July 17, 2012
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By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Always a leader on and off the field for the UCF football program, senior Rob Calabrese has been nominated for the 2012 Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team® Tuesday. The award recognizes a select group of college football players committed to making a difference in their communities.
A total of 117 student-athletes from colleges and universities across the country were nominated, and a special voting panel will select two 11-player Good Works Teams® - one comprised of players from the NCAA FBS and another representing players from the NCAA FCS, 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.
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. The teams were established in 1992 by the College Football Association.
A native of Islip Terrace, N.Y., Calabrese has been with the Knights since his true freshman season in 2008 when he led UCF in passing yards, completions and touchdown passes. He switched over to wide receiver before the 2011 campaign and earned a medical redshirt last year. While on the sideline, he still showed up to every practice and served as an instrumental voice for his teammates throughout the season.
In the community, Calabrese has spent numerous hours representing the Knights during his career. After visiting Winter Park in 2010 to raise awareness about UCF, he met with kids in 2011 as part of the Achieve a College Education program and emphasized the importance of earning a college degree.
Calabrese also participated in the 2011 American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and attended an event at the South Trail Branch Library to meet and greet families to help promote reading. This year, he spent time playing games and inspiring young kids at the UCF Creative School for Children, while also traveling to Jackson Heights Middle School where he ate lunch with students and talked to them about receiving a good education, being active in athletics and serving as a role model.
In the classroom, Calabrese received a bachelor's degree in sport and fitness after the 2012 spring semester.
Calabrese and the Knights kick off the 2012 season Aug. 30 at Akron, while the home opener is set for Sept. 15 vs. FIU. UCF football season tickets are currently available for as low as $140, while single-game tickets and flex plans are also on sale. For more information and to place an order, call the UCF Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000 or visit UCFAthletics.com. Attending a UCF football game is a great way to celebrate birthdays, corporate outings or any special occasion. Please ask about group packages today.