NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Senior defensive lineman Bryan Doolittle of Texas Lutheran University and senior wide receiver Matthew Kennemer of Trinity University have earned nominations to the 2014 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
For 23 years the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team has served as one of the most coveted and prestigious off-the-field honors in college football. The award recognizes players whose charitable involvement and community service contributions stand out among all other student-athletes participating in the sport. Today, Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced a record-breaking 182 nominees from across the country who represent the sport's finest in the areas of volunteerism and leadership among their peers.
Since its establishment in 1992, the award has existed to pay tribute to the "good" in college football that extends beyond the wins and the losses. While balancing academics and athletics, this select group of student-athletes nominated by their respective colleges and universities has committed their limited free time to having a lasting impact on their communities.
Doolittle, senior defensive lineman from Houston, Texas, recorded 10.5 tackles for loss for 42 yards and four quarterback sacks for 25 yards. He also registered five quarterback hurries, a recovered fumble, a forced fumble and two blocked kicks as he earned first team All-SCAC honors in 2013. He was most recently named a First Team Preseason All-American by USA Football.
Kennemer, a senior from Friendswood, Texas, was named the SCAC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year. He led the Tigers and the SCAC in punt return yardage (194 yards) and kick return yardage (438 yards). Kennemer also connected on 18-21 extra-point attempts (third in the SCAC). He finished third in field goal attempts (3-6) and scoring (51 points). In addition, Kennemer placed fourth in receiving yards (666 yards, with four touchdowns), and receiving yards per game (66.6 yards per game). He also was named to the Preseason All-American Team by USA Football, earning a spot on the third 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. 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 2014 Good Works Team.
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 or service group while maintaining a strong academic standing.
To see the complete list of nominees named to the 2014 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, click here.
