Allstate and NACDA announce nominees for the inauguration team, celebrating all college sports, athletes
Northbrook, Illinois, February 20, 2025 – Allstate and the National Association of Track and Field University Directors (NACDA) proudly respect the outstanding performance of 193 student-athletes in academic, athletic and community impact. Nominated by athletic administrators, conference office staff and coaches, these student-athletes embody leadership, service and character and will now be considered an option to participate in the inaugural Allstate Allstate NACDA Good Works team (Winter).
“These young men and women are more than just competitors – they are leaders, changers and role models,” Holly RoweESPN reporter, commentator by scene by scene and Allstate NACDA ambassador. “Their influence goes beyond the game, shaping the community and teaching others the value of leadership skills such as empathy, resilience and integrity that will last a lifetime.”
Nominee
2024-25 Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Winter) celebrates 193 nominees – 115 women and 78 men – covering 17 sports including basketball, swimming and diving, gymnastics, hockey and more. Nominees include:
- Seraballard – Louisiana State University, Women’s Gymnastics
- Paige Bueckers – University of Connecticut Women’s Basketball
- Torie Buerger – University of Kentucky, women’s swimming and diving
- Taylor Heie – Umpqua Community College, Women’s Indoor Track and Field
- Kalynn Irey – Stephens Academy, Women’s Basketball
- Sion James – Duke University, men’s basketball
- Emmanuela Katou-Kouami – District of Columbia, women’s indoor track and field
- Colby Kern – St. John’s University (Minnesota), men swimming and diving
- Sophia Kyrkostas – SUNY Oswego, Women’s Hockey
- Ishmael Leggett – University of Pittsburgh, men’s basketball
- Jahmai Mashack – University of Tennessee men’s basketball
- Jojo Randby – University of Nebraska Lincoln, Women’s Swimming and Diving
- Kiani Saxon – Missouri Western State University, men’s basketball
- Jacob Truscott – University of Michigan men’s ice hockey
A full list of Allstate NACDA Winter Good Works Team Fominees for 2024 – 25 is available here.
Nominations can be submitted in each winter sports agency to submit up to one female and one male athlete. Qualified schools and athletic programs must represent one of five intercollege athletic departments: NCAA Level I, II, III, NAIA, and Junior High School/Community College. Nominees must complete at least one year (two semesters) of university courses at a two-year or four-year institution.
The last 20 team
A prominent selection committee will select 20 nominees – 10 females 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 Achoand other respected members:
- Elizabeth Brady– Quanzhou Chief Marketing, Customer and Communications Officer
- Ross Bjork – Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation-Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith awarded the Director of Athletics at Ohio State University; President of NACDA
- Dan Guerrero – UCLA retired track and field director; former NACDA president
- Brian Henderson – Director of Track & Field / Assistant Vice President of Student Engagement and Inclusion at Patrick & Henry Community College; NACDA Executive Committee, First Vice President of Natycaa
- Reagan Rossi – Vice President of Track and Field in Idaho College; NACDA Executive Committee, NAIA-ADA President
- Etienne Thomas – Winston-Salem State University Track and Field President; NACDA Executive Committee, D2 ADA Board of Directors
- Natalie Winkelfoos – Vice President of Sports Progress and Director of Sports and Physical Education at Oberlin College; NACDA Executive Committee
The legacy of the university movement
The Allstate NACDA Good Works team announced in December that based on the legacy of Allstate AFCA GoodWorks®, the team has celebrated the outstanding work of college football players since 1992. Each year, the division will be honored – three groups representing the fall, winter and spring college track and field seasons.
“Sports athletes don’t always make headlines show the same dedication to service and leadership as other competitors.” Elizabeth Brady,,,,, Allstate’s Chief Marketing, Customer and Communications Officer. “The overwhelmingly positive response to our first Allstate NACDA Good Works team shows that this spotlight and level of support matters. We are honored to share these inspiring student-athletes’ stories.”
About Allstate
Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL) protects people from uncertainty about widespread protections for cars, homes, electronic devices and identity theft. Products can be obtained online and in the workplace through an extensive distribution network including Allstate agents, independent agents and major retailers. Allstate is well known with the slogan “Your Benefits with Allstate”. For more information, visit allstate.com.
About NACDA
NACDA has been in the 60th year and is a professional and educational association for more than 24,000 university sports administrators at more than 2300 institutions in the United States, Canada and Mexico. NACDA manages 19 professional associations and 4 foundations. In addition to virtual programming, NACDA moderators and/or are present at seven major professional development events each year. The NACDA and Branch Conference is the largest gathering of university sports administrators in the country. For more information, visit www.nacda.com.
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