature Center.
However, Beam’s biggest initiative since arriving on campus has been raising awareness for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a disorder affecting the motor neurons and nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement.
Beam’s younger sister, Carlee, has dealt with the effects of the condition and has been wheelchair bound for essentially her entire life. Beam has worn a purple glove (official color for SMA awareness) and purple cleats as well as wristbands during games to raise awareness.
He has also partnered with local apparel company Volunteer Traditions with hat sale proceeds going towards the official SMA organization. Beam recently teamed up with Bad Day Hat Company, as well, to design a hat that will be coming out in the near future with proceeds going towards SMA awareness and research.
The full SEC Community Service Team can be found HERE.
