Heckel Nominated for Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®
7/16/2019 7:51:00 PM | Football
NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Syracuse redshirt junior offensive lineman Sam Heckel is a nominee for the 2019 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®. He was one of 137 nominees released by the American Football Coaches Association on Tuesday, July 16.
Since 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® has brought together a select group of college football players from across the country to honor their dedication to volunteerism and enriching the lives of others. While players are often recognized for their accomplishments and achievements on game day, the 137 student-athletes nominated have made significant contributions to the greater good of society, inspiring future generations of young athletes and the larger college football community.
An Earth science major, Heckel is in his second year president of the Syracuse University chapter of Uplifting Athletes, which is a nonprofit organization made up of a national network of chapters dedicated to inspiring the rare-disease community through the power of sport. One of Heckel's main functions as president is to organize the 2019 "Lift for Life," which will be held Thursday, July 18 at Manley Field House. Last year's event raised more than $8,000 to benefit those affected by rare diseases.
Supporting those with rare diseases is personal for Heckel, who lives with congenital TTP, a rare blood disorder that requires him to undergo plasmatherapy every three weeks. In 2018, he was a finalist for the Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Award, which is presented annually to a leader in college football who has realized his or her potential to make a positive and lasting impact on the rare-disease community.
On the field, Heckel made 12 starts at left guard in 2017 and then served as the offensive line's "Sixth Man" a year ago, logging playing time in every game and starting once at right guard. He played 444 snaps and registered 19.5 knockdown blocks to assist an Orange offense that the school season records for points (523) and rushing touchdowns (38).
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 the 2019 Good Works Team®.
Comprised of 11 FBS players, 11 players from the FCS, Divisions II, III and the NAIA, and one honorary head coach, the final roster of award recipients will be unveiled on Sept. 12. Once the team members and honorary head coach are announced, fans are encouraged to visit the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® website on ESPN.com to vote for the 2019 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® captain.
Since 2000, five Orange players have been selected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, including 2018 honoree Kielan Whitner.
The Orange kick off the 2019 campaign at Liberty on Saturday, Aug. 31 and open their home schedule on Saturday, Sept. 14 versus Clemson.
Season and single-game tickets are on sale now online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) or in person at the Dome Box Office located in the Ensley Athletic Center. Season tickets start at $125.
Syracuse's single-game ticket allotment for the Clemson game is sold out. The only way to guarantee a seat to watch the Orange and Tigers is through the purchase of a season ticket.
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
Since 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® has brought together a select group of college football players from across the country to honor their dedication to volunteerism and enriching the lives of others. While players are often recognized for their accomplishments and achievements on game day, the 137 student-athletes nominated have made significant contributions to the greater good of society, inspiring future generations of young athletes and the larger college football community.
An Earth science major, Heckel is in his second year president of the Syracuse University chapter of Uplifting Athletes, which is a nonprofit organization made up of a national network of chapters dedicated to inspiring the rare-disease community through the power of sport. One of Heckel's main functions as president is to organize the 2019 "Lift for Life," which will be held Thursday, July 18 at Manley Field House. Last year's event raised more than $8,000 to benefit those affected by rare diseases.
Supporting those with rare diseases is personal for Heckel, who lives with congenital TTP, a rare blood disorder that requires him to undergo plasmatherapy every three weeks. In 2018, he was a finalist for the Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Award, which is presented annually to a leader in college football who has realized his or her potential to make a positive and lasting impact on the rare-disease community.
On the field, Heckel made 12 starts at left guard in 2017 and then served as the offensive line's "Sixth Man" a year ago, logging playing time in every game and starting once at right guard. He played 444 snaps and registered 19.5 knockdown blocks to assist an Orange offense that the school season records for points (523) and rushing touchdowns (38).
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 the 2019 Good Works Team®.
Comprised of 11 FBS players, 11 players from the FCS, Divisions II, III and the NAIA, and one honorary head coach, the final roster of award recipients will be unveiled on Sept. 12. Once the team members and honorary head coach are announced, fans are encouraged to visit the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® website on ESPN.com to vote for the 2019 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® captain.
Since 2000, five Orange players have been selected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, including 2018 honoree Kielan Whitner.
The Orange kick off the 2019 campaign at Liberty on Saturday, Aug. 31 and open their home schedule on Saturday, Sept. 14 versus Clemson.
Season and single-game tickets are on sale now online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) or in person at the Dome Box Office located in the Ensley Athletic Center. Season tickets start at $125.
Syracuse's single-game ticket allotment for the Clemson game is sold out. The only way to guarantee a seat to watch the Orange and Tigers is through the purchase of a season ticket.
For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).
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