Football | 9/16/2025 8:15:00 AM
Northbrook, Ill.- The 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team ® has been announced, and Denison University Football's very own senior offensive lineman, Canyon Schneider, was named as one of 11 Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III, and NAIA recipients. In total, between the two divisions, 22 football student-athletes were named to the 2025 list of honorees, with one honorary head coach, for their extraordinary commitment to community causes and service.
Schneider, a senior captain on the Denison football team, is just the second player to earn this honor. In 2015, Defensive Back Luke Romick was named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team ®.
"I am so excited to share this honor with my family, friends, and Denison University. In no way is this award my own, as each person in my life has influenced me to be who I am. This demonstrates that at the Division III level, anything is possible and that collectively, we have the ability and opportunity to make a difference on campus and in our communities," stated Schneider when asked about what this award means to him. "I was able to talk with Luke Romick, a Denison football alum who also won this award in 2015. He told me, "Be proud that you're making a difference, no matter what accolades come along the way." I think that it sums it up perfectly. I hope that this award is a byproduct of lives that were changed from my service, not my life being changed because of this award. I hope that future Denisonians can use this as a spark to take advantage of the platform we have."
Schneider's causes centered around two things: coaching his younger brother's little league team and volunteering time with Denison's Mission 34 chapter. "Being a big brother is my greatest pride and joy," shared Schneider. "Throughout high school, I assisted my brother's team when I could, and once I reached college, I transitioned into a true coaching role. I quickly discovered that at that age and level of baseball I was coaching, I found happiness in learning from the kids." "On campus, the Mission 34 organization truly changed my life. After struggling with mental health in my transition to Denison, I was introduced to Mission 34 as an outlet for student-athlete mental health. What I soon came to find was the beautiful connection between members, willing to be vulnerable and supportive of one another. In football, we often hear about the need to be physically tough, but Mission 34 aims to end the stigma surrounding mental health through the promotion of 'A New Type of Tough', focusing on mental health and well-being."
A record 195 nominees were submitted by college athletics communications directors and coaches across the nation, highlighting student-athletes who lead with purpose and give back to their communities. For the full release, click HERE.
Since 2008, Allstate Insurance Company has been the title sponsor of the AFCA Good Works Teams, which honors football student-athletes for exemplary community service. These two 11-man teams are selected for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams®, one team from the Football Bowl Subdivision and a second team combined from the Football Championship Subdivision, NCAA Division II and III, and the NAIA. The AFCA has been overseeing the selection of the teams since 1997, taking over from the College Football Association (now defunct), which originated the concept in Division I-A in 1992. The AFCA expanded the program to include all four-year collegiate divisions.
Nominations are submitted early in the summer by athletics communications directors around the country. Nominees must be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group, or community service, and maintain good grades. Candidates must display sincere concern and reliability, while also having made a favorable impression on the organizations with which they are involved. Athletic ability is not a criterion.
