Collin Klein Named Candidate for AFCA Good Works Team
By kstatesports
Wildcat signal caller is fourth K-State player in the last five years up for the award
July 17, 2012
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State senior quarterback Collin Klein is one of 52 student-athletes from FBS institutions to be named a candidate for the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association announced Tuesday. The award recognizes a select group of college football players committed to making a difference in their communities.
Klein, who was one of 117 candidates from across all levels of NCAA and NAIA football, is the fourth Wildcat in the last five years to be named a candidate for one of the most prestigious off-the-field awards.
A two-year team captain, Klein has already earned his degree from K-State following a 4.0 GPA during the 2011 fall semester in which he picked up Academic All-Big 12 accolades. He has also been very active in the Manhattan community since his arrival on campus in 2008. A member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Klein has regularly visited local retirement centers, been active in Read to Achieve in which he has helped out at elementary schools, has taken part in Adopt-a-Family during the holiday season and has been a regular volunteer for the Special Olympics Sports Clinic at K-State.
Additionally, Klein has been heavily involved in local church group activities throughout the Manhattan community as he has served as a prayer group leader for Grace Baptist Church and has been the keynote speaker at multiple Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and Christian Meetings.
On the field, Klein rushed for 1,141 yards and a Big 12 and FBS quarterback record 27 touchdowns while throwing for 1,918 yards and 13 touchdowns on 161-of-281 aim. The Loveland, Colo., product took home honorable mention All-American honors from Sports Illustrated, while he was a First Team All-Big 12 performer as an all-purpose player by the Associated Press.
In order to meet the criteria set forth by Allstate and the AFCA, each player must be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or community service while maintaining a strong academic standing.
From the nominees submitted by sports information directors across the nation on behalf of their schools, a special voting panel consisting of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members and prominent college football media members will select two 11-player Good Works Teams – one comprised of players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and another representing players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA. The final roster of 22 award recipients will be unveiled in September.
Allstate and the AFCA will launch the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team website on ESPN.com featuring profiles and images of the final team members, as well as the opportunity for fans to vote for the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Captain.
Klein and the Wildcats begin the 2012 season with the fourth annual K-State Family Reunion on September 1, as K-State hosts Missouri State at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. A four-pack of tickets for the game against the Bears and the North Texas contest on September 15 can be purchased by August 1 for $75.
Tickets for the highly-anticipated contest against the University of Miami on September 8 are also going fast but remain available. Bench seating is on sale for $75, while premium bench seating can be purchased for $85. For more information on season or single-game tickets, contact the K-State Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-221-CATS or visitwww.k-statesports.com/tickets.