University of Memphis Athletics
Michael Antonescu Nominated For AFCA Good Works Team
Jul 19, 2011 | Football
July 19, 2011
MEMPHIS, TENN. -
Senior offensive lineman Michael Antonescu is one of 132 nominees for the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® as announced by the Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). The award recognizes the selfless contributions to volunteerism and community service made by college football student-athletes across the nation.
Antonescu is an active member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and currently serves as the vice president of external operations, and in that role, he is the chair of the SAAC community service initiatives. He has also served as a True Blue Choices committee member and has assisted at multiple community service events, including Dr. Seuss Reading Day and guiding children through the Children’s Museum of Memphis. A product of the foster care system himself, one of Antonescu’s most rewarding events is dressing up as Santa Claus during Christmas and delivering Angel Tree presents for foster care kids in Madison (MS) County.
This year marks the program’s 20th year honoring college football players at all levels of competition who stand out for their “good works” in the community. Since 1992, selection to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® has become the gold standard for off-the-field character and leadership for college football players. The honor is widely considered the sport’s pre-eminent community service award.
“This program has grown dramatically throughout the years due to the volunteerism and commitment of these great student-athletes to their communities,” said Mark LaNeve, Allstate Executive Vice President, Marketing & Sales Operations, who also serves on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® voting panel. “To be associated with an award that reflects so positively on college football is an inspiration for Allstate, our employees and our agents, especially as the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® celebrates its 20th year.”
While it is often college football players’ on-field exploits that receive the most attention from fans and media, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® award shines a spotlight on student-athletes’ efforts away from the playing field by sharing their stories of serving others.
From creating mentorship programs at local schools, to traveling on mission trips around the world, to donating bone marrow to a cancer patient, this year’s Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® nominees boast some of the most impressive community service resumes in the program’s history.
“The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team is one of the most important awards in college football because it highlights some of the best and brightest student-athletes in the country,” said Grant Teaff, AFCA Executive Director. “With this being the 20th year of this outstanding award, it’s great to see a record number of nominees sent in from some of the leading football programs in the nation. The AFCA is proud to share in this anniversary year with our partners at Allstate.”
After a successful first-year partnership with ESPN.com, Allstate and the AFCA will re-launch its customized Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® website featuring profiles and images of the final team members, as well as an opportunity for fans to vote for the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® Captain.
In order to meet the criteria set forth by Allstate and the AFCA, each player must be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or community service while maintaining good academic standing.
About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.
About the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams® were established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff off the field. AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate partnered to present the award starting with the 2008 season.
Since 1992, the Southeastern Conference leads all conferences with 52 selections to the Good Works Teams®, followed by the Big 12 with 38 selections and the Atlantic Coast Conference with 29 selections. In 2009, St. Thomas defensive back Jeffrey Hilliard became the 12th Tommie, and Georgia defensive lineman Jeff Owens became the 12th Bulldog to be selected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, tying both schools for the most selections of all time. Super Bowl XLII and XLI champion quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning were members of the 2002 and 1997 Good Works Teams®, respectively.
About AFCA
The AFCA was founded in 1922 and currently has more than 11,000 members around the world ranging from the high school level to the professional ranks. According to its constitution, the AFCA was formed, in part, to “maintain the highest possible standards in football and in the coaching profession” and to “provide a forum for the discussion and study of all matters pertaining to football.”
