Zakye Barker: Leading by example, on and off the field

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

When I transferred to SMU this past January, I knew I had to earn everything—playing time, trust, leadership opportunities, everything.

I was stepping into a new culture, with new people and expectations.

So when my coach reached out and asked me to represent the football team on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), it was a pleasant surprise.

I hadn’t been here long, but already he saw me as someone he could trust. Someone who could lead.

That meant a lot.

I’ve always believed in leading by example. I don’t talk about leadership as much as I try to live it—through effort, discipline, and consistency.

Whether I’m in the weight room, the classroom, or walking into a team meeting, I want people to know they can count on me.

Now at SMU, I’ve been given the chance to carry that mindset into other areas of campus, and it’s something I’ve taken seriously.

What I Took From the Unity Tour
Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to join the ACC Unity Tour, an annual, multi-day journey through historic Civil Rights sites in the South.

We visited places like the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma and the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, each stop offering a different lesson on courage and responsibility.

Walking across the bridge in Selma was surreal. I’d seen pictures and heard the stories, but to be there in person, retracing those steps, brought a new level of understanding.

That march wasn’t just history. It was a symbol of what leadership under pressure really looks like.

But the place that stuck with me the most was the Legacy Museum.

It was hard to take it all in, honestly.

But it lit a fire in me.

Seeing how much of our country’s history has been silenced or ignored reminded me why it’s so important to speak up.

It reminded me that change is never easy, and it rarely comes quickly, but it can come.

One of the biggest takeaways from the tour was the idea that not everyone will buy into your mission right away.

But that doesn’t mean you stop.

You lead with patience.

You find the people who are ready to walk with you.

And eventually, others catch on.

Using My Seat at the Table
Being part of SAAC has opened up a space for me to advocate for more than just myself. We talk about things that matter to all student-athletes—academic support, mental health resources, community building.

The goal is to make SMU athletics stronger as a whole, across every team.

One thing we’ve been working on is improving the connection between student-athletes and the rest of the student body.

That sense of unity matters.

When everyone on campus feels involved and invested, the energy shifts. It becomes about more than just games; it becomes about pride in who we are together.

Next semester, I’m also joining the Black Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (BSAC), another group whose mission I wholeheartedly believe in.

BSAC is a space to talk about real issues and build community—one where Black student-athletes feel seen, heard, and supported. It’s also about building understanding and pushing for equity.

That matters to me because I’ve seen how powerful those conversations and that kind of support can be.

Being part of SAAC has opened up a space for me to advocate for more than just myself. We talk about things that matter to all student-athletes—academic support, mental health resources, community building. The goal is to make SMU athletics stronger as a whole, across every team.
Why Community Matters

Leadership, for me, has always meant more than just what happens on the field.

It’s also about the connections you make with the people around you.

Since arriving at SMU, I’ve had the chance to meet professors, alumni, and community members who’ve welcomed me with open arms.

Their encouragement has meant everything.

It’s helped me stay grounded and focused—and it’s reminded me of the importance of giving back.

One of the ways I do that is by spending time with kids in the community.

That’s a big passion of mine. I see it as planting seeds—sharing my story, encouraging them to dream big, and showing them that success comes through hard work and belief.

The support we get as student-athletes is powerful.

And I want to make sure I’m using that platform to inspire the next generation the same way others have inspired me.

What Comes Next
Looking ahead to this season, I’m excited for what’s to come.

Every team faces adversity. It’s how you respond to those moments that defines your identity. I trust that God has a plan for us, and I’m ready to embrace whatever comes with faith and determination.

Of course, we want to win. We want to compete for a championship.

But for me, the season is also about something deeper.

It’s about growth—individually and as a team.

It’s about building something that lasts beyond the field.

Whether it’s through football, academics, or my role in these advisory groups, I want people to see that I’m committed to leading with purpose. That I’m someone who shows up, works hard, and does things the right way.

SMU has already given me so many opportunities to be that person, and I’m going to keep finding ways to live up to that responsibility.

Because leadership isn’t just a title.

It’s a choice you make every day.