Allstate, American Football Coaches Association Announce Record 151 Nominees for College Football's Top Community Service Award
2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® nominees uphold impressive community service resumes; prestigious award recognizes student-athletes for their commitment to volunteerism
Jul 16, 2013, 09:00 ET
NORTHBROOK, Ill., July 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 |
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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 |
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| Tusculum College – Bo Cordell |
University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) – Mitchell Mascaro |
| University of Delaware – Ryan Cobb |
Washington University (Mo.) – Andrew Skalman |
| University of Dubuque – Tyson Carter |
Wayne State University (Mich.) – Chet Privett |
| University of Montana – Jordan Tripp |
Waynesburg University – Thomas Paulone |
| University of Mount Union – Kevin Burke |
West Chester University – Rich Bruno |
| University of Northern Iowa – Zach Cutkomp |
West Texas A&M University – Dustin Vaughan |
| University of Saint Francis (Ind.) – Joey Dynako |
Westminster College – David Wright |
| University of San Diego – Thomas Cobbs |
Wilkes University – Tyler Berntsen |
| University of Sioux Falls – Carrington Hanna |
Winona State University – Ryan Gerts |
| University of St. Thomas (Minn.) – Willie Schneider |
Wittenberg University – Reed Florence |
| University of Tennessee-Martin – Taino Fears-Perez |
Yale University – Beau Palin |
| 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."
SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company