Auburn gymnast Sophia Groth named first female captain as program expands to recognize student-athletes in every sport

Today, Allstate and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announce the inaugural Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Winter), recognizing 20 standout student-athletes across collegiate winter sports for their exceptional achievements in community service, athletics and academics. This marks the first-ever expansion of the Good Works Team to include student-athletes from all collegiate sports and divisions.

The final team was voted on by the program’s esteemed Selection Committee from an impressive pool of nearly 200 nominees nationwide. These student-athletes represent nine winter sports and five collegiate divisions, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of student-athletes in their communities.

Auburn gymnast Sophia Groth has been named team captain, becoming the first female student-athlete to lead the distinguished group. As president of Auburn’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Groth has championed community outreach, supported fellow student-athletes and advocated for student-parents working to complete their degrees through programs like Baby Steps. Groth also spearheaded The Big House Toy Drive, brightening the holidays for children in need across the state of Alabama.

“I’m honored to be named captain of this incredible team,” said Groth. “Leadership isn’t just about what we accomplish in sports—it’s about how we give back. I’m proud to represent my teammates and my school as we work together to make a difference.”

Announced in December 2024, the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team builds on the legacy of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, which has honored college football players' community impact since 1992. Now expanded to include all sanctioned national championship sports, the initiative will recognize 60 student-athletes annually across fall, winter and spring seasons.

Meet the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Winter)

The inaugural 20-member team features student-athletes from all levels of collegiate competition, including junior/community college, NAIA and NCAA Division I, II and III. Honorees represent winter sports such as hockey, basketball, swimming and diving, gymnastics and track and field. Among those recognized are:

• Audrey Wethington, Minnesota, Hockey: Dedicated more than 1,000 hours to heart research at the Visible Heart Laboratories and volunteers at Masonic Children’s Hospital, brightening patients’ days through therapeutic activities.

• Sion James, Duke, Basketball: Founded the Sion James Foundation to serve and strengthen communities, organizing his One-4-All Toy Drive that has delivered 1,800 toys to children.

• Colby Kern, Saint John’s University (Minn.), Swimming & Diving: Leads an annual meal-packing event to fight food insecurity, providing nearly 90,000 meals for his community in 2024 alone.

The full team roster and their inspiring stories can be found on the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team website.

“These student-athletes embody the best of collegiate athletics—not just in competition, but in leadership, service and impact,” said Elizabeth Brady, Allstate’s chief marketing, customer and communications officer. “From youth empowerment to mental health advocacy, their work changes lives.”

“NACDA is honored to collaborate with Allstate to expand the Good Works Team program and recognize student-athletes across all sports and all divisions,” said Pat Manak, NACDA’s chief executive officer. “This initiative provides a national platform for our members to shine a light on the positive and inspirational stories happening at all levels of intercollegiate athletics during a pivotal time in our industry. Congratulations to the student-athletes and institutions represented on the inaugural Winter Team, and we look forward to continuing the process in the seasons to come.”

The Allstate NACDA Good Works Team will spotlight student-athletes’ service throughout the year, with upcoming teams for spring and fall sports.

About Allstate

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) protects people from life's uncertainties with a wide array of protection for autos, homes, electronic devices and identity theft. Products are available through a broad distribution network, including Allstate agents, independent agents and major retailers, online and at the workplace. Allstate is widely known for the slogan "You're in Good Hands with Allstate." For more information, visit allstate.com.

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.

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