NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Illinois State junior center Garrett Hirsch was recognized for his contributions off of the football field, as Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) included him on the list of nominees for the 2019 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®. A total of 137 student-athletes with inspiring stories of community service were nominated for the annual award by their respective sports information directors.
Established in 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® continues to be one of the most coveted community service awards in college football. From the 137 nominees, the final roster of 23 award recipients will be announced in September, bringing together 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision;11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA); and one honorary head coach. To be considered for a spot on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, each player must be actively involved with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining a strong academic standing.
Hirsch is a two-year starter at center for the Redbirds and has been a critical part of ISU's success on the offensive front. The Towanda, Illinois, native played in 10 contests in 2018 for the Redbirds and led the way for All-American James Robinson, who rushed for a league-leading 1,290 yards with 12 touchdowns. In his time at Illinois State, Hirsch has volunteered his time at the Bloomington Children's Christmas Party and has been involved heavily with Illinois Special Olympics, representing the football program at the Bloomington Polar Plunge and the Illinois Special Olympics Summer Games held annually on the ISU campus. He is also a standout in the classroom, as he currently maintains a 3.97 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in exercise science.
"To be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team is no small feat and goes above and beyond sportsmanship and leadership in the classroom or on the field," said Tim Tebow, two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner and 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® member. "These student-athletes believe in the power of giving back and enriching the lives of others, while also helping to shape the lives of future young athletes. Each year, I am struck by the caliber of these nominees and humbled to be a part of telling their stories."
The final 22-member team and honorary coach is selected by a voting panel consisting of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® members and prominent media members who look for both their dedication to giving back and the embodiment of true leadership on and off the football field.
"For 12 straight years, the AFCA has been proud to partner with Allstate to honor football student-athletes who volunteer their time and energy to give back to their local communities and other countries around the world," AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry said. "These 137 nominees are examples to not only their fellow student-athletes, but to everyone in this great nation that selfless acts of giving back will enrich the lives of people they know, and don't know, who benefit from their generosity."
After the final team members are announced on September 12, 2019, fans can vote for this year's Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® captain through the official page on ESPN.com. Fans are also encouraged to join in the conversation by searching and using #GoodWorksTeam on their social media channels throughout the season.
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