Stout earns SEC honor

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas junior All-American Michelle Stout was selected to the seven-member Southeastern Conference Gymnastics Community Service Team the league office announced today. Stout is the sixth Arkansas gymnast selected since the SEC began the award in 2004. “Michelle is a great role model and a person who reaches out in our community to young and old alike,” said Arkansas co-head coach René Cook. “She is socially aware locally and globally and this award is a testament to her desire to impact her world.” Stout’s community efforts are many and varied but include her recent participation in the SEC’s “Together We Can” food drive in which she visited local grocery stores encouraging people to donate non-perishable food items. In addition to collecting items, she manned stations at home football games for more donations. Stout is also a part of Arkansas’ Book Hogs, a program that encourages reading in elementary schools. Stout is a member of the Arkansas Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and helped organize the “Adopt A Street” clean-up improving the conditions and sidewalks along Stadium Drive. The organization also continued its tradition of “Razorbacks for Christmas” where Stout participated in a play-date and holiday celebration with area kids. A two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection, Stout also took part in “Sweat Hawgs” visiting area elementary schools to encourage students to improve their fitness. She visited schools, gave presentations and took part in activity sessions stressing the importance of good fitness for all ages. Stout and the Razorbacks travel to Nashville, Tenn., this weekend for the 2009 SEC Championships. Arkansas hosts the 2009 NCAA South Central Regional Championship in Barnhill Arena Saturday, April 4. For more information about the Arkansas gymnastics team, please log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.