Allstate and NACDA unveil the inauguration team to honor student-athletes’ impact on the scene
Northbrook, Illinois, March 12, 2025 – Today, Allstate and the National Association of Track and Field Colleges Directors (NACDA) announced Inauguration Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Winter), Recognize the 20 outstanding student-athletes in winter sports as they have achieved outstanding achievements in community service, track and field and academia. This marks the first ever expansion of the Good Works team, including student-athletes from all college athletics and departments.
The program’s prestigious election committee voted by a multi-group vote of nearly 200 nominees nationwide. These student-athletes represent nine winter sports and five college districts, demonstrating the profound impact of student-athletes in their communities.
Auburn gymnast Sophia Groth is appointed captainbecome the first female student-athlete to lead an outstanding group. As chairman of the Auburn Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Groth embraces community advocacy, supports student-athletes for classmates, and advocates for student-scholars who complete their degrees through courses such as Baby Footsteps. Groth also led the Big House Toy Drive, bringing holidays to children in need throughout Alabama.
“I’m honored to be named captain of this incredible team,” Gross said. “Leading is not just what we have achieved in sport, it’s also about our feedback. I’m honored to represent my teammates and my school because we work together to make a difference.”
The Allstate NACDA Good Works team was announced in December 2024 to build on the legacy of Allstate AFCA GoodWorks®, which has recognized the community reach of college football players since 1992. Now, the program will enjoy all approved national championship sports in the fall, winter, winter and spring.
Meet the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Winter)
The 20-member member team formed features student-athletes at university competitions at all levels, including Junior High School/Community College, NAIA and NCAA Level I I, II and III. Winners represent winter sports, e.g. Hockey, basketball, swimming and diving, gymnastics, and track and field. It is generally recognized that:
- Audrey Wethington of Minnesota, Hockey: Specializing in over 1,000 hours of cardiac research work in the visible heart lab and Masonic Children’s Hospital, makes patients’ days brighter through treatment activities.
- Sion James, Duke, Basketball: Established the Sion James Foundation to serve and strengthen the community, organizing his 4,000 toy drives that provide 1,800 toys for children.
- Colby Kern, St. John’s University (Minnesota), Swimming and Diving: Organizing an annual dietary event, with the fight against food insecurity, has provided nearly 90,000 meals to his community in 2024 alone.
The complete team roster and its inspiring stories can be found on the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team website.
“These student-athletes embody the best results in college track and field, not just in competition, but in leadership, service and influence,” said Elizabeth Brady, Chief Marketing, Customer and-Communication Officer at Allstate. “From youth empowerment to mental health advocacy, their work has changed lives.”
NACDA CEO Pat Manak said: “NACDA is honored to work with Allstate to expand its good work team program and recognize student-athletes in all sports and all departments.” “This initiative provides our members with a national platform to shed light on the positive and inspiring stories that have taken place at all levels of inter-college track and field at critical times in our industry. Congratulations to student-athletes and institutions for representing the inaugural winter team, and we look forward to continuing this process in the coming seasons.”
The Allstate NACDA Good Works team will focus on student-athletes’ services throughout the year, with upcoming spring and fall sports teams.
About Allstate
Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL) protects people from uncertainty about the widespread protection of cars, homes, electronic devices and identity theft. Products are available 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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