Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Warner makes 2008 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
10/01/2008 | 12:00:00 | Football
Oct. 1, 2008
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University senior RB Larry Warner was one of 22 student-athletes named to the Allstate Insurance Company and American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team today.
This year marks the second-straight where SIU is represented on the Good Works Team. Warner, along with Anthony Williams (2007), are the only two Salukis to ever garner the honor.
Warner has participated in a variety of community service events, including Boys and Girls Club Lock-In, Wheel Chair Basketball, Youth Football Camp and Bowling with Special Needs Population. He also assisted in raising money to help support the American Red Cross, helped the St. Francis Care Animal Shelter, visited local elementary schools to promote the importance of reading as part of the Missouri Valley Conference/State Farm "Just Read" program and collected monetary donations with teammates for the Carbondale homeless shelter.
A native of Vicksburg, Miss., Warner currently leads the Salukis in rushing yards (254), rushing touchdowns (3), kick return yards (288), punt return yards (93), points scored (30), and all-purpose yardage (692). He leads the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) in all-purpose yards and is third in the nation in kickoff returns.
The 22 college football players awarded this prestigious honor were selected by a special selection committee from the 71 nominations submitted by sports information directors on behalf of their teams. The two 11-member teams - one composed of players competing in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (I-A) and a combined team representing the NCAA Championship Subdivision (I-AA), Divisions II, III and the NAIA - honor players that embody the true spirit of "teamwork" and "giving back" through selfless contributions and commendable acts of kindness.
This is the 17th consecutive season the Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams® have been selected, and the first that Allstate has partnered with the AFCA to present the awards. Newly elected member of the College Football Hall of Fame and former Notre Dame head football coach Lou Holtz will serve as the spokesperson for the 2008 Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams®
"Allstate is proud to partner with the AFCA to highlight the extraordinary efforts of these student athletes," said Lisa Cochrane, vice president of marketing for Allstate."Giving back to our communities is a value Allstate holds dear, and having the opportunity to recognize these young men for the service they've provided off the field is an honor for us."
During a time when off-the-field transgressions seem to dominate the news headlines, these players have quietly made a favorable impression on the organizations and people with which they are involved. From donating bone marrow to rescuing children from an overturned bus, the positive impact that these players have made and continue to make on their communities can be measured by more than just touchdowns, tackles, and receptions.
"These 22 student-athletes represent thousands of college football players who make a difference in their communities through volunteer service on campus and in their hometowns," said AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff. "We're proud to join Allstate in recognizing these young people who are dedicated to improving the world in which we live."
Allstate has assembled a high-profile voting panel made up of previous Good Works Team® members, including former University of Mississippi running back Deuce McAllister and former University of Georgia lineman Matt Stinchcomb, as well as prominent college football media personalities, including ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit and CBSSports.com's Dennis Dodd, to elect this year's teams. Also a part of the selection committee are current AFCA president and University of Washington head coach Tyrone Willingham, 1996 AFCA president and former head coach at the United States Air Force Academy Fisher DeBerry, and Allstate senior vice president Steve Sorenson.
In order to meet the criteria set forth by Allstate and 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. Candidates must also display sincere concern and reliability, while also having made a favorable impression on the organizations with which they are involved. Neither athletic ability nor on-the-field achievements are among the selection criteria.
The following players have been selected to the 2008 Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams®:
Football Bowl Subdivision (I-A)
Keegan Herring, Sr., RB, Arizona State University
Re'quan Boyette, Sr., RB, Duke University
Brit Miller, Sr., LB, University of Illinois
Tim Masthay, Sr., P/K, University of Kentucky
Jordan Steffy, Sr., QB, University of Maryland
Matt Simon, Sr., WR, Northern Illinois University
Eric Peterman, Sr., WR, Northwestern University
Gerald McCoy, So., DT, University of Oklahoma
Colt McCoy, Sr., QB, University of Texas
Brian Duncan, So., LB, Texas Tech University
Tito Gonzales, Sr., WR, West Virginia University
Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA), Divisions II, III, and NAIA
Daniel Bocanegra, Sr., WR, University at Albany
Andrew Berry, Sr., CB, Harvard University
Nick Finley, Sr., DE, Henderson State University
Phil Davignon, Sr., OT, Hillsdale College
Colin Dow, Sr., OL, University of Montana
Tyler Roehl, Sr., RB, North Dakota State University
Michael Van Portfliet, So., DB, University of Northern Colorado
Rocky Horn, Jr., WR, St. Cloud State University
Mikkel Haugen, Sr., RB, University of St. Thomas
Tyler Brantley, Sr., DB, Sewanee: The University of the South
Larry Warner, Sr., RB, Southern Illinois University
