ATLANTA, Ga. – Georgia Tech’s Bradley Favors (track and field), Emma Kauf (softball) and John Watkins (track and field) have recently been recognized for their achievements, being named 2023 Peach of an Athlete Role Models, honors given by the Atlanta Area Council and Boy Scouts of America.
Each year, the Atlanta Area Council and Boy Scouts of America honor student-athletes from the state of Georgia or a college or university in Georgia, who have distinguished themselves by their character, scholastic achievement, academic excellence and community service – characteristics taught every day in the Scouting program. Every year, 10 collegiate student-athletes are recognized as nominees for the award with two receiving the highest honor of Top Female Athlete and Top Male Athlete.
A native of Stone Mountain, Ga., Favors has served in his local community with Lifting Our Voices and Black Rhinos. Each Saturday, the Yellow Jacket does needs-based services projects with Lifting Our Voices, preparing essential bags for the homeless and food banks. He also serves as a mentor with Black Rhinos, discussing everyday challenges faced by society including academic, social and community. Before arriving at Tech, Favors was a Boy Scout and served at various organizations including Trees Atlanta, Women’s Missionary Society and Antioch Church.
Kauf, a fourth year from Lincoln, Nebraska, has been instrumental on and off the softball field. She has helped with the Big B Clothing Drive, Maggie 5k and Michael Isenhour Toy Drive. Additionally, Kauf has served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB), chairing the community service committee, and was an ACC Student-Advisory Committee representative. In 2021, Kauf helped with the Dream on 3 project and a year later, spearheaded the project in 2022. On the field, Kauf is highly decorated as a two-time all-ACC first team selection, NFCA Southeast second team all-region, ACC all-freshman team honoree and two-time all-ACC academic team recipient.
Watkins joins Favors and Kauf as role models after serving with Lifting Our Voices and Black Rhinos. Additionally, Watkins has helped with the Michael Isenhour Toy Drive on campus, Atlanta Food Drive and Cristo Rey Atlanta Backpack Donation. In 2022, Watkins was named to the all-ACC second team after placing fifth in the triple jump at ACC Indoor Championships. An electrical engineering major, Watkins was named to both the indoor and outdoor all-ACC academic teams in 2022 and collected USTFCCA all-academic honors.
Favors, Kauf and Watkins join numerous Yellow Jackets to receive the prestigious honor. Last year, Georgia Tech’s Mikaila Dowd, Ben King and Lotta-Maj Lahtinen were recognized.
The honorees will be recognized at the 39th annual Peach of an Athlete Role Model Banquet on March 28 at Truist Park.
For more information on the Peach of an Athlete Role Model Banquet, please click here.
About Peach of an Athlete Award
For over 30 years, the Peach of an Athlete Awards Banquet honors athletes and community leaders that hold the same values as Scouting and benefits the programs of Atlanta Area Council and Boy Scouts of America. The Scouting organization takes great pride in recognizing those who serve as good “Role Models for Youth.”
Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.
