National Association of Basketball Coaches, Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, Allstate Name 20 College Basketball Players to 2016 Good Works Teams®
Award recognizes select college basketball student-athletes for giving back
INDIANAPOLIS – Feb. 9, 2016 – The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and Allstate Insurance Company today announced the 20 student-athletes named to the 2016 Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams®. In its fourth year, this prestigious award honors college basketball athletes that have dedicated themselves to bettering the lives of others through giving back to their communities. From founding mobile health clinics that serve the homeless to helping fund and organize basketball camps at an orphanage in Haiti, this year’s team made a positive, lasting impact.
The Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams® are each comprised of 10 student-athletes; five from NCAA® Division I and five from NCAA Divisions II, III and the NAIA. This year, sports information directors and coaches at colleges and universities around the country submitted a record number of nominations. In early December 2015, 154 nominees from the NABC and 103 nominees from the WBCA were announced.
The 257 nominations were narrowed down to the final team rosters by voting panels led by former Duke University student-athlete, two-time NCAA champion and seven-time NBA All-Star Grant Hill and 10-time WNBA All-Star and University of Tennessee student-athlete Tamika Catchings. The voting panels are comprised of former coaches, esteemed college basketball athletes and media members.
“Allstate is excited to be joining the NABC and WBCA for a fourth year to recognize the extraordinary character demonstrated by these student-athletes,” said Thomas Clarkson, president of the west territory for Allstate Insurance Company and a member of the 2016 NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams® selection panels. “We’re honored to be a part of a program that recognizes humanitarianism and community service, both of which are an integral part of Allstate’s culture.”
While exceptional student-athletes are often only rewarded for their athletic successes, the Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams® shine a light on these 20 young men and women for their off-the-court accomplishments. In addition to countless hours spent as college athletes and full-time students, the members of this year’s team have spent their limited free time bettering communities all over the world. Whether it’s regularly volunteering in their school’s town or traveling to other countries on mission trips, all 20 players boast long lists of inspiring stories that demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives of others.
“The WBCA is proud to continue its partnership with Allstate in recognizing these impressive student-athletes who are members of the 2016 Good Works Teams and who have invested their time and talents to enhance their respective communities,” said WBCA executive director Danielle Donehew. “We applaud them for their contributions and look forward to their continued service and leadership to further our society.”
Members of the Allstate NABC Good Works Team® will be invited by Allstate to be recognized at the 2016 NABC Convention and 2016 NCAA Men’s Final Four®, and will participate in a community service project to benefit the host city of Houston. Additionally, the members of the Allstate WBCA Good Works Team® will be recognized during the 2016 WBCA Convention and at the 2016 NCAA Women’s Final Four® in Indianapolis, and will also participate in a local service project. Allstate is an official corporate partner of the NABC, WBCA and NCAA.
“There is no program that recognizes and promotes the outstanding selfless humanitarian acts performed by men’s and women’s collegiate athletes more than the Allstate Good Works Teams,” said Jim Haney, executive director of the NABC. “In four years, more than 850 student-athletes have been nominated for charitable works in their communities, across America and around the world. The 10 young men and 10 young women selected for the 2016 teams have added to the legacy of helping to clothe, feed and shelter those in need while nourishing hope and strengthening faith.”
The following student-athletes have been named to the 2016 Allstate NABC Good Works Team®:
NCAA Divisions I
| Name | Cl. | Pos. | School | Hometown |
| Samer Dhillon | Jr. | Forward | University of Southern California | Sacramento, Calif. |
| Kyler Erickson | Sr. | Guard | University of Nebraska Omaha | Omaha, Neb. |
| Anthony Gill | Sr. | Forward | University of Virginia | High Point, N.C. |
| Jeff Laidig | Sr. | Guard/Forward | Belmont University | Mishawaka, Ind. |
| Shavon Shields | Sr. | Forward | University of Nebraska | Olathe, Kan. |
NCAA Divisions II, III and the NAIA
| Name | Cl. | Pos. | School | Hometown |
| LyDell Cardwell | Gr. | Guard | Azusa Pacific University | East Palo Alto, Calif. |
| Ben Gardner | Sr. | Guard | Hope College | Carmel, Ind. |
| Harry Johnson | Jr. | Guard | Bard College | Smyrna, Del. |
| Jordan Saddoris | So. | Forward | Central College | Ankeny, Iowa |
| Isaac Spence | Sr. | Guard/Forward | Florida Institute of Technology | Superior, Colo. |
The following student-athletes have been named to the 2016 Allstate WBCA Good Works Team®:
NCAA Division I
| Name | Cl. | Pos. | School | Hometown |
| Taylor Brown | Gr. | Guard | George Mason University | Bowie, Md. |
| Stephanie Davison | Sr. | Guard | University of Northern Iowa | Maple Grove, Minn. |
| Danielle Rodriguez | Sr. | Guard | University of Utah | Downey, Calif. |
| Katarina Vuckovic | Jr. | Forward | Georgia Institute of Technology | Smederevo, Serbia |
| Cortnee Walton | Gr. | Forward | University of Louisville | Surprise, Ariz. |
NCAA Divisions II, III and the NAIA
| Name | Cl. | Pos. | School | Hometown |
| Laramey Becker | Sr. | Guard | University of Nebraska – Kearney | Trenton, Neb. |
| Deanna Busse | Jr. | Guard | St. Ambrose University | Prior Lake, Minn. |
| Alexis Murphy | Gr. | Guard | Nova Southeastern University | Carlisle, Ohio |
| Kaitlin Phillips | Sr. | Guard | Loras College | Hinckley, Ill. |
| Karlie Storkson | Sr. | Guard/Forward | Westmont College | Lynnwood, Wash. |
In addition to Clarkson, Hill and Catchings, the 2016 Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams® selection panel members include: former college basketball student-athletes Clark Kellogg (Ohio State University / CBS Sports), and Alana Beard (Duke University); media members Seth Davis (Sports Illustrated/CBS), Dana O’Neil (ESPN), Carolyn Peck (ESPN) and LaChina Robinson (ESPN/FOX); former head coaches Bobby Cremins (Georgia Institute of Technology/College of Charleston), Seth Greenberg (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), Marsha Sharp (Texas Tech University) and Nell Fortner (Auburn University); and current college basketball coach Coquese Washington (Penn State University).
More information about the Allstate NABC Good Works Team® and theAllstate WBCA Good Works Team® is available at www.nabc.org and www.wbca.org.
About the National Association of Basketball Coaches
Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the NABC was founded in 1927 by Forrest “Phog” Allen, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Kansas. Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game. The NABC currently has nearly 5,000 members consisting primarily of university and college men’s basketball coaches. All members of the NABC are expected to uphold the core values of being a Guardian of the Game by bringing attention to the positive aspects of the sport of basketball and the role coaches play in the academic and athletic lives of today’s student-athletes. The four core values of being a Guardian of the Game are advocacy, leadership, service and education. Additional information about the NABC, its programs and membership, can be found at www.nabc.org.
About the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game as a sport for women and girls. For more information on the WBCA, please visit www.wbca.org.
About the NCAA
The NCAA is a membership-led nonprofit association of colleges and universities committed to supporting academic and athletic opportunities for more than 460,000 student-athletes at more than 1,000 member colleges and universities. Each year, more than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships in Divisions I, II and III sports. Visit www.ncaa.org and www.ncaa.com for more details about the Association, its goals and members and corporate partnerships that help support programs for student-athletes.
About Allstate®
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16 million households from life’s uncertainties through auto, home, life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance, Encompass and Answer Financial brand names. Allstate is widely known through the slogan “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®.” The Allstate brand’s network of small businesses offers auto, home, life and retirement products and services to customers in the United States and Canada. In 2015, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees and agency owners gave $36 million to support local communities. Allstate employees and agency owners donated 250,000 hours of service across the country.
NCAA, Final Four and Women’s Final Four are trademarks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. All other licenses or trademarks are property of their respective holders.
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