Champions of Impact: Allstate and NACDA name spring Good Works Team

From raising funds for cancer care to combating food insecurity, these 20 student-athletes are recognized for their meaningful work beyond the scoreboard.

NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Allstate and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) proudly introduce the inaugural Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Spring), a powerhouse group of 20 student-athletes who are leading in their sport, in the classroom and in communities across the country.

The team includes men and women from NCAA Divisions I, II, and III and NAIA – representing spring sports including baseball, softball, tennis, golf, lacrosse and track and field. Honorees were selected from over 200 nominees for championing causes like education, mental wellness and expanding access to nutritious food.

“These student-athletes are using their platforms to improve their communities,” said Holly Rowe, ESPN reporter, play-by-play commentator and Allstate NACDA Ambassador. “Their stories of service and resilience, from fundraising for cancer patients to uplifting kids facing homelessness, prove that personal challenges can ignite extraordinary impact.”

The 2024-25 Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Spring) features standout stories such as:

• Filipe Costa, University of Georgia, Men’s Tennis: Founder of Costa Tennis Academy, an online platform offering free tennis education to more than 60,000 students worldwide.
• Tyler Ganus, Northwestern University, Baseball: Created Collegiate Mind Mastery, a national mentorship program connecting Division I student-athletes with high school students to foster personal growth and academic success.
• Taylor Chepren, Marymount University, Women’s Lacrosse: Mentors youth at Woodbury Park (Arlington, Va.) and organizes holiday support for hundreds of families – all while leading campus efforts to assist local hospitals and food banks.
• Jami Morris, Penn State University, Women’s Golf: Founded Hit for Hope after her mother’s lymphoma diagnosis, raising over $280,000 in three years to support cancer treatments and patient care.
• Andrew Tjoa, University of California, Santa Cruz, Men’s Tennis: After the pandemic, he brought the Stanford Blood Center back to campus, restoring a vital resource and inspiring others to donate.

The full team roster, along with the inspiring stories of each student-athlete, can be found here. The captain of the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Spring) will be announced at a later date.

“Leadership is measured by how you uplift others,” said Elizabeth Brady, Allstate’s chief marketing, customer and communications officer. “These student-athletes represent the next generation of purpose-driven leaders, and we’re proud to shine a light on their impact."

"The Allstate NACDA Good Works Spring Team ushers in a new class of student-athletes who are integral to their sport, their institution and the communities they serve," said Pat Manak, NACDA's chief executive officer. “The range of causes supported by these individuals and the impact they are having on a local, regional, national and even international level is impressive and a testament to the power of sport and higher education.”

The Allstate NACDA Good Works Team spotlights student-athletes' service throughout the year. The 2025-26 academic year will feature three teams beginning this fall.

About the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team:

The Allstate NACDA Good Works Team was established in 2024 to recognize male and female student-athletes across all collegiate sports and divisions for their leadership in community service, academics and athletics. Building on the legacy of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, which has honored college football players since 1992, this expanded initiative highlights the impact of student-athletes who go beyond the game to serve others.

About NACDA:

Now in its 60th year, NACDA is the professional and educational Association for more than 24,000 college athletics administrators at more than 2,300 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. NACDA manages 19 professional associations and four foundations. In addition to virtual programming, NACDA hosts and/or has a presence at seven major professional development events in-person annually. The NACDA & Affiliates Convention is the largest gathering of collegiate athletics administrators in the country. For more information, visit www.nacda.com.