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Business Wire
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Record-breaking 197 student-athletes nominated for the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association today announced a record-breaking 197 nominees for the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, the highest in the award's 34-year history. College football student-athletes and head coaches from all levels of the sport are recognized for their commitment to community service and leadership beyond the gridiron. 'I've been a part of this team, and these players aren't just showing up, they're standing out,' said Sam Acho, ESPN analyst, former NFL linebacker, author and 2010 Good Works Team member and Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient. 'Their commitment to service creates lasting change and inspires the next generation.' Nominees' service spans mental health to homelessness This year's nominees are tackling issues such as youth mentorship, mental wellness, homelessness and health care access. A few examples: Charlie Pearson, Johns Hopkins, Offensive Line: A certified EMT who has responded to over 150 emergency calls while also mentoring youth, expanding access to nutritious food, and advocating for mental health and pediatric care. Dylan Wheeler, Saint John's University (MN), Wide Receiver: Raised over $25,000 for Folds of Honor and helped provide nearly 100,000 meals for children through donations and seasonal fundraisers. Michael Taaffe, University of Texas, Defensive Back: Founded Taaffe's Tackles for Fentanyl Awareness in memory of a friend, turning personal loss into a movement for education and support statewide. Sonny Styles, Ohio State, Linebacker: Raised over $43,000 through an annual Sleep Out to support at-risk and homeless youth in Central Ohio, providing essential items and year-round advocacy. Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame, Offensive Line: Leads initiatives at Notre Dame focused on personal growth and career readiness, advocates for rare disease awareness as president of Notre Dame's Uplifting Athletes chapter and builds connections through youth development programs. Allstate and Wuerffel Foundation Elevate Impact For the second year, Allstate is partnering with the Wuerffel Foundation to align two of college football's most meaningful honors: the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy. Together, they recognize student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in community service, academics and athletics. 'When nearly 200 young athletes choose to serve, it creates a ripple effect far beyond the game,' said Danny Wuerffel, former NFL quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer for whom the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is named. 'Their leadership in the community is just as worthy of recognition as their performance on the field.' Team Roster Named this Fall The final roster of 23 award recipients announced in September will bring together: 11 players from the NCAA FBS 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) 1 honorary head coach A voting panel of former Good Works Team members, head coaches and journalists select the team roster based on outstanding leadership on and off the field. Meet the Full List of 2025 Nominees (alphabetically by college): Football Bowl Subdivision (D-1) Name School Ethan Johnson Appalachian State University Coben Bourguet Arizona State University Corey Rucker Jr. Arkansas State University Jeremiah Wright Auburn University Kiael Kelly Ball State University Sawyer Robertson Baylor University Marco Notarainni Boise State University Alex Broome Boston College Drew Pyne Bowling Green State University Tanner Wall Brigham Young University Michael Heldman Central Michigan University Adam Randall Clemson University Jayden Jackson Coastal Carolina University Chandler Rivers Duke University Marlon Gunn Jr. East Carolina University Jefferson Adam Eastern Michigan University Caden Veltkamp Florida Atlantic University Shamir Sterlin Florida International University Richie Leonard IV Florida State University Jordan Brown Fresno State Pichon Wimbley Georgia Institute of Technology Haynes King Georgia Southern University Fernando Mendoza Indiana University Bloomington Rocco Becht Iowa State University Blake Kendall James Madison University Damian Ilalio Kansas State University JeRico Washington, Jr. Kennesaw State University Mattheus Carroll Kent State University Elijah Auguste Liberty University Harold Perkins Jr. Louisiana State University Eli Finley Louisiana Tech University Toby Payne Marshall University Jordan Hall Michigan State University Nicholas Vattiato Middle Tennessee State University Jacoby Jackson Mississippi State University Allen Ortiz New Mexico State University Brandon Cleveland North Carolina State University Abiathar Curry Northern Illinois University Najee Story Northwestern University Koa Naotala Old Dominion University Dylan Black Oregon State University Cooper Cousins Pennsylvania State University Devin Mockobee Purdue University Plae Wyatt Rice University Jai Patel Rutgers University Taniela Latu San Jose State University Alexander Kilgore Southern Methodist University Sam Roush Stanford University Derek McDonald Syracuse University Willy Love Temple University Albert Regis Texas A&M University Paul Oyewale Texas Christian University Lincoln Pare Texas State University Behren Morton Texas Tech University Sonny Styles The Ohio State University Ty Thompson Tulane University Red Murdock University at Buffalo Keylen Davis University of Akron LT Overton University of Alabama Denver Warren University of Alabama at Birmingham Genesis Smith University of Arizona Cam Ball University of Arkansas Jeffery Johnson University of California, Berkeley Julian Armella University of California, Los Angeles Paul Rubelt University of Central Florida Gavin Gerhardt University of Cincinnati Charlie Offerdahl University of Colorado Boulder Jake Thaw University of Delaware DJ Lagway University of Florida Jordan Hall University of Georgia Logan Taylor University of Hawaii Kenenna Odeluga University of Illinois Gennings Dunker University of Iowa Leyton Cure University of Kansas Josh Kattus University of Kentucky Caden Jensen University of Louisiana Elijah Fisher University of Louisiana at Monroe Clev Lubin University of Louisville Ethan Gough University of Maryland Brock Taylor University of Massachusetts Amherst Donovan Mathena University of Memphis Francis Mauigoa University of Miami Anthony Smith University of Minnesota Diego Pounds University of Mississippi Connor Tollison University of Missouri Teddy Prochazka University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cameron Friel University of Nevada, Las Vegas Will Hardy University of North Carolina Braden Mullen University of North Carolina, Charlotte Landon Sides University of North Texas Aamil Wagner University of Notre Dame Robert Spears-Jennings University of Oklahoma Matthew Bedford University of Oregon Eli Holstein University of Pittsburgh Devin Voisin University of South Alabama Oscar Adaway III University of South Carolina Christian Helms University of South Florida Anthony Beavers Jr. University of Southern California Braylon Braxton University of Southern Mississippi Bryson Eason University of Tennessee Michael Taaffe University of Texas Tyron McDuffie III University of Texas at El Paso Camron Cooper University of Texas at San Antonio Matt Hofer University of Toledo Stephen Kittleman University of Tulsa Devon Dampier University of Utah Stevie Bracey University of Virginia Zach Durfee University of Washington Ricardo Hallman University of Wisconsin-Madison Evan Svoboda University of Wyoming Bronson Olevao Jr. Utah State University Tyson Flowers Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Zamari Stevenson Wake Forest University Zevi Eckhaus Washington State University Nicco Marchiol West Virginia University Marshall Jackson Western Kentucky University Tyson Lee Western Michigan University Expand Combined Divisions (FSC, D-II, D-III & NAIA) Name School Carter St. John Alma College Jaden Cook Ashland University Chandler Kirton Austin Peay State University Jackson Dooley Benedictine College Christian Lewis Berry College Devin Williams Bethel University Terian Williams II Bucknell University Mark Biggins Campbell University Mitchell Stokey Carnegie Mellon University Will Campbell Carroll University Jaylen Hinton Catawba College Nick Bandy Central College Mark Chapman Columbia University Adam Van Cleave Concordia University, Nebraska Cole Paulson Dakota State University Mikah Kent Davidson College Canyon Schneider Denison University Sean McTaggart East Stroudsburg University Nolan Ulm Eastern Washington University Carter Sido Hampden-Sydney College Ryan Osborne Harvard University Auvic White Hendrix College Connor Pratt Hillsdale College Isaiah Courtois Indiana Wesleyan University Owen Schuckert John Carroll University Charlie Pearson Johns Hopkins University Rene Barber Marist University Tristen Hall McMurry University Erick Hunter Morgan State University Lennx Brown Morningside University Bryson Ruddy North Carolina A&T State University Logan Kopp North Dakota State University Alani Ma'afu Northern Arizona University Massimo Vliet Oberlin College Louis Blasiole Ohio Northern University Josh Hurst Ohio Wesleyan University Evan Haynie Princeton University Dylan Wheeler Saint John's University (Minn.) Michael Henwood Slippery Rock University Adedokun Alarape South Dakota Mines DJ Brown Southeastern Oklahoma State University Casey Cobb Southern Arkansas University Tyler Pohlman Springfield College Kasyus Kurns Tarleton State University Matthew Iwamizu The College of Idaho Donovon Jackson The College of Wooster Caleb Bayer Trinity University Hunter Ridley UC Davis Giovanni Kennedy University of Mount Union Simon Romfo University of North Dakota Levi Johnson University of Northern Colorado Will Bergin University of Pennsylvania Hayden Teeter University of Puget Sound Brian Catanzarite University of Richmond Traveon Newsome University of the Incarnate Word Chris Dobrydney Villanova University Fred Ware Washington University in St. Louis Dominic Rienzi Western Connecticut State University Dylan Sleva Westminster College (Pa.) Jalen Jones William & Mary Daylin Lee Winston-Salem State University Mario Getaw Wittenberg University Mason Shipp Yale University Expand Head Coach Name School Jeff Monken Army West Point Spencer Danielson Boise State University Jeff Lebby Mississippi State University Gary Fasching Saint John's University (Minn.) Fran Brown Syracuse University Todd Whitten Tarleton State University K.C. Keeler Temple University Kris McCullough The University of Texas Permian Basin Kory Allen University of Findlay Willie Fritz University of Houston Bret Bielema University of Illinois Ryan Silverfield University of Memphis Brent Venables University of Oklahoma Shane Beamer University of South Carolina Alex Golesh University of South Florida Chris Winter Wartburg College Expand About the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff off the field. AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate worked to present the award starting with the 2008 season. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) leads all conferences with 89 selections to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team since it began in 1992. The SEC is followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with 55 selections and the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 43 selections. Georgia is in first place with 24 honorees to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The Bulldogs are followed by Kentucky and Bethel (Minn.) with 18 honorees. About the AFCA The American Football Coaches Association (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.' For more information about the AFCA, visit If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Request Form. About the Wuerffel Foundation The Wuerffel Foundation is dedicated to supporting Danny Wuerffel's mission to inspire greater service and unity in the world, built on the three values of excellence, service and humility. As a recognized humanitarian, Danny mentors community leaders and connects them with philanthropic resources. The foundation annually presents the prestigious Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, college football's premier award for community service, and hosts the Desire Cup and PickleBowl events. About the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, a member of the National College Football Awards Association, is college football's premier award for community service. The trophy is presented annually by the Wuerffel Foundation to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership and performance on and off the field. Named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer, Danny Wuerffel, the award honors his commitment to inspiring greater service and unity in the world. Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year. Wuerffel led the University of Florida to four SEC Championships and the 1996 National Championship. As a humanitarian, he continues to inspire leaders to positively impact their communities. Danny currently serves as President of the Wuerffel Foundation and Executive Director of Desire Street Ministries. An avid pickleball player, he was drafted as a professional within the National Pickleball League and hosts celebrity pro-am 'PickleBowl' tournaments.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Youth Futures supports at-risk and homeless Utah children
Kristen Mitchell and her team have been supporting Utah's youth for the last 10 years. With overnight shelter, drop-in services and street outreach, Mitchell says the Youth Futures organization has changed countless lives and helped to lessen the cycle of homelessness at no cost to the kids. As founder, Mitchell's involvement began one winter night while working on a mental health hotline for youth. During a conversation with a young boy, she found her new calling. 'He was in a park and wouldn't tell me where he was, but he was feeling suicidal, had no place to go and was very distraught,' Mitchell recalled. 'I talked to him on the phone for hours. … I stayed awake the rest of the night. When my husband woke up, I told him the story and said, 'If someone is going to do us, it's going to be us.'' Mitchell immediately got to work developing a homeless youth shelter for kids ages 12-18 and transitional living for those 16-22. In 2015, she opened her first shelter in Ogden. Since then, Youth Futures has opened shelters and transitional living centers in St. George and Cedar City. One of the most important guiding principles of the organization was never turning youth away. Youth Futures is open 24/7 and provides access to laundry, computer access, overnight shelter, support groups, art therapy, pregnancy prevention and a myriad of other courses. 'If you can think about it, we offer it. If we don't offer it, and a kid needs it, we will figure out how to help build it,' Mitchell said. Youth Futures is made possible by grants, fundraisers, donations and the annual Sleep Out event. The event has attendees sleep outside to raise money and ensure that youth will not have to be on the streets. Other sponsors include Havenwood Academy, a girls' trauma treatment facility that consistently donates and brings girls to help with yard work at the facility. With all the life-changing work that happens within Youth Futures, one of the biggest obstacles has been altering the public's perception of the youth. 'There is a lot of stigma that goes on with homeless kids,' Mitchell confessed. 'They get marked as runaways or difficult kids. That is really not what these kids are dealing with. These kids are homeless and unaccompanied for reasons that are not their own.' The stories of what led the youth to homelessness have been heartbreaking to Mitchell and only resolved her drive to help in whatever way she can. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the organization. 'Statistics show that kids are four times more likely to become homeless adults if they become homeless as a kid. If we can intervene early and help these kids build the life skills and resiliency that they need, they will be more likely to be successful and stay out of homelessness,' Mitchell explained. Over the past 10 years, 80% of the youth served by Youth Futures have not entered the adult homeless system, according to Mitchell. The staggering statistics prove to Mitchell and her army of volunteers and employees that they are making a difference. With many youth-facing programs constantly being rolled out, Youth Futures sets itself apart by consistently providing positive programs. 'Our motto is 'We serve kids no matter what.' We check our judgment at our door and meet the kids where they are at,' Mitchell explained. 'We are very youth-centered. When a kid sets their goals, it is their goals, not our suggestions of goals. We will help them down whatever path they choose. We run on positive youth development.' For more information or to volunteer with Youth Futures, visit its website.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Youth Futures supports at-risk and homeless Utah children
Kristen Mitchell and her team have been supporting Utah's youth for the last 10 years. With overnight shelter, drop-in services and street outreach, Mitchell says the Youth Futures organization has changed countless lives and helped to lessen the cycle of homelessness at no cost to the kids. As founder, Mitchell's involvement began one winter night while working on a mental health hotline for youth. During a conversation with a young boy, she found her new calling. 'He was in a park and wouldn't tell me where he was, but he was feeling suicidal, had no place to go and was very distraught,' Mitchell recalled. 'I talked to him on the phone for hours. … I stayed awake the rest of the night. When my husband woke up, I told him the story and said, 'If someone is going to do us, it's going to be us.'' Mitchell immediately got to work developing a homeless youth shelter for kids ages 12-18 and transitional living for those 16-22. In 2015, she opened her first shelter in Ogden. Since then, Youth Futures has opened shelters and transitional living centers in St. George and Cedar City. One of the most important guiding principles of the organization was never turning youth away. Youth Futures is open 24/7 and provides access to laundry, computer access, overnight shelter, support groups, art therapy, pregnancy prevention and a myriad of other courses. 'If you can think about it, we offer it. If we don't offer it, and a kid needs it, we will figure out how to help build it,' Mitchell said. Youth Futures is made possible by grants, fundraisers, donations and the annual Sleep Out event. The event has attendees sleep outside to raise money and ensure that youth will not have to be on the streets. Other sponsors include Havenwood Academy, a girls' trauma treatment facility that consistently donates and brings girls to help with yard work at the facility. With all the life-changing work that happens within Youth Futures, one of the biggest obstacles has been altering the public's perception of the youth. 'There is a lot of stigma that goes on with homeless kids,' Mitchell confessed. 'They get marked as runaways or difficult kids. That is really not what these kids are dealing with. These kids are homeless and unaccompanied for reasons that are not their own.' The stories of what led the youth to homelessness have been heartbreaking to Mitchell and only resolved her drive to help in whatever way she can. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the organization. 'Statistics show that kids are four times more likely to become homeless adults if they become homeless as a kid. If we can intervene early and help these kids build the life skills and resiliency that they need, they will be more likely to be successful and stay out of homelessness,' Mitchell explained. Over the past 10 years, 80% of the youth served by Youth Futures have not entered the adult homeless system, according to Mitchell. The staggering statistics prove to Mitchell and her army of volunteers and employees that they are making a difference. With many youth-facing programs constantly being rolled out, Youth Futures sets itself apart by consistently providing positive programs. 'Our motto is 'We serve kids no matter what.' We check our judgment at our door and meet the kids where they are at,' Mitchell explained. 'We are very youth-centered. When a kid sets their goals, it is their goals, not our suggestions of goals. We will help them down whatever path they choose. We run on positive youth development.' For more information or to volunteer with Youth Futures, visit its website.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
In solidarity with the teens it serves, Waypoint will hold a different kind of sleepout
ROCHESTER — With its largest fundraising coming up on March 21, Waypoint, which offers support services to homeless youth, faced a dilemma. In its Grants Pass v. Johnson ruling in July 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court gave cities and towns across the nation the power to criminally prosecute people who are sleeping outside on public property, even if the city or town does not offer a shelter. In the wake of that ruling the homeless youth served by Waypoint have reported being harassed. In order not to accept a privilege denied to their clients, Waypoint decided not to hold its large annual group sleepout to end youth homelessness, but instead to encourage individuals and small groups to find alternative ways to be outdoors and raise funds for the homeless youth. More: Sleeping on public property can be a crime if you're homeless, Supreme Court says Mandy Lancaster, director of Waypoint's Homeless Youth and Young Adult services, said the decision is intended to honor the homeless youth they serve, young people who she said are being harassed when they have to sleep outside. "With nearly 15,000 youth experiencing homelessness in New Hampshire each year, Waypoint's 11th annual SleepOut on March 21 aims to raise awareness and funds to address this critical issue," said Kristen Lestock, a Waypoint spokesperson. "This experiential fundraising event supports essential services, including the state's only low-barrier emergency youth shelter and youth drop-in centers in Manchester and Rochester." This year, advocates will sleep remotely outside at a location of their choice due to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling. "We were presented with an ethical dilemma," Lancaster said. "Our young people came to us and said they were hurt by our intention to do the event. They told us they are getting tickets (some of which we have paid through our legal fund), are being harassed daily. So even though we truly believe in this cause, this event, we know the young people we work with deal with dangerous situations. They try to be inside in the cold weather but when it gets warmer, they naturally tend to move outside. We hope we do not take a financial hit on money we use for programs to help them, but we are willing to risk it, to make a stand. "We held many meetings, agonized over this, but the young people we talked with really felt it was unfair that we would be allowed to hold the event, to sleep outside when they are being persecuted for it," she said. "We will respect that." Lancaster said they understand the implication of not doing the event. They are aware, and hope they are wrong, but they fear this move could have a negative impact on this, one of their biggest fundraisers. "But we feel strongly it is the right decision," she said. Instead, Waypoint will hold an event at a Bronstein Park in Manchester, and then people are encouraged to sleep outside at a location of their choosing, mostly on private property. People can make monetary donations to help by visiting Ways to Give and Support Our Programs | Waypoint. This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: In solidarity with the teens it serves, Waypoint changes fundraiser
