The Dairy Alliance, a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families in the Southeast, has launched another season of its Milk's Got Game campaign, featuring SEC football players Gunner Stockton and Talyn Taylor of Georgia and Jake Merklinger of Tennessee, along with their mothers. The initiative showcases how real dairy milk's high-quality protein supports strength, recovery, and hydration for athletes, emphasizing its role from childhood development to collegiate performance.
Joanne Engelhardt-Risko, Vice President of Strategic Marketing at The Dairy Alliance, stated, "Real dairy milk fueled these athletes while they were growing up, and it continues to power their routines today. With this year's Milk's Got Game campaign, we're spotlighting the evolution of real dairy milk as a powerful sports drink that helps athletes recover, stay strong, and perform at their best." The campaign also highlights the role of mothers in promoting dairy consumption, with Engelhardt-Risko noting, "If the best young athletes in the country trust dairy milk to power their game, it's because their moms do too."
Dairy farmers from the Southeast expressed pride in supporting the initiative. Samantha Craun, a Tennessee dairy farmer, said, "We are proud to join The Dairy Alliance to support the Southeast dairy industry and highlight how Milk's Got Game." Jennifer Glover, a Georgia dairy farmer, added, "From our farms to your family, milk has always delivered the nutrition and strength to fuel athletes on the field and at home." The campaign underscores the nutritional benefits of dairy milk, which contains 8 grams of high-quality protein per serving, aiding in fueling strength, recovery, and hydration from practice to game day.
University of Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton shared, "Growing up, my mom always made sure milk was part of my everyday routine. It gave me the nutrition needed for practice and helped me push harder on the field. Even now, dairy milk plays a central role in my life, keeping me fueled and hydrated through every game." His mother, Sherrie Stockton, emphasized, "Since his first steps, it's always been real dairy – high-quality protein and real hydration."
Talyn Taylor, wide receiver for the University of Georgia, noted, "Real dairy milk gave me the edge when I was training as a kid, and it still makes a difference for me now. My mom knew the importance of it early on, and I rely on it to stay strong, bounce back, and perform at my best." Jake Merklinger, quarterback for the University of Tennessee, echoed this sentiment, saying, "From the start, real dairy milk played a huge role in keeping me energized and ready to go. My mom made sure it was part of my routine growing up, and it's still one of the best ways for me to recover after workouts and stay game ready."
The Milk's Got Game campaign celebrates the connection between family, nutrition, and performance, illustrating how success on the field often begins with foundational nutrition at home. For more information, visit https://thedairyalliance.com.
