Bowling Green’s Nate Locke named nominee for Allstate Good Works Team

Sure, the college football season is right around the corner and soon enough you’ll be bombarded with highlights, statistics, stellar performances, and all sorts of things that will help tell the story of successes on the field. For now, though, we are choosing to focus on the stories that tell of similar successes off the field. And the best way to trumpet that are the truly exceptional student athletes who are named finalists for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which added Bowling Green Falcon Nate Locke to their list.

Lock, a redshirt senior, exemplifies the meaning behind this award, as someone who sets a high bar in the classroom with a perfect GPA and continues it off the field as well, being involved in dozens of charitable and community organizations. His, and all the Good Works nominees, are stories that inspire, challenge, and prove that we can do so much with the time and talents we are given.

From the BG release...

Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) today announced 146 nominees for the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^®, one of the most prestigious off-the-field honors in college football. Redshirt senior linebacker Nate Locke was recognized for his community service efforts. Since 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^® has brought together a select group of college football players from across the country to honor their dedication to volunteerism and enriching the lives of others.

While players are often recognized for their accomplishments and achievements on game day, these student-athletes have made significant contributions to the greater good of society, inspiring future generations of young athletes and the larger college football community.

Locke maintains a 4.0 grade point average in biology and psychology. During his time as BGSU, he has served as president of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and has been an FCA camp huddle leader. Among other things, Locke works with Feed My Starving Children and Rally Cap Sports, and has taken part in Guatemala and Beach Reach Mission Trips.

"Allstate is immensely honored to partner with the AFCA for the 10^th year to help pay tribute to these players and their off-the-field 'good works' that often go unnoticed and unrewarded," said Thomas Clarkson, president of the west territory for Allstate Insurance Company and a member of the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^® voting panel.

"The individuals nominated to the 2017 Good Works Team^® are making a positive impact and uniting communities across the country through service, showing what's possible when you put all hands in and give back." The student-athletes nominated for this esteemed award embody the true spirit of teamwork and selflessness, donating their limited free time to helping and serving others. From founding a non-profit that helps orphans secure jobs in the workforce to raising funds and awareness for childhood cancer research, the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team^® nominees may wear different jerseys on the field, but they all exemplify a superior commitment to giving back off of it.

I felt like I did a lot in college. Nate Locke makes me look like a couch potato. He’s the second Mid-American Conference student athlete to be nominated this season, and one that we are wishing the best to as the process continues. Let’s hope we get a chance to celebrate some MACtion!