Auburn gymnast Sophia Groth turned NIL into platform for purpose

Auburn gymnast Sophia Groth had a decision to make. 

In 2022, her freshman year as a Tiger, Groth flew swiftly into college gymnastics. In a hint of accolades to come, she earned first-team All-America honors in the balance beam from the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association, along with All-Southeastern Conference and WCGA Scholastic All-Academic honors. 

Soon after, name, image and likeness deals flooded her inbox. Instead of jumping at every proposal, Groth decided to focus on finding partnerships with mission-oriented, impact-driven organizations in which she believed.

"I want to do it on my own terms and in the right way" was her motto.

According to Karen Groth, service comes naturally to her daughter. Sophia spent the first year of her life in an orphanage in China. Even as a 1-year-old, the baby could be found sitting with the other orphans, patting their backs.

Growing up, Sophia always was aware she had things that other children might not have, her mother recalled. In elementary school, she gathered up her toys and collected money to give to a classmate in foster care. She went out of her way to include students who struggled socially, inviting them to play with her.

"She is an inherently kind human being," said Karen, who was a five-time All-American swimmer at Iowa State and is a member of the school's Hall of Fame.

Throughout elementary, middle and high school, Sophia would average 35 hours a week on mastering her gymnastics skills. When she suffered a spinal injury as a 9-year-old, her mother encouraged her to try a different sport. Groth refused, telling her mom quitting gymnastics would be like taking away her oxygen. 

Offers to compete collegiately came around the time Groth was in sixth grade, and later she committed to Auburn. Then came the success and the NIL deals. Then came the decision of which organizations to work with. 

When Baby Steps, an organization that provides housing, community and support for pregnant or parenting college students, was searching for an NIL brand ambassador, multiple people recommended Groth get involved.

Groth instantly connected with Baby Steps because of her adoption.

"It's like a second chance for these pregnant parenting students to have their education, as well as choosing their families," Groth said. "They don't have to make a choice. They can have both. They can have it all." 

Through NIL, Groth used social media to promote the resources for students across college campuses. In total, she posted over 60 Instagram stories showcasing Baby Steps' work. "You don't know the resource until you do, so just being able to promote that in any way I can (is important)," she said.

"She started with Baby Steps as an NIL opportunity, but it was 100% more than that," Karen said. "She talked about Baby Steps and advocated for it every minute of every interview she gave."

Sophia said her adoption has fostered her service-oriented mindset.

"I was chosen by God and then matched with my mom to give me a life of love and abundance. I want to share my God-given purpose and light to others," she said.

Since signing her first brand deal with Baby Steps, Groth has continued to make an impact in her community through NIL deals. With over 13,000 followers on Instagram, Groth has partnered with a range of brands, from food and beverage companies to organizations like neverthirst, which seeks to provide clean water to communities in Africa and Asia.

Meanwhile, Groth continued to excel in gymnastics while thriving in school. After graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in exercise science, she received a master's in higher education this spring while being named the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for gymnastics.

Groth's fiance, Paul Davila, said her positive energy is felt in every room she enters. Little girls often seek her out, gravitating toward her because she is seen as a role model in her community.

"With her team, she's the person you can always rely on," Davila said. "Her coaches trust her to lead, to stay steady and lift others up when it counts. Above all, what sticks with me is how much she's poured into the Auburn community. She's built something real here, and you can see it in the people who've supported her every step of the way."

"She's like Atlas, holding people up," Karen added. 

Ultimately, though Groth did not have much blank space on her calendar throughout her college career, she knew her opportunities were a privilege. 

"I didn't make it a choice to volunteer, I made it a priority that was held at the same priority as my academics and athletics," she said. "If I could be just a small part of someone else's journey and help them, just like the countless people that helped me, why wouldn't I?"

Groth's career plans follow her path of service, this time directing her toward student-athletes and college athletics. Through her experiences volunteering for the SEC, being involved with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, interning with Auburn's executive athletics administration and attending the 2024 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, Groth found a passion for athletics administration.

"There's so much that goes on behind the scenes to give student-athletes a chance to thrive in all facets," she said. "I want to be a part of that now that I'm on the other side of it." 

Groth acknowledges that gymnastics offered opportunities that have prepared her for life after collegiate athletics.

"In pushing myself, I discovered my actual limits far exceeded the ones I'd placed on myself," she said. "I am so glad that I'm walking away with no regrets and an increased capacity to take on whatever comes next."