WCU All-American Doug Gilbert Nominated For AFCA Good Works Team

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – West Chester University senior All-America left tackle, Doug Gilbert (Mount Laurel, N.J./Lenape) was recently nominated for the Allstate/American Football Coaches' Association Good Works Team.
 
One of the most coveted off-the-field honors in college football. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the award, which was established in 1992 to recognize a select group of college football players who have made a commitment to service and enriching the lives of others.
 
For 25 years, the players selected have carried on the award's mission by demonstrating that 'good works' extend beyond the football field. This year's nominees uphold impressive service resumes detailing inspiring stories of servitude and the exceptional ability to balance academics with athletics, while donating their limited free time and energy to helping others.
 
"Allstate is proud to join the AFCA in celebrating 25 years of honoring college football players who represent the sport's finest in volunteerism and leadership," said Thomas Clarkson, president of the west territory for Allstate Insurance Company and a member of the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^® voting panel. "The positive impact these young athletes have on their communities is an inspiration to us all and another reason to celebrate the good happening in our communities."
 
In honor of the 25th anniversary, Allstate and the AFCA will add three additional spots to this year's team and announce a final roster of 25 members in September. For the first time in the award's history, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^® will be comprised of 12 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, 12 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA and an honorary head coach.
 
From the nominees submitted by sports information directors across the nation on behalf of their schools, a special voting panel consisting of former Good Works Team^® members and prominent college football media members will select the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.^® 
 
Once the final team members are announced in September, fans are encouraged to visit the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^® website on ESPN.com, featuring profiles and images of the players, for the opportunity to vote for the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^® Captain.
 
In order to meet the criteria set forth by Allstate and the AFCA, each player must be actively involved with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining a strong academic standing.
 
Gilbert, a senior co-captain for the Golden Rams football team this coming season, helped raise over $10,000 for teammate Devan LaBau's mother last year, after she was hospitalized with a brain aneurysm. He has also been very active with St. John Newman Church in West Chester, volunteering at its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Additionally, Gilbert participates in the Autism Walk in Philadelphia every fall and with the Bone Marrow Drive conducted by West Chester University's football program annually.
 
The three-year starter on West Chester's offensive line is a two-time All-PSAC East selection as well as a first team All-Super Region 1 pick a year ago. He was named to Lindy's Division II preseason All-America squad earlier this summer.
 
Gilbert is one of only two players from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) nominated for this prestigious award, joining Robert Healy from East Stroudsburg University on the list.
 
Combined Divisions (FCS, II, III & NAIA)
Alma College – Nick Mangutz
Ashland University – Zach Bernhard
Bethel University (Minn.)  – Drew Neuville
Black Hills State University – Phydell Paris
Butler University – Sean Horan
California Polytechnic State University – Matt Fisher
Carnegie Mellon University – Brian Khoury
Carson-Newman University – Dan Gallman
Central Methodist University – Wes Davis
College of Wooster – Todd Ulmer
Colorado School of Mines – Stephen Candelaria
Colorado State University-Pueblo – Alex Belconis
Dakota State University – Dereck DeVries
Davidson College – Nate Casey
Drake University – Taylor Coleman
East Stroudsburg University – Robert Healy
East Texas Baptist University – Ryan Travis
Eastern Oregon University – Zach Bartlow
Eureka College – Trever Zeibert
Fordham University – Kevin Anderson
Frostburg State University – Isaac Robinson
Harding University – De'Onte Garrett
Hope College – Brandon Ellsworth
Illinois State University – Alejandro Rivera
Johns Hopkins University – Jack Campbell
Lake Forest College – Ryan Shalosky
Liberty University – Dexter Robbins
Macalester College – Forest Redlin
Manchester University – Nathan Birk
Marist College – Cameron Gibson
Missouri State University – Dylan Cole
Montana State University – Mitchell Herbert
Montana Tech – Levi Dawes
Moravian College – Jalen Snyder-Scipio
Morningside College – Luke Grooters
North Carolina Central University – Carl Jones
North Dakota State University – Chase Morlock
Northern Arizona University – Corbin Jountti
Northwestern State University – JeMarcus Marshall
Norwich University – Derek Lotito
Ohio Wesleyan University – Jerry Harper
Oklahoma Baptist University – Zach Clark
Peru State College – Travis Carnahan
Pittsburg State University – Deron Washington
Princeton University – Mason Darrow
Saint Augustine's University – Julius Murphy
Saint John's University (Minn.) – Carter Hanson
South Dakota State University – Shayne Gottlob
Southeastern Oklahoma State University – Kaymon Farmer
Southwest Minnesota State University – Grant Greenfield
Stephen F. Austin State University – Marlon Walls
Texas A&M University-Kingsville – Greg Pitre
Texas Lutheran University – Tyler Howlett
The Citadel – Joe Crochet
Towson University – Darius Victor
Trinity University (Texas) – Julian Turner
Tufts University – Alex Kim
Union College – Jermaine Carn
University of Chicago – Tim Veselik
University of New Hampshire – DeVaughn Chollette
University of North Dakota – Luke Mathewson
University of Northern Iowa – Jamison Whiting
University of Northwestern (Minn.) – Ben Greener
University of Puget Sound – Brett Pilling
University of Redlands – Jack Rulon
University of Rochester – Matthew Pisano
University of San Diego – Devyn Bryant
University of Sioux Falls – Luke Papilion
University of South Dakota – John Wessel
University of St. Thomas – Nick Waldvogel
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga – Derrick Craine
University of the Cumberlands – Adam Craig
University of the Incarnate Word – Michael Allen
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh – Brett Kasper
Washburn University – Michael Miller
Wayne State University (Mich.) – Trent Brodbeck
West Chester University – Doug Gilbert
West Texas A&M University – Dillon Vaughan
West Virginia Wesleyan College – Tavaris Anderson
Western Carolina University – Tyson Dickson
Western Illinois University – Brett Taylor
Western New England University – Obi Etuka
Wingate University – Lawrence Pittman
Yale University – Sebastian Little