Neugebauer Selected for Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

Senior football player Jace Neugebauer (MacArthur, Calif., Business Management) joined extremely elite company Wednesday when he was named to the 2020 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

Oskaloosa–Senior football player Jace Neugebauer (MacArthur, Calif., Business Management) joined extremely elite company Wednesday when he was named to the 2020 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

The team, which honors 22 student-athletes and one coach from the FBS ranks all the way to NAIA, is in its 29th year spotlighting those who help others in need and whose remarkable stories often go unnoticed.

“With so many unexpected challenges this year, it’s inspiring to see this group of talented athletes use their voices and actions to make a difference in their communities,” said Pam Hollander, vice president of consumer marketing for Allstate. “Allstate believes that celebrating positive change creates vibrant and resilient communities, and recognizing acts of kindness these players demonstrate is a vital part of our protection of college football and its traditions.”

Whether founding a nonprofit to combat poverty, providing food to families hit hardest by COVID-19, working with youth on important social issues like bullying or organizing their teammates to take a stand against racial injustice, the class of 2020 is led by a new wave of college football stars helping their communities.

“I’m excited to team up with Allstate and AFCA to recognize the powerful stories of these players and the incredible work they are doing,” said Tim Tebow, two-time national champion and former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team member. “It’s truly an honor to call myself an alumnus of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and continue to highlight the amazing work these student-athletes do off-the-field.”

The first player in program history to be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, since coming to William Penn, Neugebauer has plugged himself into the community, serving in numerous ways. He has worked with the YMCA Y’s Men to sell Christmas trees, he has volunteered with New Hope Community Center as an organizer, gardener, and cleaner. Neugebauer has helped with the Mahaska County 4-H Riccochet and the Oskaloosa Main Street’s Trunk or Treat event.

Neugebauer has spent numerous hours in the Oskaloosa School District Elementary with Math and Reading Night as well as Dining at The Ritz, Football Play Days, and Parent-Teacher Conferences. The senior, who has served as William Penn’s Student Government Association President, has also assisted with the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Penncember Fest. He helped coordinate Thanksgiving meals for WPU students far from home.

“It’s certainly an honor to be named to the Good Works team, and I couldn’t be more grateful for those who’ve influenced my journey,” Neugebauer said. “My behavior has always reflected William Penn University, so this is an accomplishment for the university as a whole, not just one individual.”

A tremendous student-athlete, Neugebauer owns a 3.99 Grade Point Average in Business Management. He has been named to William Penn’s President’s List in all six semesters of his attendance. The 2017-2018 Rising Leader in Student Life Award recipient, Neugebauer was also named the school’s nominee for the NAIA A.O. Duer Award and was the 2019 President’s Participation Award honoree. He was chosen for the CoSIDA Google Cloud NAIA Academic All-District team in 2018 as well.

Neugebauer has also enjoyed an exceptional career on the gridiron. A first-team all-Heart of America Athletic Conference honoree as a junior, he was named the winner of the team’s Blue & Gold Award as that year as well. In 27 games as a Statesmen entering this weekend, Neugebauer has tallied 135 tackles (led his team in tackles in 2019 with 77), including 12.5 for loss. He has managed one interception and four pass breakups as well.

“We couldn’t be more proud of this accomplishment for Jace,” William Penn Head Coach Todd Hafner said. “He is obviously very deserving of this prestigious award! He is not only a great leader on our football, but he is a great representative of William Penn University!”

With team members announced, a team captain must be named. Statesmen Nation can help Jace become the team captain by voting once a day through November 22 at ESPN.com/Allstate