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Today, Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced the 22 student-athletes named to the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, one of the most prestigious off-the field honors in college football.
Among these 22 football players nationwide from all divisions is Macalester corner back
David Melms (Jr., Wauwatosa, Wis. / Wisconsin Lutheran).
Vote for Melms for team captain
For 20 years the award has recognized a select group of college football players committed to making a difference in their communities.
Melms has been a community service leader since arriving on campus in 2009. Melms is creating a program in the Twin Cities called "Stand Out" whose mission is to give youth a wide array of fun alternatives to drugs and alcohol. He founded Macalester's chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and has organized multiple service projects on behalf of the student organization. In 2010, the cornerback helped lead his team to its first winning season in 24 years and was tied for the team lead in interceptions.
A program record 132 players were nominated for the award this summer. From the nominations, a special voting panel, including former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® members and current college football broadcasters, selected 22 players from across the country to the team. Of the two 11-member teams, one comprises players competing in the NCAA® Football Bowl Subdivision and the other is a combined team representing the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III, and the NAIA.
The following players have been selected to the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®:
Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA), Divisions II, III, and NAIA
Name Cl. Pos. School Hometown
Byron Bell Sr. DL Carson-Newman Knoxville, Tenn.
Cory Nikkel Sr. TE Central (Iowa) Pella, Iowa
Jacob Heppner Sr. DB Central Methodist Mansfield, Mo.
Stoy Hall Sr. LB Drake Omaha, Neb.
David Melms Jr. DB Macalester Wauwatosa, Wis.
Kellen Cox Jr. WR Missouri Southern State Mount Vernon, Mo.
Colby Rohde Sr. TE Morningside Wathena, Kan.
Justin Belotti Sr. DB North Dakota Kenosha, Wis.
Yaser Elqutub Sr. LB Northwestern State Katy, Texas
Matt Greenhalgh Jr. OL Rhode Island Chepachet, R.I.
Ricky McClain Jr. DL SUNY Maritime Wantagh, N.Y.
Football Bowl Subdivision (I-A)
Name Cl. Pos. School Hometown
Robert Griffin Jr. QB Baylor Copperas Cove, Texas
Chris Potter Jr. WR Boise State Westlake Village, Calif.
Brian Lockridge Sr. RB Colorado Trabuco Canyon, Calif.
Aron White Sr. TE Georgia Columbia, Mo.
Jacob Lewellen Jr. DL Kentucky Louisville, Ky.
Jared Crick Sr. DL Nebraska Cozed, Neb.
Alexander Netter Sr. OL Northwestern Rohnert Park, Calif.
Dayne Crist Sr. QB Notre Dame Canoga Park, Calif.
Matt Barkley Jr. QB Southern California Newport Beach, Calif.
Wayne Tribue Sr. OL Temple York, Pa.
Emmanuel Acho Sr. LB Texas Dallas, Texas
Equally as remarkable as the service contributions of Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams of the past, this year's roster boasts an impressive list of credentials promoting service and volunteerism. From donating bone marrow to a cancer patient to mentoring children home and abroad to playing the piano for hospital patients, the selfless acts of these 22 student-athletes prove that tackles and touchdowns do not have to come at the expense of greatness off the field.
"The tremendous community service activities these young student-athletes participate in is exceptional," said Grant Teaff, Executive Director of the American Football Coaches Association. "These 22 student-athletes have sacrificed their personal time in an attempt to make their communities a better place. We couldn't be more proud to have these players make up the 20th Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®. We are also proud to be partnered with Allstate in recognizing these outstanding student-athletes."
Fans will be able to
vote for an Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® Captain by visiting ESPN.com and searching “Good Works”. By viewing the player profiles on the website, fans can learn more about this year's team members and their selfless acts of kindness. The Team Captain and his fellow award recipients will be invited to New Orleans to take part in a special volunteer project leading up to the 2012 Allstate® Sugar Bowl®.