Jenna Mazel is a student at ASU Cronkite School of Journalism assigned to cover Arcadia High School for AZPreps365.com

For Arcadia football star Trey Brown, the African American Student Union on campus has been a place for him to express his voice, build friendships, and advocate for a cause that is close to him and his family.  

“When Trey came to Arcadia he immediately plugged into the black community,” AASU faculty advisor Shannon Paloma said. “He is very involved, even his parents are involved.”

AASU provides a community for students to talk about their feelings, celebrate their heritage and share their culture. It was originally founded the day after the 2016 presidential election by four students who were “worried about the direction of things and felt like they needed a community on campus,” Paloma said. 

Today, AASU is one of the largest clubs on Arcadia’s campus with more than 60 active members. 

“Our club won an excellence award last year,” Brown said. “Now we are focusing on expanding our club, while also making sure that we stay a tight-knit community.”

As events coordinator, Brown is a driving force behind AASU. 

“I help plan all of our meetings, events and field trips,” Brown said. “This club is so important to me. The more events I am able to help plan and the more exposure we have, the better.” 

Brown is recognized by his peers and mentors for not only his passion and drive, but also his maturity. 

“He carries himself to a very high standard and is not easily swayed by peer pressure or anybody else's expectations of him,” Paloma said. “Trey is just a natural born leader.” 

Growing up, Brown’s parents put a large emphasis on being active in their  community and led by example.

“I’ve always moved around so my parents have just encouraged me to be adaptable, build relationships and meet new people,” Brown said.

Being a leader in the community is not uncharted territory for the Brown family. Brown is following in his father’s footsteps. 

“My dad is my biggest role model,” Brown said. “He’s done a lot of stuff that I want to do. He went to college, played professional football, and has always been a leader in the community and also my life. He has accomplished a lot.” 

Last fall, Brown became an advocate for Teen Lifeline, a nonprofit organization that serves as a peer counseling suicide hotline. He was nominated for the position by his coach and has become involved by reaching out to at-risk youth. 

“Working with Teen Lifeline has been such a good experience and I am so glad I was able to be a part of such an amazing nonprofit,” Brown said. 

As a senior, Brown now sees the importance of being a role model for younger classmates. He always looked up to his older teammates and realizes that now is his time to lead by example. 

“Being a role model for lowerclassmen is a big role,” Brown said.  “My friends and I are seen as the big guys on campus. Mostly because we play sports and are active members of AASU, so people look at us. You always have to think about that and know that somebody is looking up to you. You have to be a role model and lead by example and take pride in everything you do.”

Brown has set high expectations for himself, but his passion and drive is easily recognized by onlookers. 

“He is very family oriented, he is very goal oriented and he looks at the big picture of college and playing football at the next level,” Vance Miller, Arcadia’s football coach, said. “He understands there are a lot more things in life than football but doesn’t let that mean that football has to take a back seat to anything.”

Brown, an outside linebacker, tallied five sacks along with 41 total tackles through the first five games this season. He is headed to Duke University in the fall and is excited to play football and to be back where he calls home, North Carolina.