Fourth annual award honors college basketball student-athletes who are making a positive impact in their communities
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and Allstate Insurance Company today announced an all-time high 257 total nominees for the 2016 Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams®. This distinguished award shines a spotlight on a select group of student-athletes who have shown dedication to service in their communities.
In its fourth year, the Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams® recognize players at all levels of college basketball who have made outstanding contributions in the areas of volunteerism and civic involvement. From establishing nonprofits that provide youth with the necessary tools to become leaders of tomorrow, to raising awareness around pertinent issues that could save lives, these student-athletes exhibit leadership skills both on and off the court.
"The 2016 Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams® nominees are truly inspirational and their stories of service are a great example of the impact young people can make by dedicating their time and energy to do good," said Thomas Clarkson, president of the west territory for Allstate Insurance Company and a member of the 2016 NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams® selection panels. "For the fourth year, Allstate is honored to join the NABC and WBCA to recognize these student-athletes for their leadership off the court to help make a difference."
The 154 NABC nominees and the 103 WBCA nominees were submitted by sports information directors and college basketball coaches across the country. From the nominations, special voting panels, headlined by former Duke University basketball athlete, two-time NCAA® champion and seven-time NBA All-Star Grant Hill, and former University of Tennessee basketball athlete, NCAA champion and WNBA legend Tamika Catchings, will select two 10-member teams comprised of five student-athletes from the NCAA Division I level and five student-athletes from Divisions II, III and the NAIA. The final roster of 20 award recipients will be unveiled in February.
"The Allstate WBCA Good Works Team® is a nationally recognized award that continues to honor an impressive group of student-athletes who strive to better our society through service efforts. The WBCA family of coaches celebrates all the women's and men's basketball student-athletes who demonstrate a respect for the power of sports coupled with the responsibility to give back to others," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "The WBCA is proud to partner with Allstate and commends the recognition of these remarkable student-athletes for their significant humanitarian contributions."
Members of the Allstate NABC Good Works Team® will be invited by Allstate, an official corporate partner of the NCAA, to the 2016 NABC Convention and 2016 NCAA Men's Final Four® in Houston, where they will participate in a community service project benefiting the city. Members of the Allstate WBCA Good Works Team® will be recognized during the 2016 WBCA Convention and at the 2016 NCAA Women's Final Four® in Indianapolis, and will also participate in a local volunteer project. Allstate is an official corporate partner of the NABC, WBCA and NCAA.
"Once again as we have a record number of nominees for the Allstate Good Works Teams, it's very evident that our men's and women's student-athletes in college basketball are unselfish and unwavering in their commitment to service," said Jim Haney, executive director of the NABC. "From global initiatives in third-world countries to feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless around their own communities, these young men and women are very deserving of the recognition that Allstate provides with this exemplary program."
In addition to Clarkson, Hill and Catchings, the 2016 Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Team® selection panel members include: former college basketball student-athletes Clark Kellogg (Ohio State University / CBS Sports), and Alana Beard (Duke University); media members Seth Davis (Sports Illustrated/CBS), Dana O'Neil (ESPN), Carolyn Peck (ESPN) and LaChina Robinson (ESPN/FOX); former head coaches Bobby Cremins (Georgia Institute of Tech/College of Charleston), Seth Greenberg (Virginia Tech University), Marsha Sharp (Texas Tech University) and Nell Fortner (Auburn University); and current college basketball coach Coquese Washington (Penn State University).
Since 2008, Allstate has partnered with the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) as a sponsor of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, which shines a spotlight on the positive, off-the-field impact college football student-athletes have on their communities.
More information about the Allstate NABC Good Works Team® and the Allstate WBCA Good Works Team® is available at www.nabc.org and www.wbca.org.
The following student-athletes have been nominated for consideration to be named to the 2016 Allstate NABC Good Works Team®:
| NCAA Division I |
|
| Air Force Academy – Zach Moer |
Santa Clara University – Nate Kratch |
| Alcorn State University – Marquis Vance |
Southern Methodist University – Semi Ojeleye |
| Arkansas State University – Josh Pierre |
South Carolina State University – Darryl Palmer |
| Auburn University – Jordon Granger |
Stephen F. Austin State University – Thomas Walkup |
| Austin Peay State University – Khalil Davis |
Texas Christian University – Michael Williams |
| Belmont University – Jeff Laidig |
Texas Tech University – Toddrick Gotcher |
| Bethune-Cookman University – Ricky Johnson |
University of Alabama – Retin Obasohan |
| Brigham Young University – Kyle Collinsworth |
University of Arizona – Kaleb Tarczewski |
| Butler University – Kellen Dunham |
University of Arkansas at Little Rock – Mareik Isom |
| California State University, Bakersfield – Kevin Mays |
University of California Berkeley – Stephen Domingo |
| Central Connecticut State University – Brandon Peel |
University of California, Davis – Josh Fox |
| Central Michigan University – Chris Fowler |
University of California, Irvine – Mamadou Ndiaye |
| College of Charleston – Canyon Barry |
University of California, Los Angeles – Bryce Alford |
| Creighton University – Geoffrey Groselle |
University of Detroit Mercy – Anton Wilson |
| Davidson College – Nathan Ekwu |
University of Florida – Dorian Finney-Smith |
| Drexel University – Rodney Williams |
University of Georgia – Yante Maten |
| Duke University – Marshall Plumlee |
University of Iowa – Mike Gesell |
| Eastern Washington University – Venky Jois |
University of Kansas – Hunter Mickelson |
| Florida Atlantic University – Jackson Trapp |
University of Kentucky – Marcus Lee |
| Florida State University – Devon Bookert |
University of Louisiana at Lafayette – Kasey Shepherd |
| Fordham University – Mandell Thomas |
University of Louisville – Trey Lewis |
| Fresno State University – Marvelle Harris |
University of Maryland – Varun Ram |
| Georgia Southern University – Devonte Boykins |
University of Maryland Eastern Shore – Derrico Peck |
| High Point University – John Brown |
University of Massachusetts – Tyler Bergantino |
| Idaho State University – Ben Wilson |
University of Memphis – Shaq Goodwin |
| Indiana State University – Matt Van Scyoc |
University of Michigan – Spike Albrecht |
| Iowa State University – Nazareth Mitrou-Long |
University of Nebraska – Shavon Shields |
| IUPUI – Marcellus Barksdale |
University of Nebraska Omaha – Kyler Erickson |
| La Salle University – Rohan Brown |
University of New Mexico – Cullen Neal |
| Lehigh University – Devon Carter |
University of North Carolina – Joel James |
| Longwood University – Kanayo Obi-Rapu |
University of North Carolina at Greensboro – Jordy Kuiper |
| Lyon College – Riley Jenkins |
University of North Carolina at Wilmington – Craig Ponder |
| Mercer University – Jibri Bryan |
University of North Florida – Beau Beech |
| Middle Tennessee State University – Reggie Upshaw |
University of Oklahoma – Buddy Hield |
| Missouri State University – Tyler McCullough |
University of Pittsburgh – James Robinson |
| Morehead State University – Corban Collins |
University of South Carolina – Mindaugas Kacinas |
| North Carolina A&T State University – Denzel Keyes |
University of Southern California – Samer Dhillon |
| North Dakota State University – Chris Kading |
University of Tennessee – Armani Moore |
| Northeastern University – Zach Stahl |
University of Texas at Arlington – Drew Charles |
| Northern Arizona University – Jordyn Martin |
University of Texas – Demarcus Holland |
| Northwestern State University – Jalan West |
University of Tulsa – Shaquille Harrison |
| Oakland University – Max Hooper |
University of Vermont – Trae Bell-Haynes |
| Oklahoma State University – Phil Forte |
University of Virginia – Anthony Gill |
| Old Dominion University – Trey Freeman |
University of Wisconsin – Nigel Hayes |
| Oral Roberts University – Obi Emegano |
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee – Justin Jordan |
| Oregon State University – Daniel Gomis |
Utah State University – David Collette |
| Pepperdine University – Stacy Davis |
Valparaiso University – Alec Peters |
| Presbyterian College – Will Adams |
Vanderbilt University – Luke Kornet |
| Purdue University – Rapheal Davis |
Villanova University – Ryan Arcidiacono |
| Quinnipiac University (Conn.) – James Ford, Jr. |
Washington State University – Junior Longrus |
| Rice University – Max Guercy |
West Virginia University – Devin Williams |
| Rider University – Jimmie Taylor III |
Western Illinois University – Garret Covington |
| Rutgers University – Greg Lewis |
Western Kentucky University – Nigel Snipes |
| NCAA Divisions II, III and the NAIA |
|
| Alma College – DJ Beckman |
LeTourneau University – CJ Edwards |
| Azusa Pacific University – LyDell Cardwell |
Lewis & Clark College – Jason Luhnow |
| Bard College – Harry Johnson |
Louisiana State University - Alexandria – Austin Adams |
| Barton College – Nick Ellison |
Maine Maritime Academy – Zachary Radcliffe |
| Benedictine University – Michael Blaszczyk |
Millsaps College – Rajan Hanstad |
| Bluefield State College – Avery Holliday |
Merrimack College – Tyler Hunt |
| California Baptist University – Jordan Giusti |
Messiah College – Joshua Clippinger |
| California State University, East Bay – Alex Manu |
Pittsburg State University – Josiah Gustafson |
| Carson-Newman University – Sawyer Williams |
Ripon College – Jordan Stiede |
| Central College – Jordan Saddoris |
Roanoke College – Cameron Smith |
| Colorado College – James Lonergan |
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology – Tyler Duffy |
| Columbia College (Mo.) – Zach Rockers |
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota – Mark Schumacher |
| Delta State University – Jack Madgen |
Slippery Rock University – Jordan Grady |
| Dominican University of California – Christopher Schwartz-Edmisten |
SUNY Plattsburgh – Kyle Richardson |
| Eureka College – Michael Sain |
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology – Philip Schanilec |
| Fitchburg State University – Kwame Lee |
Tarleton State University – Jakob Damstra |
| Florida Institute of Technology – Isaac Spence |
Thomas More College – Louis WalkerIII |
| Franklin & Marshall College – Lior Levy |
University of the Ozarks – Josh Ferrell |
| Freed-Hardeman University – Isaiah Harrison |
University of West Alabama – Matt Hancock |
| Fresno Pacific University – Roger Paul |
University of West Florida – Justin Williams |
| Hope College – Ben Gardner |
University of Wisconsin-Platteville – Peyton River |
| Hampden-Sydney College – Nick Chase |
Wayne State University – Michael Lewis |
| Indiana University East – Vasha Davis |
Westminster College (Pa.) – Jarret Vrabel |
| Lake Superior State University – Michael Smutny |
Young Harris College – C.J. Wilson |
The following student-athletes have been nominated for consideration to be named to the 2016 Allstate WBCA Good Works Team®:
| NCAA Division I |
|
| Arizona State University – Arnecia Hawkins |
Stephen F. Austin State University – LaNesha Middleton |
| Boston College – Alexa Coulombe |
Stony Brook University – Brittany Snow |
| Brown University – Ellise Sharpe |
Texas A&M University – Jordan Jones |
| California State University, Bakersfield – Alyssa Shannon |
Texas Christian University – Zahna Medley |
| Coastal Carolina University – Olivia Carlton |
Troy University – Ashley Beverly Kelley |
| Colgate University – Randyll Butler |
U.S. Military Academy – Aimee Oertner |
| College of the Holy Cross – Raquel Scott |
University of Alabama – Nikki Hegstetter |
| DePaul University – Chanise Jenkins |
University of Arkansas – Melissa Wolff |
| East Carolina University – DeVaughn Gray |
University of California, Los Angeles – Kacy Swain |
| Florida State University – Brittany Brown |
University of Georgia – Merritt Hempe |
| Fordham University – Danielle Padovano |
University of Houston – Jessieka Palmer |
| George Mason University – Taylor Brown |
University of Illinois – Sarah Hartwell |
| George Washington University – Alexis Chandler |
University of Iowa – Ally Disterhoft |
| Georgetown University – Ki-Ke Rafiu |
University of Kansas – Lauren Aldridge |
| Georgia Institute of Technology – Katarina Vuckovic |
University of Louisville – Cortnee Walton |
| Hofstra University – Sydni Epps |
University of Maine – Elizabeth Wood |
| Indiana State University – Rhagen Smith |
University of Maryland Eastern Shore – Chalyse Taylor |
| Iowa State University – Nicole Blaskowsky |
University of Maryland, Baltimore County – Emily Russo |
| Kansas State University – Kelly Thomson |
University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Rachel Theriot |
| Lehigh University – Elizabeth Sharlow |
University of Nevada – Julia Shelbourn |
| Liberty University – Ashley Rininger |
University of New Mexico – Bryce Owens |
| Marshall University – McKenzie Akers |
University of North Carolina - Asheville – Paige Love |
| Mississippi State University – Chinwe Okorie |
University of North Carolina at Greensboro – India Timpton |
| Missouri State University – Kenzie Williams |
University of Northern Iowa – Stephanie Davison |
| Monmouth University – Sarah Olson |
University of Oregon – Jillian Alleyne |
| North Carolina State University – Ashley Eli |
University of South Carolina – Khadijah Sessions |
| Northwestern University – Maggie Lyon |
University of Tennessee – Andraya Carter |
| Oakland University – Elena Popkey |
University of Tennessee at Martin – Katie Schubert |
| The Ohio State University – Cait Craft |
University of Toledo – Michaela Rasmussen |
| Old Dominion University – Jennie Simms |
University of Utah – Danielle Rodriguez |
| Presbyterian College – Janie Miles |
University of Virginia – Faith Randolph |
| Purdue University – Hayden Hamby |
University of Wisconsin-Madison – Nicole Bauman |
| Rice University – Alyssa Lang |
Valparaiso University – Georgi Donchetz |
| Seattle University – Wilma Afunugo |
Vanderbilt University – Kendall Shaw |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville – Gwen Adams |
Wake Forest University – Keri Fulp |
| St. John's University – Sandra Udobi |
|
| NCAA Divisions II, III and the NAIA |
|
| Ashland University – Andi Daugherty |
Palm Beach Atlantic University – Taylor Buchanan |
| Bethel University (Minn.) – Rachel Parupsky |
Pittsburg State University – Kylie Gafford |
| Covenant College – Rachel Price |
Queens University of Charlotte – Victoria Robinson |
| Dakota Wesleyan University – Chesney Nagel |
Rockhurst University – Lauren Meyers |
| Dominican University of California – Jessy Marshall |
St. Ambrose University – Deanna Busse |
| Drew University – Courtney Trzasko |
SUNY Old Westbury – Raven Pentz |
| Eastern Mennonite University – Jess Rheinheimer |
Tarleton State University – Raven McGrath |
| Felician University – Eliana Scanlon |
University of Central Oklahoma – Jordan Ward |
| Gannon University – Brianna Brennan |
University of Nebraska at Kearney – Laramey Becker |
| Grove City College – Kathryn Erbelding |
Union College – Lydia Nash |
| Lewis University – Jamie Johnson |
Union University – Kelsey Risner |
| Lindenwood University – Kassidy Gengenbacher |
Wayne State University – Kristen Long |
| Loras College – Kaitlin Phillips |
Westmont College – Karlie Storkson |
| Loyola University – Shayne Charles |
Wheaton College (Mass.) – Rebecca Arnone |
| Nova Southeastern University – Alexis Murphy |
Whitworth University – KC McConnell |
| Ohio Dominican University – Rachael Torey |
Wingate University – Janna Johnson |
About the National Association of Basketball Coaches
Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the NABC was founded in 1927 by Forrest "Phog" Allen, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Kansas. Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game. The NABC currently has nearly 5,000 members consisting primarily of university and college men's basketball coaches. All members of the NABC are expected to uphold the core values of being a Guardian of the Game by bringing attention to the positive aspects of the sport of basketball and the role coaches play in the academic and athletic lives of today's student-athletes. The four core values of being a Guardian of the Game are advocacy, leadership, service and education. Additional information about the NABC, its programs and membership, can be found at www.nabc.org.
About the Women's Basketball Coaches Association
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game as a sport for women and girls. For more information on the WBCA, please visit www.wbca.org.
About the 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."
About the NCAA
The NCAA is a membership-led nonprofit association of colleges and universities committed to supporting academic and athletic opportunities for more than 460,000 student-athletes at more than 1,000 member colleges and universities. Each year, more than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships in Divisions I, II and III sports. Visit www.ncaa.org and www.ncaa.com for more details about the Association, its goals and members and corporate partnerships that help support programs for student-athletes.
About Allstate®
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16 million households from life's uncertainties through auto, home, life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance, Encompass and Answer Financial brand names. Allstate is widely known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®." The Allstate brand's network of small businesses offers auto, home, life and retirement products and services to customers in the United States and Canada. In the 20 years since Allstate became a fully independent public company, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees and agency owners have donated more than $405 million to support local communities.
NCAA, Final Four and Women's Final Four are trademarks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. All other licenses or trademarks are property of their respective holders.
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