New Braunfels, Texas — American Southwest Conference Directors of Athletics have chosen Braylon Crosby and Abby Henderson as the 2025-26 Community Service Athletes of the Year.
The ASC Community Service Athlete of the Year Award honors a male and female student-athlete who best display leadership and commitment to community service on their campus and within their local community. Each ASC member institution can nominate student-athletes to the conference-wide ballot.
Braylon Crosby | Howard Payne | Men’s Basketball
Braylon Crosby, a senior from Mansfield, Texas, played a vital role on the Yellow Jacket’s basketball team – leading the way through community service and stewardship. Crosby participated in the Sleep in Heavenly Peace initiative, which is a leading national non-profit dedicated to building and delivering beds to children in need.
Crosby has consistently given back to local elementary schools by organizing and participating in visits where student-athletes help lead P.E. classes, provide homework assistance, and educate the students on nutrition and physical fitness. Crosby has also assisted in several other elementary school initiatives including volunteering for Thanksgiving meals and the Toys for Tots Drive during the Christmas and Winter holidays.
Abigail Henderson | Howard Payne | Volleyball
Abby Henderson’s community service spans a wide range of initiatives. From local churches to the Howard Payne Athletics Department, the junior out of Junction, Texas has prioritized giving back to the Brownwood community.
In March, Henderson volunteered for William B. Dean Day where she assisted with renovations in the HPU Natural Science Department laboratories. Building on her impact to sustaining a sustainable environment, she cultivated plants for the Early Community Garden in Brownwood.
In the community, Henderson has served as a youth lifeguard at Coggin Community Baptist Church and volunteered with the Genuine Hospitality Team, which aims to create a welcoming environment for guests and visitors. Additionally, she has shown commitment to Howard Payne University by volunteering with the athletic department and serving at the Robnett Founders dinner, supporting university and donor engagement.
Through her willingness to serve in both visible and behind-the-scenes roles, Abby has exemplified leadership, selflessness, and a genuine passion for improving the lives of others.
Men’s Nominees
Diego Narezo | East Texas Baptist | Junior | Football
Diego traveled to Seattle with four ETBU students for a week-long mission trip, serving and evangelizing in the Pacific Northwest in 2025. The group partnered with Northwest Collegiate Ministry and Epic Life Church, building relationships and sharing the Gospel throughout the city.
He also participated in Beach Reach at South Padre Island during spring break, offering free rides, food, and prayer to students at night, opening doors for real conversations, encouragement, and opportunities to point people to Christ in unexpected settings.
He is currently leading two separate Bible studies each week: one for quarterbacks and football players, focused on accountability, leadership, and faith; and another with close friends, centered on honest conversations, Scripture, and living it out daily.
Diego has routinely volunteered as a youth coach for junior high and high school quarterbacks in the East Texas and Shreveport area free of charge, giving back to the community.
This past year during summer and winter break, Diego volunteered in San Antonio, where he served the homeless community and those in need with meals and bags of necessities. He also served on the Lord’s Land Worship prayer team, praying for the worship and for those in need throughout the night.
He routinely participates in prayer walks at ETBU and participated in 24/7 Prayer service tent last spring and has worked at several D-Now weekends. During the summer we worked at a summer camp with Cornerstone Church in San Antonio and is a leader of the College "tribes" at City Tribe Church in San Antonio, where he led worship for the youth group.
Diego participated in clothing drive at City Church, in San Antonio and served on a mission trip to San Antonio with Mobberley Baptist Church of Marshall.
Jack Helsley | Hardin-Simmons | Senior | Football
Football leadership council, led Abilene Tri-College FCA Huddle weekly devotions, Special Olympics volunteer, FCA Fields of Faith Abilene Christian volunteer
Kade Kubecka | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Sophomore | Football
Kade Kubecka demonstrates exemplary servant leadership by consistently prioritizing the growth and well-being of others over personal recognition. As a peer mentor, Kade impacts his athletic and campus circles by assisting teammates with off-field life challenges and facilitating faith-based discussions. He serves as a Squad Leader for Whole Life Cru, a UMHB 33 Group Leader, and an officer for the UMHB Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Furthermore, Kade utilizes the talents God has bestowed upon him to lead and teach others within his church and campus communities. He serves as the Bass Section Leader for the First Baptist Belton (FBB) Choir, a trainee for the FBB Worship Band, a member of Cru Ballroom, and a worship leader for campus events. In addition to these formal roles, Kade is a dedicated volunteer. He consistently serves at events such as TouchDOWNS, the CHAMPS softball game, the FBB Senior Valentine's event, and various mission fundraisers. Whether he is packaging meals for HEB or cooking for FBB Meats Night, Kade proves that he is not limited to a single organization; rather, he serves across diverse communities by adapting his skills to meet the specific needs of others.
Women’s Nominees
McKenzie Jones | East Texas Baptist | Junior | Softball
McKenzie serves as the President of ETBU SAAC, as well as on National SAAC, representing the ASC. At ETBU is plays an integral role in the Tiger Softball team's Pen Pal program, where she sends out letters to four assigned Pen Pals each week.
She served on a mission trip to Canada in 2025 and has volunteered as an ETBU Thrive mentor for the past year. She has also participated in the Hallsville Elementary School High Five program for the past two years, where she opens doors and greets students as they are dropped off at school.
McKenzie helped organize and lead the ETBU SAAC Food Drive in the Fall of 2025 and the ETBU SAAC Jacket Drive in the Winter of 2025. She also helped with ETBU's annual Operation Christmas Child event the past two years and in January 2026, she volunteered with a Special Olympics event in Washington DC.
Avery McNatt | Hardin-Simmons | Junior | Women’s Soccer
Abilene Tri-College FCA volunteer, Special Olympics volunteer, FCA Fields of Faith Abilene Christian volunteer