Eli Cox Representing Kentucky at SEC Spring Meetings

Eli Cox Representing Kentucky at SEC Spring Meetings

Four Southeastern Conference student-athletes will participate in SEC Spring Meetings scheduled to begin May 30 in Sandestin, Fla. These student-athletes will participate in meetings throughout the week to share their perspective and offer input on issues that impact their college experience.

The four student-athletes are Texas A&M’s Henry Coleman III (Men’s Basketball), Kentucky’s Eli Cox (Football), Missouri’s Jude Dierker (Men’s Swimming & Diving) and Tennessee’s Tamari Key (Women’s Basketball).

Following a dinner with Commissioner Greg Sankey to begin the week, the group will meet with the SEC's Presidents and Chancellors, Athletics Directors, Faculty Athletics Representatives and Senior Woman Administrators throughout the week. The agenda also includes a conversation with SEC Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Katie O’Neal on the topic of student-athlete mental health.

The four student-athletes who are scheduled to attend Spring Meetings are all members of one of the SEC's Student-Athlete Leadership Councils or the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). — Via UK Athletics.

SEC Student-Athlete Participation In Spring Meetings

Henry Coleman III, Texas A&M — SEC Men’s Basketball Leadership Council Chair

Eli Cox, Kentucky — SEC Football Leadership Council Chair

Jude Dierker, Missouri —SEC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Vice Chair

Tamari Key, Tennessee —SEC Women’s Basketball Leadership Council Vice Chair

Cox, a 6-foot-4 offensive lineman out of West Jessamine High School in Nicholasville, Ky., has played in 31 career games across four seasons for the Wildcats, ranging from guard to center. He has made 22 starts in the last two seasons, 13 of which came last season. 

As a sophomore in 2021, he was named a Midseason All-American by ESPN and the Associated Press. He started at right guard in the first nine games of the season before suffering a season-ending hand injury vs. Tennessee. In 2022 he manned the center position and was on the Outland Trophy Watch List. 

He was a 3-star recruit coming out of high school and chose his hometown Cats over Cincinnati, Marshall, Ohio and Toledo. His presence in the SEC Spring Meeting comes without a surprise, as he's been involved with plenty of community service since coming to UK:

• Volunteered at Rosewood Elementary (2020)
• Volunteered at LexCity Church and Florence Baptist Church (2020)
• Volunteered for a weekend of service in Harlan County, Ky., with other UK student-athletes, where he worked with nonprofit organizations Willing Hearts and Club 180 Ministry, and also helped the Harlan County Youth Football League with various projects
• Participated in the Fellowship of Christian Athlete’s Men’s Conference at Southland Christian (2020)

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