Seven MAC Students Nominated For AFCA Good Works Team
Seven MAC Students Nominated For 2019 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced the list of nominees for the 2019 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, an annual award given to college football players for the impact they make off the field. A total of 137 student-athletes with inspiring stories of community service were nominated by their respective sports information directors.
Representing the MAC are senior linebacker John Lako (Akron), junior long snapper Gabe Skrobot (Bowling Green), senior linebacker Matt Otwinowski (Buffalo), senior linebacker Matt Bahr (Kent State), junior wide receiver Jack Sorenson (Miami), senior center Bryce Harris (Toledo) and senior defensive back Justin Tranquill (Western Michigan).
Lako, a native of Monroe, Mich., was named All-MAC Third Team last season and was the Zips' leading defender in 2018 with 126 tackles, 10 TFL for a loss of 27 yards, three hurries and one fumble recovery. A former walk-on who moved into a starting role in 2018, Lako was named a MAC Scholar-Athlete and an Academic All-MAC honoree, Lako also earned Dean's List recognition. He earned a bachelor's degree in human resources management in May 2019 and is currently pursuing a master's degree. Lako's community service activities include the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Haven of Rest, Akron's Children's Hospital, The Well CDC, and Saint Nick's Club.
Skrobot, a native of Zanesville, Ohio, has played in all 24 games over the past two seasons for the Falcons as a long snapper, is a MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete and a Google Cloud Academic All-District performer. He has been named Academic All-MAC and was a Wuerffel Trophy Award nominee for community service. Skrobot spearheaded Christmas with the Falcons, an initiative designed to serve underprivileged children in the Bowling Green community. He has also volunteered with Wood County Hospital and Rally Cap Sports, serving children with mental disabilities. Skrobot also holds his pilot's license and is a member of the Dean's List.
Otwinowski, a native of LaPorte, Ind., has played in 38 games over his career and has totaled 78 tackles and four and one-half tackles for loss. He is a two-time Academic All-MAC selection and was named a MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete at the conclusion of the 2018 campaign. While he has actively volunteered in the community over his career, Otwinowski's greatest act of selflessness occurred in April when he donated his bone marrow to help save the life of a stranger.
Bahr, a native of Kenton, Ohio, has volunteered for numerous local causes and spent more than a week in Costa Rica this past winter in Kent State's collaboration with Courts for Kids. In 2017, he spent eight days in Belize with Kent State's Courts for Kids as well. Bahr also served as president of Kent State's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and is a member of the MAC's Student-Athlete Executive Committee. In 2018, Bahr was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team and the Academic All-MAC team. Bahr has established himself as a leader on the field, in the classroom and in the community. Bahr tied for the team lead with 91 tackles and led the Golden Flashes with seven and one-half tackles for loss last season.
Sorenson, a native of Kildeer, Ill., is active in Athletes in Action and is also a member of the Miami University Unity Council. The junior also organizes team activities in the Oxford community, helping to clean parks and other local areas, while also volunteering at elementary schools in the area as well.
Harris, a native of Akron, Ohio, was an All-MAC Second Team selection in 2018 and is a candidate for the 2019 Rimington Award, honoring the nation's top center. He has appeared in 38 games as an offensive lineman, making 30 starts at center and guard. Harris was also named to the Academic All-MAC squad last season, posting a 3.44 cumulative GPA as a psychology major.
Tranquill, a native of Huntertown, Ind., started all 13 games last season for Western Michigan and ranked third on the team with 82 total tackles, including 58 solo. Tranquill added one interception and three passes defensed as the Broncos finished with a 7-6 overall record, 5-3 for a second-place finish in the MAC West Division and earned an invitation to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
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.
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.
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.
