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Michael Brooks Named to Tony Gwynn Community Service Trophy ‘Starting 9’
5/7/2025 2:00:00 PM | Baseball
WACO, Texas – Kansas baseball redshirt senior infielder Michael Brooks is part of a nine-member finalist group that has been announced for the inaugural Tony Gwynn Trophy, which honors NCAA baseball student-athletes who exemplify the Gwynn legacy. The Gwynn Trophy 'Starting 9' was announced Wednesday by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).
The Gwynn Trophy, conceptualized for the 2025 season, is intended to honor collegiate baseball student-athletes who are active in their community and represent their programs with integrity, while exceling in the classroom and on the field. The winner of the Gwynn Trophy will be selected from the group of nine finalists, in a vote by NCBWA board members, select college baseball coaches and national media members.
Brooks has led a campaign he calls 'Hits for Teachers' since the beginning of the 2023 season. The initiative started with Brooks personally donating $20 for every hit to the Lawrence Schools Foundation, seeking to provide school supplies to teachers and students, with his 2023 efforts raising $1,180 out of his own pocket for the organization. In 2024, Brooks continued the project, donating $20 for every hit and $40 for every home run, totaling $1,080 despite a season-ending injury in April. This season, Brooks has carried on his campaign and his running donation total is currently at $1,100.
"We think it's such a great story to share and such a fantastic opportunity to partner with Michael," said Dena Johnston, executive director of Lawrence Schools Foundation. "It's always especially exciting when someone from the younger generation can start something like that, particularly because the younger kids really look up to guys like Michael. When people think about giving back to an organization or the community, they often automatically think about donating money, and that's great, but I think it's so neat that he's using his time and talents in a creative way to donate."
The Wellington, Florida, native has been a key member of the Kansas baseball program for three years. This season, he has appeared in all 50 games, making 48 starts and displaying his versatility by playing at second base, third base and shortstop. Brooks is hitting .266 with 47 hits, 10 doubles, one triple and eight home runs, helping the Jayhawks to a historic season. He also has 34 RBIs to his credit and 41 runs scored for the Jayhawks.
Brooks was named All-Big 12 honorable mention in 2024 after hitting .331 with eight home runs and 38 RBIs. He was tabbed the No. 19 third baseman entering 2025 by D1Baseball and the No. 57 senior in 2025 by Perfect Game. Brooks has maintained a 3.22 GPA while earning a bachelor's degree in communication studies and is currently working on his master's degree in sports management.
ABOUT HALL OF FAMER TONY GWYNN
Tony Gwynn was nationally recognized throughout his life for his unyielding commitment to philanthropy. He and his wife, Alicia, established the Tony Gwynn Foundation to help fund charities supporting children in need, including supporting the Casa de Amparo Child Abuse Shelter, the Neighborhood House, YMCA and the Police Athletic League. In 1995, Tony earned the Branch Rickey Award as the top community activist in MLB and in 1999 he was named the Roberto Clemente Man of the year. He was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame and won the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, presented to the MLB player who best exemplified the character and leadership of the Hall of Fame first baseman.
Gwynn was a 15-time MLB All-Star, including winning eight batting titles – the most in National League history – and finished his decorated, 20-year career with a .338 batting average. A 2007 Hall of Fame inductee, he played his entire career with the San Diego Padres, after playing collegiately at San Diego State, where he also played basketball.,
The Gwynn family has maintained Tony's commitment to the community, including coordinating the Tony Gwynn Community All-Star Program, which recognizes local youth who support the San Diego community.
ABOUT THE GWYNN TROPHY
In 2025, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association established a new award honoring student-athletes who are active in service and volunteerism in their communities. The NCBWA is honoring nine finalists as part of a Tony Gwynn Community Starting 9 Team in May 2025. A winner selected from the nine finalists will be dubbed the Tony Gwynn Community Service Trophy honoree and announced during the Men's College World Series in June.
Nominees will be solicited through college baseball publicists and the NCBWA membership. Student-athletes who are active in their communities, represent their programs with integrity and excel in on-field roles will be honored among a nine-member finalist group, which will be selected by a committee. The Gwynn Trophy winner will be picked from the nine finalists in a vote by NCBWA board members, select college baseball coaches and national media members.
The Gwynn Trophy, conceptualized for the 2025 season, is intended to honor collegiate baseball student-athletes who are active in their community and represent their programs with integrity, while exceling in the classroom and on the field. The winner of the Gwynn Trophy will be selected from the group of nine finalists, in a vote by NCBWA board members, select college baseball coaches and national media members.
Brooks has led a campaign he calls 'Hits for Teachers' since the beginning of the 2023 season. The initiative started with Brooks personally donating $20 for every hit to the Lawrence Schools Foundation, seeking to provide school supplies to teachers and students, with his 2023 efforts raising $1,180 out of his own pocket for the organization. In 2024, Brooks continued the project, donating $20 for every hit and $40 for every home run, totaling $1,080 despite a season-ending injury in April. This season, Brooks has carried on his campaign and his running donation total is currently at $1,100.
"We think it's such a great story to share and such a fantastic opportunity to partner with Michael," said Dena Johnston, executive director of Lawrence Schools Foundation. "It's always especially exciting when someone from the younger generation can start something like that, particularly because the younger kids really look up to guys like Michael. When people think about giving back to an organization or the community, they often automatically think about donating money, and that's great, but I think it's so neat that he's using his time and talents in a creative way to donate."
The Wellington, Florida, native has been a key member of the Kansas baseball program for three years. This season, he has appeared in all 50 games, making 48 starts and displaying his versatility by playing at second base, third base and shortstop. Brooks is hitting .266 with 47 hits, 10 doubles, one triple and eight home runs, helping the Jayhawks to a historic season. He also has 34 RBIs to his credit and 41 runs scored for the Jayhawks.
Brooks was named All-Big 12 honorable mention in 2024 after hitting .331 with eight home runs and 38 RBIs. He was tabbed the No. 19 third baseman entering 2025 by D1Baseball and the No. 57 senior in 2025 by Perfect Game. Brooks has maintained a 3.22 GPA while earning a bachelor's degree in communication studies and is currently working on his master's degree in sports management.
ABOUT HALL OF FAMER TONY GWYNN
Tony Gwynn was nationally recognized throughout his life for his unyielding commitment to philanthropy. He and his wife, Alicia, established the Tony Gwynn Foundation to help fund charities supporting children in need, including supporting the Casa de Amparo Child Abuse Shelter, the Neighborhood House, YMCA and the Police Athletic League. In 1995, Tony earned the Branch Rickey Award as the top community activist in MLB and in 1999 he was named the Roberto Clemente Man of the year. He was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame and won the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, presented to the MLB player who best exemplified the character and leadership of the Hall of Fame first baseman.
Gwynn was a 15-time MLB All-Star, including winning eight batting titles – the most in National League history – and finished his decorated, 20-year career with a .338 batting average. A 2007 Hall of Fame inductee, he played his entire career with the San Diego Padres, after playing collegiately at San Diego State, where he also played basketball.,
The Gwynn family has maintained Tony's commitment to the community, including coordinating the Tony Gwynn Community All-Star Program, which recognizes local youth who support the San Diego community.
ABOUT THE GWYNN TROPHY
In 2025, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association established a new award honoring student-athletes who are active in service and volunteerism in their communities. The NCBWA is honoring nine finalists as part of a Tony Gwynn Community Starting 9 Team in May 2025. A winner selected from the nine finalists will be dubbed the Tony Gwynn Community Service Trophy honoree and announced during the Men's College World Series in June.
Nominees will be solicited through college baseball publicists and the NCBWA membership. Student-athletes who are active in their communities, represent their programs with integrity and excel in on-field roles will be honored among a nine-member finalist group, which will be selected by a committee. The Gwynn Trophy winner will be picked from the nine finalists in a vote by NCBWA board members, select college baseball coaches and national media members.
Recognizing impact beyond the field ??
— Kansas Baseball (@KUBaseball) May 7, 2025
Congratulations to @mkbrooks0225 on being named one of nine finalists for the Tony Gwynn Community Service Trophy!
More ? https://t.co/PVxUns91Ij#RockChalk pic.twitter.com/uEwVODgfX9
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