Allstate and NACDA unveil nominees for inaugural Good Works Team, celebrating all college sports, athletes

Nearly 200 student-athletes across collegiate winter sports are recognized for giving back to their communities as part of the newly expanded Good Works Team.

NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Allstate and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) proudly honor 193 student-athletes excelling in academics, sports and community impact. Nominated by athletics administrators, conference office staff, and coaches, these student-athletes embody leadership, service and character and will now be considered for selection to the inaugural Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Winter).

“These young women and men are more than competitors – they’re leaders, changemakers and role models,” said Holly Rowe, ESPN reporter, play-by-play commentator and Allstate NACDA Ambassador. “Their influence extends beyond the game, shaping communities and teaching others the value of leadership skills, like empathy, resilience and integrity, which will last a lifetime.”

Nominees at-a-glance

The 2024-25 Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Winter) celebrates 193 nominees – 115 women and 78 men – spanning 17 sports, including basketball, swimming and diving, gymnastics, ice hockey and many others. Nominees include:

• Sierra Ballard – Louisiana State University, Women’s Gymnastics
• Paige Bueckers – University of Connecticut, Women’s Basketball
• Torie Buerger – University of Kentucky, Women’s Swimming & Diving
• Taylor Heie – Umpqua Community College, Women’s Indoor Track & Field
• KaLynn Irey – Stephens College, Women’s Basketball
• Sion James – Duke University, Men’s Basketball
• Emmanuela Katou-Kouami – University of the District of Columbia, Women's Indoor Track & Field
• Colby Kern – Saint John's University (Minn.), Men's Swimming & Diving
• Sophia Kyrkostas – SUNY Oswego, Women’s Hockey
• Ishmael Leggett – University of Pittsburgh, Men’s Basketball
• Jahmai Mashak – University of Tennessee, Men’s Basketball
• Jojo Randby – University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Women’s Swimming & Diving
• Kiani Saxon – Missouri Western State University, Men's Basketball
• Jacob Truscott – University of Michigan, Men’s Ice Hockey

The full list of 2024-25 Allstate NACDA Winter Good Works Team nominees is available here.

Nominations can be submitted for up to one female and one male student-athlete from each winter sport at an institution. Eligible schools and athletics programs must represent one of five intercollegiate athletics divisions: NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA and Junior/Community Colleges. Nominees must have completed at least one year (two semesters) of college coursework at a two-year or four-year institution.

The final 20-member team

A distinguished Selection Committee will select 20 nominees – 10 female and 10 male student-athletes – to join the 2024-25 Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Winter). The committee includes Rowe, ESPN analyst and former University of Texas and NFL linebacker Sam Acho, and other esteemed members:

• Elizabeth Brady– Chief marketing, customer and communications officer, Allstate
• Ross Bjork – Senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith Endowed athletics director, The Ohio State University; NACDA president
• Dan Guerrero – Retired director of athletics, UCLA; NACDA past president
• Brian Henderson – Athletics director/assistant vice president of student engagement and inclusion, Patrick & Henry Community College; NACDA Executive Committee, NATYCAA 1st vice president
• Reagan Rossi – Vice president of athletics, College of Idaho; NACDA Executive Committee, NAIA-ADA president
• Etienne Thomas – Director of athletics, Winston-Salem State University; NACDA Executive Committee, D2 ADA Board of Directors
• Natalie Winkelfoos – Associate vice president for athletics advancement and Delta Lodge director of athletics & physical education, Oberlin College; NACDA Executive Committee

A legacy of college sports

Announced in December, the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team builds on the legacy of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, which has celebrated college football players’ good work off the field since 1992. Now, 60 more student-athletes across all sports and all divisions will be honored annually – three groups of 20 representing the fall, winter and spring collegiate athletics seasons.

“Athletes in sports that don’t always make the headlines demonstrate the same dedication to service and leadership as any other competitor,” said Elizabeth Brady, Allstate’s chief marketing, customer and communications officer. “The overwhelmingly positive response to our first-ever Allstate NACDA Good Works Team shows how much this spotlight and support matters. We’re honored to share the stories of these inspiring student-athletes.”

About Allstate

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) protects people from life's uncertainties with a wide array of protection for autos, homes, electronic devices and identity theft. Products are available through a broad distribution network, including Allstate agents, independent agents and major retailers, online and at the workplace. Allstate is widely known for the slogan "You're in Good Hands with Allstate." For more information, visit allstate.com.

About NACDA

Now in its 60th year, NACDA is the professional and educational Association for more than 24,000 college athletics administrators at more than 2,300 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. NACDA manages 19 professional associations and four foundations. In addition to virtual programming, NACDA hosts and/or has a presence at seven major professional development events in-person annually. The NACDA & Affiliates Convention is the largest gathering of collegiate athletics administrators in the country. For more information, visit www.nacda.com.