— South Dakota State University running back Zach Zenner was named Tuesday to the 2014 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team for his community service efforts.

 

For more than two decades the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team has been one of the most esteemed awards in college sports. This summer, the program received a record 182 nominations from colleges and universities across the country. A voting panel comprised of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members and college football media reviewed the nominees in an effort to select 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA to comprise the 22-player team.

 

“Allstate takes an immense amount of pride in working with the AFCA to recognize these student-athletes for their good works that have made a positive impact on communities across the country and, in some cases, across the world,” said Jim Haskins, president of Allstate’s West Territory and a member of the 2014 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team voting panel. “Allstate is a proud supporter of NCAA football and it is an honor to award these young men for inspiring us all with their character and work ethic both on and off the field.”

 

A senior from Eagan, Minnesota, Zenner was presented his award during an event Tuesday morning at Hillcrest Elementary School in Brookings. Zenner has served a key role in numerous community service events as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, including Summit League Food Fight (yearly competition among league schools for donations to local food pantry), Project Joy (holiday toy drive) and campus cleanup. He also has worked the past three years with the State-a-Thon event to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network and has devoted countless hours to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, including coaching children on fundamental football skills, leading devotionals at FCA Power Camp and speaking to area youth groups at other FCA events.

 

This past winter, Zenner served as a student-athlete ambassador, testifying before state House and Senate Appropriations committees as the state Legislature debated passage of a bill to authorize consruction of a new on-campus football stadium.

 

Zenner’s lengthy community service résumé extends beyond the campus and local community as he was one of 25 SDSU student-athletes who traveled to Harmons, Jamaica, in March 2014 on a mission trip to help build two homes and interact with members of the village through the Won by One organization.

 

Zenner is the second Jackrabbit student-athlete in as many years to be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, joining 2013 honoree Winston Wright.

 

Allstate and the AFCA are looking to the fans to help determine this year’s 2014 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain. By visiting ESPN.com/Allstate, fans can learn more about this year’s team members and vote for the player who they feel best embodies the spirit of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The team captain and his fellow award recipients will also be invited to New Orleans to take part in a community project leading up to the 2015 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in January.

 

Following is the complete 2014 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team: NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (I-A)

Jeffrey Coprich                 So.          RB      California                   Watts, Calif.

Laken Tomlinson               Sr.          OL      Duke                          Chicago, Ill.

Chris Conley                     Sr.          WR     Georgia                     Dallas, Ga.

Max Godby                        Sr.          OL      Kentucky                   Louisville, Ky.

Deterrian Shackelford       GS          LB       Ole Miss                    Decatur, Ala.

Sam Rodgers                    Sr.          LS       Syracuse                  State College, Pa.

Nate Boyer                       Sr.          LS       Texas                        Dublin, Calif.

Brett Hundley                   Jr.           QB      UCLA                         Chandler, Ariz.

Chuckie Keeton                 Sr.          QB      Utah State                 Houston, Texas

Andrew East                    Sr.          LS       Vanderbilt                  Indianapolis, Ind.

Dominic Rufran                  Sr.          WR     Wyoming                  Colorado Springs, Colo.

 

NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA), Divisions II, III and NAIA

Name                                 Cl.           Pos.    School                                   Hometown

Blake Padget                     Sr.          OL      Alma                                      Westland, Mich.

Chris Tamasi                     Sr.          LB       Amherst                                Canton, Mass.

Joshua Perkins                  Sr.          OL      Bethel                                    Iowa Falls, Iowa

Dan Casey                        Sr.          LB       Davidson                              Tega Cay, S.C.

Tyler Zeoli                        Sr.          LB       Holy Cross                           King of Prussia, Pa.

Ward Udinski                    Sr.          QB      Juniata                                   Doylestown, Pa.

Spencer Knight                 Sr.          RB      Ouachita Baptist                    Arkadelphia, Ark.

Zach Zenner                    Sr.          RB      South Dakota State               Eagan, Minn.

Phil Faccone                     Sr.          LS       Wagner                                 Brick, N.J.

Eric Mapoles                      Jr.           LB       Wingate                                 Snellville, Ga.

Ryan Gerts                       Sr.          LB       Winona State             Bloomingdale, Ill.