Sept. 18, 2012
NORTHBROOK, Ill. – University of Notre Dame graduate Mike Golic Jr. was one of 22 college football players named to the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Allstate and the AFCA announced Tuesday.
One of the sport’s premier service honors, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team shines a spotlight on the positive, off-the-field impact that a select group of student-athletes has on their communities.
Two 11-member teams comprise the Good Works Team. One team has 11 players representing the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the other team has 11 student-athletes from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, NCAA Divisions II and III plus the NAIA.
Golic has been one of the most active members of the Notre Dame football team in the Notre Dame and greater South Bend communities. Golic has participated in a fundraiser for St. Baldrick’s Foundation that has raised approximately $160,000 over the last four years. St. Baldrick’s is a charity that raises money for childhood cancer research.
The product of West Hartford, Conn., has also spent time working with area youths and senior citizens in the South Bend area. Golic served as a counselor in the Irish Experience League in 2011 and 2012 where 40 local kids came to Notre Dame’s campus to interact with Notre Dame student-athletes. While on campus, the kids learned about healthy living habits, good nutrition, a passion for service, a commitment to hard work plus athletic and academic excellence.
Golic visited a local community center on Wednesdays in Spring 2012 where he helped kids with their homework while serving as a positive role model for the South Bend youths. At last year’s pediatric Christmas party – an event where kids in local hospitals came to Notre Dame’s campus for a party with Irish student-athletes – Golic surprised the kids when he entered the party dressed as Santa Claus.
An excellent student, Golic graduated from Notre Dame in May with a degree in Film, Television and Theatre with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.429. Golic started the last four games of 2011 at center for the Irish and has started all three games this season at right guard, helping the Irish to their first 3-0 start since 2002.
Golic is the seventh Notre Dame football player selected to the Good Works Team since 1999. Quarterback Dayne Crist was named to the 2011 squad, safety Tom Zbikowski was selected to the 2007 team, offensive lineman Bob Morton was named to the 2006 team, linebacker Derek Curry was chosen for the 2004 squad, linebacker Courtney Watson was named to the 2003 team and defensive end Grant Irons was the first Notre Dame player to be honored in 1999.
This summer, 117 nominations were submitted by college and university sports information directors. From the nominations, a special voting panel comprised of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members and college football media selected the two 11-member teams.
Fans will have the opportunity to vote for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Captain by visiting ESPN.com and searching “Good Works.” The Team Captain and his fellow award recipients will be invited to New Orleans to take part in a special youth football clinic leading up to the 2013 Allstate Sugar Bowl.
The following players have been selected to the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team:
Football Bowl Subdivision
Barrett Jones, Sr., OL, Alabama
Philip Lutzenkirchen, Sr., TE, Auburn
Sean Renfree, Sr., QB, Duke
Aaron Murray, Jr., QB, Georgia
Collin Klein, Sr., QB, Kansas State
Mike James, Sr., RB, Miami (Fla.)
Patrick Omameh, Sr., OL, Michigan
Rex Burkhead, Sr., RB, Nebraska
Mike Golic Jr., Sr., OL, Notre Dame
Kyle Negrete, Sr., P, Southern California
Brandon McManus, Sr., P, Temple
Football Championship Subdivision
Kevin Day, Sr., OL, Carson-Newman
Oakley Watkins, Sr., OL, Centre
Austin Tallant, Jr., LS, Chowan
Zach Bosch, Sr., OL, Drake
Brandon Hepburn, Sr., LB, Florida A&M
Chad Tothero, Jr., OL, Franklin & Marshall
Malach Radigan, Sr., DL, Lindenwood
Greg Tabar, Sr., P, Mount St. Joseph
Michael Valesano, Sr., LB, St. Thomas
Tony Rosa, Sr., WR, Ursinus
Steve Ciocci, Sr., OL, Wagner
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