Jordan Lancaster, a senior offensive lineman from Charleston Southern University, and Madison McCalmon, a senior offensive lineman from the University of the Cumberlands, were among 22 selected in the fall for the Good Works Team, which honors football student athletes for exemplary community service.
The team consists of 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (I-A) and 11 combined from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA), Divisions II, III and the NAIA. All 22 team members were honored during the Sugar Bowl matchup between Ohio State and Arkansas.
Lancaster, of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., leads a male athlete Bible study group at CSU, tutors elementary school children and is a volunteer youth softball coach and a youth pastor intern at Highest Praise Worship Center in Shallotte, N.C. A six-time CSU scholar-athlete, Lancaster is the winner of the CSU Football Total Athlete Award.
"First and foremost I just try to honor God and put Him first in all that I do," Lancaster said. "I always try to help others out whenever I can. I know there are a lot of people out there who are doing a lot more than I am, and my praise goes out to all of those people who may not be getting recognized for everything that they are doing."
McCalmon, of Ringgold, Ga., is president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter at Cumberlands and has volunteered his time reading at local elementary schools and escorting residents of a local nursing home. He has also participated in mission trips to Ecuador, Jamaica and New Orleans. McCalmon's home church is First Baptist in LaFayette, Ga., and he attends Main Street Baptist Church in Williamsburg, Ky., while at college.
"I always end up bringing back more than I give with the experiences I receive," McCalmon said. "I've learned a lot of lessons about life, and when I graduate, I want to become a missionary. I feel like that's where God has called me to be. My grandfather told me if you are ever put in the position to where others look up to you and you have influence on other people, use that opportunity to help others and make their lives easier, and I really try to remember that in everything I do."
Compiled by Tim Ellsworth, editor of BPSports (www.BPSports.net). Ellsworth also is director of news and media relations at Union University in Jackson, Tenn.
Copyright (c) 2011 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press www.BPNews.net
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