WACO, Texas – Three Division III players were named to the 2002 American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team, including the first-ever student-athletes from Amherst and Thomas More. St. Thomas earned its record fifth consecutive selection. They were named to a combined team from Divisions I-AA, II, III and the NAIA.

The award honors Andrew Hilliard (St. Thomas), Mike Proman (pictured, Amherst) and Nick Rice (Thomas More) for their dedication and commitment to community service. From 1992-1996, the Good Works Team was selected by the College Football Association. When the CFA disbanded in 1997, the AFCA began selecting the teams.

"With all the time demands on today"s student-athlete, it really speaks to the dedication these young men have to their communities that they spend their free time helping so many outstanding organizations and causes," AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff said. "They don"t do community service for recognition, but the AFCA is proud to honor them with a position on our Good Works Team."

Nominations were submitted to the AFCA by the college sports information departments. Nominees have to be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or involved in other community service activities. Athletic ability is not a criteria.

Andrew Hilliard, Sr., WR, St. Thomas: A three-year member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he has worked with Loaves and Fishes Foodshelf ... was also in charge of recreational activities as a volunteer for the Beaver Lake Church Vacation Bible School ... has done some work with Habitat for Humanity projects in St. Paul"s Frogtown neighborhood. He is a volunteer for a Special Olympics team ... has coached football, basketball, softball and track & field while serving as a volunteer for the National Youth Sports Program.


Mike Proman, Sr., PK, Amherst: He is the founder of Change For Change at Amherst, a philanthropic organization that provides a mechanism for college students to make an impact in their local community. CFC successfully completed the first year raising just under $5000 for four local organizations ... After successfully completing the 2001 Boston Marathon, he will raise a minimum of $2000 for the Dana Farber Cancer Research Fund by the time he runs the 2003 marathon in April.

Nick Rice, Sr., LB,Thomas More: He started his community service work three years ago visiting handicapped patients at the Drake Center in Cincinnati ... also started speaking to and serving as a role model to at-risk children at the First District School ... participated in Hometown Heroes, a program sponsored by the Diocese of Covington that invited student-athletes from area colleges and universities to talk to students from Catholic elementary and middle schools.