Air Force's Dekker and Colorado State's Bell Nominated for 2008 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
Duo honored for achievements off the field
Aug. 7, 2008
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -
The Mountain West Conference has two student-athletes among the individuals nominated for the 2008 Allstate Insurance and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team.
Air Force's Travis Dekker and Colorado State's Kyle Bell are two of 71 college football players from across the nation whose involvement with charitable organizations and community service contributions stand out among the more than 50,000 student-athletes participating in the sport at all four-year collegiate institutions. From among the 71 nominations submitted by sports information directors on behalf of their team, a special selection committee assembled by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and Allstate will select two 11-player Good Works Teams - one composed of players competing in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (I-A) and a combined team representing players competing in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA), Divisions II, III, and the NAIA. The two Good Works Teams will be announced in September.
The student-athletes nominated for this prestigious honor embody the true spirit of "teamwork" and "giving back" through selfless contributions and commendable acts of kindness. During a time when off-the-field transgressions seem to dominate the news headlines, these players have quietly made a favorable impression on the organizations and people with which they
Dekker, a senior tight end from Albuquerque, N.M., made 25 receptions for 382 yards in 2007 on his way to receiving all-MWC honorable mention honors. The biochemistry major has been named to the superintendent's list for academic, military and athletic excellence during each of his semester at the Academy.
Bell, a senior running back, gained 691 yards on 180 carries (3.8 avg.) last season for the Rams, and averaged 57.6 rushing yards per game. The Keenesburg, Colo. native, who is studying technical journalism, earned Academic All-MWC distinction in 2004, 2005 and 2007.
Established in 1992, the AFCA Good Works Team recognizes the extra efforts made by collegiate football players and student support staff on the field. Each nominee to the Good Works Team must be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or community service while maintaining good academic standing.
| 2008 Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams Nominees |
| Football Bowl Subdivision (Div I-A) |
| Institution |
Name |
| Arizona State University | Keegan Herring |
| Ball State University | Brandon Crawford |
| Central Michigan University | Brian Brunner |
| Colorado State University | Kyle Bell |
| Duke University | Re'quan Boyette |
| Florida State University | Everette Brown |
| Indiana University | Austin Starr |
| Iowa State University | Euseph Messiah |
| Kansas State University | Jeron Mastrud |
| Middle Tennessee State University | Phillip Tanner |
| North Carolina State University | Andre Brown |
| Northern Illinois University | Matt Simon |
| Northwestern University | Eric Peterman |
| Ohio State University | James Laurinaitis |
| Rutgers University | Tiquan Underwood |
| Syracuse University | Lavar Lobdell |
| Temple University | Richard Sheppard |
| Texas Tech University | Brian Duncan |
| Tulane University | Craig Gelhardt |
| U.S. Air Force Academy | Travis Dekker |
| University of Arkansas | Jose Valdez |
| University of California | Alex Mack |
| University of Colorado | Maurice Cantrell |
| University of Connecticut | Brad Kanuch |
| University of Georgia | Mohamed Massaquoi |
| University of Illinois | Brit Miller |
| University of Kansas | Mike Rivera |
| University of Kentucky | Tim Masthay |
| University of Maryland | Jordan Steffy |
| University of Memphis | Dominik Riley |
| University of Nebraska | Todd Peterson |
| University of Notre Dame | Evan Sharpley |
| University of Oklahoma | Gerald McCoy |
| University of Pittsburgh | Scott McKillop |
| University of South Carolina | Eric Norwood |
| University of South Florida | George Selvie |
| University of Tennessee | Josh Briscoe |
| University of Texas | Colt McCoy |
| University of Toledo | John Allen |
| University of Wisconsin | Chris Pressley |
| Utah State University | Geno Odong |
| Virginia Tech | Orion Martin |
| Wake Forest University | Benjamin Wooster |
| West Virginia University | Tito Gonzales |
| Western Michigan University | Tim Hiller |
| Combined Divisions (I-AA II, III & NAIA) |
| Bethel University (Minn.) | Mike Ervin |
| Chadron State College | Joe McLain |
| Coastal Carolina University | Dominique Davenport |
| Colby College | Thomas Daley |
| Harvard University | Andrew Berry |
| Henderson State University | Nick Finley |
| Hillsdale College | Phil Davignon |
| Illinois State University | Kedric Meredith |
| Lehigh University | Brendan VanAckeren |
| McNeese State University | Kenneth Lundy |
| Missouri Western State University | Dustin Strickler |
| North Dakota State University | Tyler Roehl |
| Northern State University | Brian Jark |
| Sewanee: The University of the South | Tyler Brantley |
| Southern Illinois University | Larry Warner |
| Southwest Minnesota State University | Tyler Reed |
| St. Cloud State University | Rocky Horn |
| St. John's University (Minn.) | Jeff Schnobrich |
| University at Albany | Daniel Bocanegra |
| University of Central Arkansas | Taylor Scott |
| University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) | Paul Hughes |
| University of Montana | Colin Dow |
| University of Northern Colorado | Michael Van Portfliet |
| University of St. Thomas | Mikkel Haugen |
| Valparaiso University | Matt Mancl |
| Youngstown State University | Brian Mellott |
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