Friday, July 26, 2013
by PFL Media Relations

WACO, Texas — Five Pioneer Football League student-athletes were among a record 150 nominated for the 2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^®, Friday. 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. 

The five PFL student-athletes nominated to the 2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^® were:

• Matt Lancaster, Butler
• Michael Rudisill, Campbell
• Weston Hawkins, Davidson
• Max Jacques, Marist
• Thomas Cobb, San Diego

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.