KNOXVILLE -- Tennessee defensive end Ben Martin was named Wednesday to the SEC Community Service Team for 2009.

The junior from Cincinnati has volunteered his time with the Knox County Public Law Defender's Office, working with children from low-income areas. Martin has visited patients at East Tennessee's Children's Hospital and has worked with children at the Knox Kicks Soccer Clinic and Boys and Girls Club. He has been a volunteer, playing with children, for a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraiser and with Teams for Toys. A member of UT's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Martin also has participated in campus clean-up efforts.

"The thing I had the most fun doing was soccer camp with refugee kids last summer here at UT,'' Martin said. "It was a lot of fun watching them run around and interacting with them. We played soccer, we played other kinds of games. It was rewarding seeing them have fun and also a lot of fun for me."

Martin is second on the team with 31/2 sacks and tied for fifth with 41/2 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He has 31 overall tackles and is seventh in defensive big plays with 71/2. Martin had a career high seven tackles in the recent game at Mississippi.

2009 SEC Community Service Team
Javier Arenas, CB, Alabama
D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas
Walter McFadden, DB, Auburn
David Nelson, WR, Florida
Jeff Owens, DT, Georgia
Alfonso Smith, TB, Kentucky
Lyle Hitt, OG, LSU
Dexter McCluster, WR, Mississippi
Tyson Lee, QB, Mississippi State
Moe Brown, WR, South Carolina
Ben Martin, DE, Tennessee
Myron Lewis, CB, Vanderbilt

TEAM HOLDS KICKING COMPETITION AFTER PRACTICE

Quarterback Jonathan Crompton was the hero for the offense at the end of practice Wednesday evening, not because of his throwing ability but because of his kicking.

The Vols held a kick competition between the offense and defense after practice Thursday. Each side had to provide a snapper, holder and kicker. The offense went first, and Crompton's kick bounced off the right goalpost and ricocheted through.

The defense did not fare as well in its try at special teams. Defensive back Eric Berry served as the holder, and defensive back Dennis Rogan attempted the kick. Head coach Lane Kiffin said Berry's hold was not the best, and Rogan's kick did not clear the line of scrimmage.

Kiffin said practice went well as the team prepares for Saturday's regular-season finale against Kentucky in Lexington. The Vols practice again Thursday after morning meetings, so that players who live nearby can travel home for the holiday.

"I thought practice was good. It was very spirited, very energetic,''” Kiffin said. "We've got a lot of work to do in the morning with these guys.''”

In the injury report, Kiffin said Martin (hip) and Chris Walker (elbow), the Vols’ starting defensive ends, did not practice Wednesday. Defensive back Art Evans (shoulder) also missed practice, and Kiffin expects him to be a game-time decision Saturday. He added that linebacker LaMarcus Thompson, who missed last week’s win against Vanderbilt with a neck injury, gave a good performance in practice.

(E-mail Stan Crawley at wscrawley@earthlink.net)