NORTHBROOK, Ill. – On Wednesday, Allstate and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced 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.

Florida State College at Jacksonville was quick to capitalize on this expansion as the first and only institution at the two-year college level to be featured on the list that includes national powers like Auburn, Duke, Harvard, Kentucky, and Penn State.

FSCJ's Alex McCray, a standout on the Manta Rays' men's basketball team, was recognized for excelling both academically and in the community. 

McCray, a sophomore from Gainesville, Fla., has mentored underprivileged students through the Goodwill/Take Stock in Children initiative, leads holiday donation efforts with the Salvation Army and volunteers at Chappell Schools and the Jacksonville Humane Society. 

"A two-time President's List honoree and Dean's List student, Alex is deeply committed to academic excellence," said FSCJ Director of Athletics Jerry Thor. "Through his leadership, service and academic success, Alex embodies the true spirit of a Manta Ray student-athlete."

McCray was recently named Most Outstanding Player of the FCSAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship, where he led FSCJ to its second straight title. 

The final Allstate NACDA Good Works Team was selected from an impressive pool of nearly 200 nominees nationwide that included fellow FSCJ student-athlete Alexia Taliferro (Women's Basketball). Combined, these student-athletes represent nine winter sports and five collegiate divisions, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of student-athletes in their communities. 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.

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.