(Portions of this story courtesy of the AFCA website, Texas Lutheran University and Trinity University)
WACO, Texas - Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced a record 151 nominees for the 2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®. Texas Lutheran University senior linebacker Bradley Snowden and Trinity University senior receiver Weslyn Wagner were selected as nominees. The award recognizes the selfless contributions to volunteerism and community service made by college football student-athletes across the nation.
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."
During the 2012-13 academic year, TLU's Snowden volunteered for a third straight year with TLU's annual Day of the Dogs service day, during which he participated in a Seguin city park clean-up project. He also volunteered his time with the Salvation Army donation campaign, and he volunteered at TLU's annual Vespers service and at the annual TLU scholarship luncheon as a member of TLU's Black & Gold President's Council.
In his Bulldog career, Snowden also has volunteered for service projects at My Father's Farm (two years), and he has mentored middle school kids at the Seguin alternative school. He also has given his time at Seguin's A.J. Briesemeister Middle School, where he taught children about the importance of exercise and nutrition.
TLU Head Coach Danny Padron calls Snowden the "go-to guy" when it comes to organizing the TLU Football's community service efforts.
Snowden was TLU's nominee for the American Southwest Conference Community Service Award in 2012-13. TLU, a former member of the ASC, officially joined the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference on July 1, 2013.
A three-year letterman and two-year starter at linebacker, Snowden has accumulated 175 total tackles in three seasons. A team captain, Brad was named to the 2012 ASC All-Conference First Team Defense after leading TLU in tackles for a second straight season. This past football season, Snowden had 74 tackles, nine tackles for loss (27 yards in losses), three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. He is a two-time Academic All-Conference selection.
In San Antonio, Wagner and his Trinity teammates volunteered at Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children, mentoring the students and coaching them in physical education activities.
A rising senior and an engineering science major, Wagner coached athletes in Channelview on 7-on-7 football, and junior varsity baseball. He also trained and mentored junior high and high school athletes about collegiate athletics, and about the importance of education. In addition, Wagner worked with the Jerheme Urban Football Camp, held in Victoria, Texas.
The 5-foot-9, 158-pound Wagner is a returning starter from the 2012 Tiger team, which posted a 7-3 record and won the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship. He also earned a spot on the SCAC Academic Honor Roll in the fall of 2012, and made Trinity's Dean's List the previous spring. On the field, Wagner snagged seven catches for 56 yards in seven games last season.
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®.
Arizona State University – Taylor Kelly
Auburn University – Nosa Eguae
Ball State University – Keith Wenning
Baylor University – Bryce Petty
Boise State University – Kirby Moore
Bowling Green State University – Ronnie Goble
Brigham Young University – Kyle Van Noy
California State University, Fresno – Derek Carr
Central Michigan University – Jake Olson
Clemson University – Chandler Catanzaro
Duke University – Dave Harding
East Carolina University – Trent Tignor
Georgia State University – Michael Davis
Indiana University – Greg Heban
Iowa State University – Kirby Van Der Kamp
Kansas State University – Tyler Lockett
Kent State University – Darius Polk
Louisiana State University – Zach Mettenberger
Michigan State University – Fou Fonoti
Middle Tennessee State University – Logan Kilgore
Mississippi State University – Kaleb Eulls
North Carolina State University – Asa Watson
Northwestern University – Jeff Budzien
Ohio State University – Jack Mewhort
Oregon State University – Steven Christian
Penn State University – John Urschel
Rutgers University – Brandon Coleman
Syracuse University – J. Sam Rodgers
Temple University – Wyatt Benson
Texas A&M University – Jake Matthews
Tulane University – Zach Morgan
University of Alabama - Vinnie Sunseri
University of Arizona – B.J. Denker
University at Buffalo – Fred Lee
University of California – Nick Forbes
University of Central Florida – Blake Bortles
University of Cincinnati – Jordan Luallen
University of Florida – Jeremy Brown
University of Georgia – Chris Burnette
University of Houston – Zach McMillian
University of Illinois – Nathan Scheelhaase
University of Iowa – James Morris
University of Kentucky – Avery Williamson
University of Louisville – Teddy Bridgewater
University of Maryland – C.J. Brown
University of Memphis – Jacob Karam
University of Miami (Fla.) – Stephen Morris
University of Minnesota – Chris Hawthorne
University of Mississippi – D.T. Shackelford
University of Missouri – James Franklin
University of Nebraska – C.J. Zimmerer
University of New Mexico – Kasey Carrier
University of Oklahoma – Gabe Ikard
University of Pittsburgh – Mark Giubilato
University of South Alabama – Ross Metheny
University of South Carolina – Damiere Byrd
University of Southern California – Devon Kennard
University of Tennessee – Jacques Smith
University of Texas – Jackson Jeffcoat
University of Texas-San Antonio – Eric Soza
University of Toledo – Greg Mancz
University of Virginia – Luke Bowanko
University of Wisconsin – Jared Abbrederis
Utah State University – Chuckie Keeton
Vanderbilt University – Carey Spear
West Virginia University – Will Clarke
Western Michigan University – Kirk Nakama
Appalachian State University – Jamal Londry-Jackson
Aurora University – Tyler Simmons
Bentley University – Danny Guadagnoli
Bethel University (Minn.) – J.D. Mehlhorn
Bryant University – Maduka Nwanekezi
Bucknell University – Josh Brake
Butler University – Matt Lancaster
California Polytechnic State University – Sullivan Grosz
Campbell University – Michael Rudisill
Carson-Newman College – Curt Duncan
College of the Holy Cross – Gary Acquah
Cornell University – Jeff Mathews
Dakota State University – Ronnie Jorgensen
Davidson College – Weston Hawkins
Eastern Kentucky University – Ichiro Vance
Edinboro University – Cody Harris
Elon University –- Miles Williams
Emory & Henry College – Kyle Boden
Franklin & Marshall College – Nick Porcelli
Georgia Southern University – Trevor McBurnett
Henderson State University – Kevin Rodgers
Hillsdale College – Steven Embry
Illinois State University – Colton Underwood
Indiana State University – FN Lutz
Johns Hopkins University – Vincenzo Bonaddio
Kenyon College – William David Brackett
Lafayette College – Brad Bormann
Loras College – Jordan Pontius
Marist College – Max Jacques
Mercyhurst University – Colin Kimball
Minnesota State University-Mankato – Sam Brockshus
Missouri State University – Caleb Schaffitzel
Montana State University – DeNarius McGhee
Morgan State University – Tyrell Okoro
Morningside College – Jordan Sitzmann
Muhlenberg College – Joe Carlucci
Murray State University – Sam Small
North Carolina Central University – Jordan Reid
North Dakota State University – Esley Thorton
Northwood University – Josh Sinagoga
Ohio Wesleyan University – Rayce Risser
Old Dominion University – Taylor Heinicke
Pittsburg State University – John Brown
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – Joe Cozzolino
Robert Morris University (Ill.) – Lamont Wims
Saint John's University (Minn.) – Colin Moynihan
Samford University – Jeremy Towns
Siena Heights University – Meiko McDaniel
South Dakota State University – Winston Wright
Southern Illinois University – Austin Pucylowski
St. Cloud State University – Phillip Klaphake
Stephen F. Austin State University – Garrick Smitherman
Stony Brook University – Marcus Coker
Tabor College – James Monroe
Tarleton State University – Kade Cole
Tennessee State University – Devin Wilson
Texas Lutheran University – Bradley Snowden
Thomas More College – Jake Fishburn
Trinity University (Texas) – Weslyn Wagner
Tusculum College – Bo Cordell
University of Delaware – Ryan Cobb
University of Dubuque – Tyson Carter
University of Montana – Jordan Tripp
University of Mount Union – Kevin Burke
University of Northern Iowa – Zach Cutkomp
University of Saint Francis (Ind.) – Joey Dynako
University of San Diego – Thomas Cobbs
University of Sioux Falls – Carrington Hanna
University of St. Thomas (Minn.) – Willie Schneider
University of Tennessee-Martin – Taino Fears-Perez
University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) – Mitchell Mascaro
Washington University (Mo.) – Andrew Skalman
Wayne State University (Mich.) – Chet Privett
Waynesburg University – Thomas Paulone
West Chester University – Rich Bruno
West Texas A&M University – Dustin Vaughan
Westminster College – David Wright
Wilkes University – Tyler Berntsen
Winona State University – Ryan Gerts
Wittenberg University – Reed Florence
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.
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.
