Northbrook, Illinois. (August 26, 2025) – Allstate and the National Association of Track and Field University Directors (NACDA) announce the first ever Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Autumn)recognized the dedication of 20 student-athletes to leadership, service and community impact.
Loyola Chicago football player named captain
Aidan Crawford, a redshirt junior for the men’s soccer team, founded the Special Olympics Loyola University Chicago, a student-led organization that regularly works with Misericordia, a local home for knowledge and physically disabled adults.
The group promoted special Olympic and campus programs, earned state and national recognition, including representing the Illinois Special Olympics in Chicago’s 2024 Mag Mile Parade, and earned the Top 20 National Rankings for Special Olympics North America and ESPN.
Crawford is a major in molecular and cellular neuroscience, and his passion for expanding sports has also earned him a scholarship for bioethics research. His research is currently being published, exploring ways to improve disability exercise policy and programming.
On the court, Crawford is a decorative goalkeeper who won the Atlantic 10 goalkeeper of the year and the All-Atlantic 10 first team honors in 2023.
Aidan Crawford, Captain of the Allstate NACDA Good Works team (Autumn):
“I’m honored to be the captain of this team. For me, sports have always been about connecting, belonging and giving back. Leading this group is an opportunity to celebrate my teammates and the impact I have had on any game.”
Meet the autumn winner
The Fall Team includes NCAA Divisions I, II and III, Junior High School/Community College and NAIA, representing seven college sports including football, volleyball, cross country, cross country, hockey and water polo. The winners were selected to support pediatric cancer care, inclusion of people with disabilities, food and housing insecurity and educational visits. Student service stories include:
- Nevaeh Bray, University of Portland, Women’s Volleyball: MBA candidate and founding member of the Black Student-Athlete Group (BSA), which organizes programs such as the Large Yard Mentor Program, Black History Month Celebration Market and Black Student Athlete Summit.
- Katie Corrigan, Walsh University, Women’s Football: Camp Kesem raised nearly $60,000, which supports children whose parents are affected by cancer. As a former camper herself, she is deeply committed to the organization’s mission.
- Eli Dicerbo of Wayne State University, Men’s Off-Road: Contributed over 135 community service hours, resulting in volunteer efforts from local marathons to food drives while maintaining a 4.0 GPA over seven semesters.
- Ben Liscum of Penn State, Men’s Football: Thon, a student-led charity that has been raised for children and families affected by childhood cancer, raised $80,000.
- Will Ryan from the University of Iowa cross-country: A pediatric cancer survivor who often volunteers at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. He was there for treatment as a patient and is now committed to advocacy, fundraising and mentoring.
- Lexi Wright, UCLA, Women’s Football: Serving the pediatric cancer community at UCLA Hospital, while advocating for disability inclusion by participating in weekly physical activities for children with disabilities.
Holly Rowe, ESPN reporter, broadcast-by-play commentator:
“The team represents the best achievements student-athletes can achieve outside of sports. These student-athletes transform the community through real service and leadership, emphasizing college track and field in the most powerful and purposeful form.”
Elizabeth Brady, Chief Marketing, Customer and Communications Officer, Allstate:
“This founded Allstate NACDA Good Works team revealed a generation of purpose-driven leaders who are committed to elevating others. We celebrate their service and impact stories in the community.”
NACDA CEO Pat Manak:
“The Allstate NACDA Good Works team (Autumn) represents a diverse and talented cross-section of student-athletes from all departments and regions of the country who make a difference outside of sports. We are honored to recognize Aidan as the captain of this outstanding group, surrounding this first year of important initiative.”
The complete Allstate NACDA Good Works team (fall) lineup and inspiring stories from every student-athletes.
About Allstate NACDA Good Work Team: The Allstate NACDA Good Works team was established in 2024 to recognize male and female student-athletes in all college athletics and divisions for leadership in community service, academics and track and field. The legacy of Allstate AFCA GoodWorks®, which has been respecting college football players since 1992, has expanded initiative and highlighted the impact of student-athletes who go beyond the game to serve others.
About NACDA: NACDA is now in its 61st year and is a professional and educational association for more than 24,000 university track and field 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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