2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® nominees uphold impressive community service resumes; prestigious award recognizes student-athletes for their commitment to volunteerism
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Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) today announced 151 nominees for the 2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, the most ever in the award's 22-year history. The award recognizes a select group of college football players who have made a commitment to enriching the lives of others while contributing to the greater good of their communities.
Since 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® has honored college football players at all levels of the sport for their selfless acts of giving back to the community and off-the-field achievements. These student-athletes represent the sport's finest in the areas of volunteerism and leadership amongst their peers.
"Through their commitment to service and helping others, this impressive group of student-athletes has shown that 'good works' extend beyond the football field," said Cynthia Whitfield, field senior vice president of Allstate's Southern region and a member of the 2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® voting panel. "The positive impact these young athletes have on their communities is an inspiration to us all and another reason to celebrate the good happening in our communities."
While tackles and touchdowns earn accolades on-the-field, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® shines a light on the stories of good taking place outside the sport of football that often go unnoticed. It is those student-athletes who have dedicated countless hours towards helping others who have been nominated by their respective colleges and universities for this prestigious honor.
This year's nominees uphold impressive service resumes detailing several unique and inspiring stories of servitude. From aiding with natural disaster relief across the globe to volunteering with sick and underprivileged children, this dedicated group of student-athletes has demonstrated the exceptional ability to balance academics with athletics while donating their limited free time and energy to serve others.
"With a record number of nominees submitted this year for the 2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, it is obvious that our country's collegiate football programs are producing great student-athletes," said Grant Teaff, AFCA Executive Director. "The AFCA is proud to partner with Allstate for a sixth consecutive year in honoring these outstanding student-athletes."
From the nominees submitted by sports information directors across the nation on behalf of their schools, a special voting panel consisting of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® members and prominent college football media members will select the 2013 Good Works Team.® Comprised of 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III, and the NAIA, the final roster of 22 award recipients will be unveiled in September.
Allstate and the AFCA will launch the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® website on ESPN.com, featuring profiles and images of the final team members, as well as the opportunity for fans to vote for the 2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® Captain.
The 2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® voting panel includes: former Good Works Team® members Zaid Abdul-Aleem (Duke, 1994 team), Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia, 1997, 1998 teams), Brian Brenberg (St. Thomas, 2001 team), Mike Proman (Amherst, 2002 team); media members Lou Holtz (ESPN), Kirk Herbstreit (ESPN), Tom O'Toole (USA Today), Blair Kerkhoff (Kansas City Star); current AFCA President and University of Texas Head Coach Mack Brown; 1987 AFCA President LaVell Edwards, former head coach at Brigham Young University; and Cynthia Whitfield, field vice president of Allstate's Southern Region.
In order to meet the criteria set forth by Allstate and the AFCA, each player must be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or community service while maintaining a strong academic standing.
The following players have been nominated for consideration to be named to the 2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®.
Football Bowl Subdivision
Arizona State University – Taylor Kelly
Louisiana State University – Zach Mettenberger
Auburn University – Nosa Eguae
Michigan State University – Fou Fonoti
Ball State University – Keith Wenning
Middle Tennessee State University – Logan Kilgore
Baylor University – Bryce Petty
Mississippi State University – Kaleb Eulls
Boise State University – Kirby Moore
North Carolina State University – Asa Watson
Bowling Green State University – Ronnie Goble
Northwestern University – Jeff Budzien
Brigham Young University – Kyle Van Noy
Ohio State University – Jack Mewhort
California State University, Fresno – Derek Carr
Oregon State University – Steven Christian
Central Michigan University – Jake Olson
Penn State University – John Urschel
Clemson University – Chandler Catanzaro
Rutgers University – Brandon Coleman
Duke University – Dave Harding
Syracuse University – J. Sam Rodgers
East Carolina University – Trent Tignor
Temple University – Wyatt Benson
Georgia State University – Michael Davis
Texas A&M University – Jake Matthews
Indiana University – Greg Heban
Tulane University – Zach Morgan
Iowa State University – Kirby Van Der Kamp
University of Alabama - Vinnie Sunseri
Kansas State University – Tyler Lockett
University of Arizona – B.J. Denker
Kent State University – Darius Polk
University at Buffalo – Fred Lee
University of California – Nick Forbes
University of New Mexico – Kasey Carrier
University of Central Florida – Blake Bortles
University of Oklahoma – Gabe Ikard
University of Cincinnati – Jordan Luallen
University of Pittsburgh – Mark Giubilato
University of Florida – Jeremy Brown
University of South Alabama – Ross Metheny
University of Georgia – Chris Burnette
University of South Carolina – Damiere Byrd
University of Houston – Zach McMillian
University of Southern California – Devon Kennard
University of Illinois – Nathan Scheelhaase
University of Tennessee – Jacques Smith
University of Iowa – James Morris
University of Texas – Jackson Jeffcoat
University of Kentucky – Avery Williamson
University of Texas-San Antonio – Eric Soza
University of Louisville – Teddy Bridgewater
University of Toledo – Greg Mancz
University of Maryland – C.J. Brown
University of Virginia – Luke Bowanko
University of Memphis – Jacob Karam
University of Wisconsin – Jared Abbrederis
University of Miami (Fla.) – Stephen Morris
Utah State University – Chuckie Keeton
University of Minnesota – Chris Hawthorne
Vanderbilt University – Carey Spear
University of Mississippi – D.T. Shackelford
West Virginia University – Will Clarke
University of Missouri – James Franklin
Western Michigan University – Kirk Nakama
University of Nebraska – C.J. Zimmerer
Combined Divisions (FCS, II, III & NAIA)
Alderson-Broaddus College – Preston Bailey
Minnesota State University-Mankato – Sam Brockshus
Appalachian State University – Jamal Londry-Jackson
Missouri State University – Caleb Schaffitzel
Aurora University – Tyler Simmons
Montana State University – DeNarius McGhee
Bentley University – Danny Guadagnoli
Morgan State University – Tyrell Okoro
Bethel University (Minn.) – J.D. Mehlhorn
Morningside College – Jordan Sitzmann
Bryant University – Maduka Nwanekezi
Muhlenberg College – Joe Carlucci
Bucknell University – Josh Brake
Murray State University – Sam Small
Butler University – Matt Lancaster
North Carolina Central University – Jordan Reid
California Polytechnic State University – Sullivan Grosz
North Dakota State University – Esley Thorton
Campbell University – Michael Rudisill
Northwood University – Josh Sinagoga
Carson-Newman College – Curt Duncan
Ohio Wesleyan University – Rayce Risser
College of the Holy Cross – Gary Acquah
Old Dominion University – Taylor Heinicke
Cornell University – Jeff Mathews
Pittsburg State University – John Brown
Dakota State University – Ronnie Jorgensen
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – Joe Cozzolino
Davidson College – Weston Hawkins
Robert Morris University (Ill.) – Lamont Wims
Eastern Kentucky University – Ichiro Vance
Saint John's University (Minn.) – Colin Moynihan
Edinboro University – Cody Harris
Samford University – Jeremy Towns
Elon University – Miles Williams
Siena Heights University – Meiko McDaniel
Emory & Henry College – Kyle Boden
South Dakota State University – Winston Wright
Franklin & Marshall College – Nick Porcelli
Southern Illinois University – Austin Pucylowski
Georgia Southern University – Trevor McBurnett
St. Cloud State University – Phillip Klaphake
Henderson State University – Kevin Rodgers
Stephen F. Austin State University – Garrick Smitherman
Hillsdale College – Steven Embry
Stony Brook University – Marcus Coker
Illinois State University – Colton Underwood
Tabor College – James Monroe
Indiana State University – FN Lutz
Tarleton State University – Kade Cole
Johns Hopkins University – Vincenzo Bonaddio
Tennessee State University – Devin Wilson
Kenyon College – William David Brackett
Texas Lutheran University – Bradley Snowden
Lafayette College – Brad Bormann
Thomas More College – Jake Fishburn
Loras College – Jordan Pontius
Towson University – Arnold Farmer
Marist College – Max Jacques
Trinity University (Texas) – Weslyn Wagner
Mercyhurst University – Colin Kimball
University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) – Mitchell Mascaro
Tusculum College – Bo Cordell
Washington University (Mo.) – Andrew Skalman
University of Delaware – Ryan Cobb
Wayne State University (Mich.) – Chet Privett
University of Dubuque – Tyson Carter
Waynesburg University – Thomas Paulone
University of Montana – Jordan Tripp
West Chester University – Rich Bruno
University of Mount Union – Kevin Burke
West Texas A&M University – Dustin Vaughan
University of Northern Iowa – Zach Cutkomp
Westminster College – David Wright
University of Saint Francis (Ind.) – Joey Dynako
Wilkes University – Tyler Berntsen
University of San Diego – Thomas Cobbs
Winona State University – Ryan Gerts
University of Sioux Falls – Carrington Hanna
Wittenberg University – Reed Florence
University of St. Thomas (Minn.) – Willie Schneider
Yale University – Beau Palin
University of Tennessee-Martin – Taino Fears-Perez
Youngstown State University – Kurt Hess
About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, serving approximately 16 million households through its Allstate, Encompass, Esurance and Answer Financial brand names and Allstate Financial business segment. Allstate branded insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services are offered through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives, as well as via www.allstate.com, www.allstate.com/financial and 1-800 Allstate®, and are widely known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®." As part of Allstate's commitment to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $29 million in 2012 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.
About the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams® were established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff off the field. AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate partnered to present the award starting with the 2008 season.
The SEC leads all conferences with 57 selections to the Good Works Team since it began in 1992. The SEC is followed by the Big 12 Conference with 41 selections and the Atlantic Coast Conference with 31 selections. With Aaron Murray's selection in 2012, Georgia moves into first place with 14 honorees to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The Bulldogs are followed by Nebraska and St. Thomas (Minn.) with 13 honorees each. Super Bowl XLII, XLVI and XLI champion quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning were members of the 2002 and 1997 Good Works Teams®, respectively.
About AFCA
The AFCA was founded in 1922 and currently has more than 11,000 members around the world ranging from the high school level to the professional ranks. According to its constitution, the AFCA was formed, in part, to "maintain the highest possible standards in football and in the coaching profession" and to "provide a forum for the discussion and study of all matters pertaining to football."
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Contact:
Jessie Snider, Taylor
704-644-6928
jsnider@taylorstrategy.com
Vince Thompson, AFCA Media Relations
254-754-9900
vince@afca.com
Laura Strykowski, Allstate Media Relations
847-402-5600
Laura.Strykowski@allstate.com