INDIANAPOLIS – Dec. 3, 2014 – The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and Allstate Insurance Company today announced the 251 nominees for the 2015 Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams®. This prestigious community service award recognizes a distinguished group of student-athletes who have demonstrated a commitment to enriching the lives of others and contributing to the greater good in their communities.
College sports information directors and basketball coaches across the country nominated players who exhibit exceptional leadership skills and an unwavering commitment to volunteerism. From the 158 NABC nominees and 93 WBCA nominees, distinguished voting panels will select two 10-member teams comprised of five student-athletes from the NCAA® Division I level and five student-athletes from NCAA Divisions II, III and the NAIA. The final roster of 20 award recipients will be unveiled in February.
"The accomplishments of student-athletes extend far beyond successes achieved on the court, and Allstate is proud to recognize this exceptional group of young men and women for the positive impact they are making in their communities," said Pam Hollander, vice president of marketing for Allstate Insurance Company and a member of the 2015 NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams® selection panels. "Their stories of powerful and selfless acts, shared by SIDs and coaches across the nation, represent the best of collegiate student-athletes and serve as an inspiration to us all."
For the third year, the Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams® help spotlight the off-the-court good works and service to others that often goes unnoticed and unrewarded. From creating organizations benefitting at-risk youth to volunteering overseas to help impoverished communities, there are countless remarkable stories of service among this year's group of nominees. As full-time students and athletes, these players choose to dedicate their limited free time to improving the lives of those around them.
"The Allstate WBCA Good Works Team® is a prominent award that honors those student-athletes who serve the community," said Danielle Donehew, executive director of the WBCA. "We celebrate the commitment these 93 nominees have made to their respective communities and we are grateful to Allstate for recognizing these individuals for their exceptional efforts."
Members of the Allstate NABC Good Works Team® will be invited by Allstate, an official corporate partner of the NCAA, to the 2015 NABC Convention and 2015 NCAA Men's Final Four® in Indianapolis, where they will participate in a community project benefitting the host city. Members of the Allstate WBCA Good Works Team® will be recognized during the 2015 WBCA Convention and at the 2015 NCAA Women's Final Four® in Tampa Bay, and will also participate in a local community project. Allstate is an official corporate partner of the NABC, WBCA and NCAA.
"In this third year of the Allstate NABC Good Works Team® program, we had an overwhelming response with 158 nominations for 2015," said NABC Executive Director Jim Haney. "There are so many young men and women in college basketball today who make extraordinary and selfless contributions locally, nationally and globally. This is a tremendous opportunity to not only recognize the best of the best but honor all of these student-athletes for their achievements away from the court."
Former Duke University student-athlete, two-time NCAA champion and seven-time NBA All-Star Grant Hill will headline the Allstate NABC Good Works Team® voting panel, while WNBA basketball star Tamika Catchings, who played at the University of Tennessee, will serve on the Allstate WBCA Good Works Team® panel. In addition to Hollander, Hill and Catchings, the 2015 Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams® selection panel members include: former college basketball student-athletes Greg Anthony (UNLV), Mateen Cleaves (Michigan State) and Alana Beard (Duke); former head coaches Bobby Cremins (College of Charleston), Seth Greenberg (Virginia Tech), Marsha Sharp (Texas Tech) and Nell Fortner (Auburn); current college basketball coach Coquese Washington (Penn State); and media members Seth Davis (Sports Illustrated/CBS), Dana O'Neil (ESPN), Carolyn Peck (ESPN) and LaChina Robinson (ESPN/FOX).
Since 2008, Allstate has worked with the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) as 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. Through an arrangement with the AFCA, NABC and WBCA, Allstate has been able to expand the Good Works Team® to also recognize college basketball student-athletes at all levels who donate their time and effort to make a difference off the court.
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 2015 Allstate NABC Good Works Team®:
NCAA Division I
Abilene Christian University – Parker Wentz
American University – Darius "Pee Wee" Gardner
Appalachian State University – Michael Obacha
Arizona State University – Sai Tummala
Auburn University – KT Harrell
Belmont University – Reece Chamberlain
Brigham Young University – Tyler Haws
Central Michigan University – Chris Fowler
College of Charleston – Canyon Barry
Creighton University – Austin Chatman
Duke University – Marshall Plumlee
East Carolina University – Caleb White
Eastern Kentucky University – Deverin Muff
Fairleigh Dickinson University – Mustafaa Jones
Florida State University – Aaron Thomas
Fordham University – Bryan Smith
Fresno State University – Alex Davis
George Mason University – Marko Gujanicic
Georgia State University – R.J. Hunter
Georgetown University – Jabril Trawick
Gonzaga University – Kevin Pangos
Hofstra University – Dion Nesmith
Illinois State University – Bobby Hunter
Indiana State University – Justin Gant
Iowa State University – Georges Niang
Kansas State University – Brian Rohleder
Marist College – Tourron Whitfield
McNeese State University – Kevin Hardy
Mercer University – Darious Moten
Michigan State University – Travis Trice
Middle Tennessee State University – Jacquez Rozier
Morgan State University – Blake Bozeman
North Carolina Central University – Karamo Jawara
North Carolina State University – Ralston Turner
Northwestern University – Tre Demps
Oakland University – Corey Petros
Penn State University – Kevin Montminy
Quinnipiac University – Zaid Hearst
Rice University – Max Guercy
Rider University – Emerson Bursis
Saint Joseph's University – Chris Wilson
Sam Houston State University – DeMarcus Gatlin
Santa Clara University – Dominic Romeo
Siena College – Brett Bisping
Stanford University – Chasson Randle
Stephen F. Austin State University – Jacob Parker
Stony Brook University – Rayshaun McGrew
Syracuse University – Rakeem Christmas
Texas A&M University – Jordan Green
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi – Cole Martinez
Texas Tech University – Clark Lammert
The Citadel – Quinton Marshall
THE Ohio State University – Shannon Scott
University of California, Los Angeles– Norman Powell
University of Arizona – T.J. McConnell
University of California, Berkeley – David Kravish
University of California-Irvine – Mamadou Ndiaye
University of Colorado – Josh Scott
University of Denver – Brett Olson
University of Georgia – Marcus Thornton
University of Houston – Mikhail McLean
University of Iowa – Aaron White
University of Maryland-Eastern Shore – Ishaq Pitt
University of Memphis – Shaq Goodwin
University of Nebraska – Shavon Shields
University of Nebraska-Omaha – Kyler Erickson
University of North Carolina – Marcus Paige
University of North Carolina-Asheville – Corey Littlejohn
University of North Carolina-Wilmington – Cedrick Williams
University of Northern Colorado – Cody McDavis
University of Northern Iowa – Max Martino
University of Notre Dame – Pat Connaughton
University of Pittsburgh – Cameron Wright
University of Richmond – Kendall Anthony
University of San Diego – Johnny Dee
University of South Carolina – Michael Carrera
University of South Carolina Upstate – Ty Greene
University of South Dakota – Brandon Bos
University of Tennessee – Josh Richardson
University of Texas – Tarale Murry
University of the Pacific – T.J. Wallace
University of Toledo – Justin Drummond
University of Utah – Brandon Taylor
University of Virginia – Malcolm Brogdon
University of Wisconsin – Josh Gasser
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee – Matt Tiby
U.S. Naval Academy (Navy) – Kevin Alter
Utah State University – Sean Harris
Valparaiso University – Alec Peters
Vanderbilt University – James Siakam
Villanova University – Ryan Arcidiacono
Wagner College – Greg Senat
Wake Forest University – Aaron Rountree III
West Virginia University – Juwan Staten
Wofford College – Jeremiah Tate
Wright State University – Kendall Griffin
Xavier University – Matt Stainbrook
Yale University – Javier Duren
NCAA Divisions II, III and the NAIA
Alma College – DJ Beckman
Anderson University – Myson Jones
Austin College – Cody Meyers
Belmont Abbey College – Justin Kuhlman
Bethany College – Devin Smith
Bluefield State College – Avery Holliday
Caldwell University – Michael Balkovic
California Institute of Technology – Rob Anderson
Cardinal Stritch University – Tony Smit
Carroll College – Ian Lorang
Cedarville University – Marcus Reineke
Coker College – Deion Craig
Columbia (Mo.) College – Zach Rockers
Delta State University – Jack Madgen
Dominican University of California – Matt Hayes
Franklin & Marshall College – Lior Levy
Geneva College – Tyler Damazo
Hilbert College – Trevor Stark
Illinois Wesleyan University – Dylan Overstreet
Indiana University East – Tyler Fangman
Johns Hopkins University – George Bugarinovic
Kalamazoo College – Scott Wharam
Kansas Wesleyan University – Dylan Hidalgo
LaGrange College – Jalen Butler
Lancaster Bible College – Albert Suniga
Life University – Jonathan Beausejour
Lindsey Wilson College – Tony Horne
Lynn University – T.J. Bullock
Lyon College – Riley Jenkins
Macalester College – Dylan Kilgour
Maine Maritime Academy – Zachary Radcliffe
Marywood University – Shane Kellaher
Northwood University – Julian Smith
Oklahoma Baptist University – Cale Jackson
Penn State Altoona – Joel Redfoot
Pittsburg State University – Sam Pugh
Ripon College – Jordan Stiede
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology – Jordan Dick
Southern Connecticut State University – Luke Houston
Springfield College – Nick Sienkiewicz
Sterling College – Matt Swank
Sul Ross State University – Zakk Revelle
State University of New York College at Old Westbury – Nat Vaughan
Swarthmore College – Karl Barkley
Tarleton State University – Jakob Damstra
Trinity College – George Papadeas
Truett-McConnell College – David Ward
Union University – Zach Phillips
University of Arkansas Monticello – Sharif Hudson
University of Chicago – Eric Robinson
University of Mary Washington – Taylor Johnson
University of West Alabama – Justin Wright
University of West Florida – Justin Williams
Virginia State University – Lamar Kearse
Wayne State University – Michael Lewis
West Liberty University – C.J. Hester
Westminster College (Pa.) – Johnny Arcuri
Willamette University – Matt Logan
William Jessup University – Matt Thompson
Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Sam Longwell
The following student-athletes have been nominated for consideration to be named to the 2015 Allstate WBCA Good Works Team®:
NCAA Division I
Arizona State University – Sophie Brunner
Bradley University – Fantasia Vine
Campbell University – Juli Osborne
Colgate University – Carole Harris
College of the Holy Cross – Raquel Scott
College of William & Mary – Kyla Kerstetter
Columbia University – Devon Roeper
Drake University – Kyndal Clark
Duke University – Elizabeth Williams
East Carolina University – Abria Trice
Florida State University – Emiah Bingley
Georgetown University – Ki-Ke Rafiu
Georgia Institute of Technology – Kaela Davis
Harvard University – AnnMarie Healy
Manhattan College – Jacqui Thompson
Marist College – Maggie Gallagher
Mississippi State University – Savannah Carter
North Carolina State University – Ashley Eli
Northwestern University – Alex Cohen
Oakland University – Elena Popkey
Penn State University – Tori Waldner
Pepperdine University – Bria Richardson
Quinnipiac University – Jasmine Martin
Rice University – Christal Porter
Rider University – Marritta Gillcrease
Seattle University – Renee Dillard-Brown
South Dakota State University – Megan Stuart
St. Francis College – Sarah Benedetti
Saint Louis University – Desirae Ball
Stephen F. Austin State University – Brittney Matthew
Stony Brook University – Brittany Snow
Texas Tech University – Minta Spears
Tulane University – Jamie Kaplan
University of Alabama – Nikki Hegstetter
University of Colorado – Jasmine Sborov
University of Delaware – Stephanie Leon
University of Denver – Theresa Wirth
University of Florida – Kayla Lewis
University of Iowa – Kali Peschel
University of Kentucky – Bria Goss
University of Maine – Elizabeth Wood
University of Maryland, Baltimore County – Pandora Wilson
University of Michigan – Nicole Elmblad
University of Nevada – Julia Shelbourn
University of New Mexico – Antiesha Brown
University of Pittsburgh – Brianna Kiesel
University of South Carolina – Elem Ibiam
University of Tennessee – Cierra Burdick
University of Toledo – Sophie Reecher
University of Utah – Danielle Rodriguez
University of Virginia – Sarah Beth Barnette
University of Wisconsin – Michala Johnson
Vanderbilt University – Kendall Shaw
West Virginia University – Averee Fields
Western Kentucky University – Alexis Govan
Wichita State University – Alex Harden
NCAA Divisions II, III and the NAIA
Brooklyn College – Sarah Shanderson
Carson-Newman University – Jai Jai McLaughlin
Coker College – Kelley Godbout
Concordia University, St. Paul – Anika Whiting
Davenport University – Linnea Brandholm
Delta State University – Rhandi Ball
Drew University – Erin Howard
Gannon University – Brittany Batts
Georgia College & State University – Shanteona Keys
Hope College – Rebekah Llorens
Johns Hopkins University – Kathryn Clark
King University – Tia Keitt
Lakeland College – Callie Olson
Lehman College – Jennifer Navarro
Loyola University – Megan Whittaker
McKendree University – Caty Ponce
Montana State University-Northern – Taylor Cummings
Moravian College – Alexis Wright
Nova Southeastern University – Jessica Valley
Ohio Dominican University – Kacee Hockenberry
Pittsburg State University – Kylie Gafford
Rhodes College – Dy'Nelle Todman
Rockhurst University – Taylor Skala
Southern Connecticut State University – Nicole Grossbard
State University of New York College at Geneseo – Lea Sobieraski
State University of New York College at Old Westbury – Raven Pentz
Stevenson University – Kayleigh Guzek
Tarleton State University – Karli Moore
Union University – Emily Sissom
University of Mary Washington – Claire Haeuptle
University of Missouri - St Louis – Kelly McGovern
University of Montevallo – Katie Colson
University of Pittsburgh-Bradford – Alicia Kimmel
Wayne State College – Ashton Yossi
Wheaton College (Mass.) – Kenzie Kuhn
Wingate University – Jasmine DeBerry
Yeshiva University – Stephanie Greenberg
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.