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 Jeff Chambers was named to the 2001 AFCA Good Works Team for his dedication and commitment to community service. |
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Sept. 19, 2001
Cullowhee, N.C. - Jeff Chambers, a senior defensive tackle at Western Carolina, has been named to the 2001 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team.
Chambers (Spencer, N.C./North Rowan HS) is one of 22 players across the country to be honored for his dedication and commitment to community service. Honorees are additionally selected based on their sincere concern and reliability, while also having made a favorable impression on the organizations with which they are involved.
The AFCA named 11 student-athletes to the NCAA I-A team and 11 players to a combined team from Divisions I-AA, II, III and NAIA. Chambers' selection additionally marks the second consecutive season a Catamount has been honored, as former running back Tracy Biggs was selected to the 2000 AFCA Good Works Team for starting a Big Brother mentor program.
Chambers spent this past summer as Residence Life Coordinator for WCU's Upward Bound Math & Science Program, supervising each high school student's dorm life while staying on campus. He has maintained the Big Brother mentor program started by Biggs, while being a volunteer with the Special Olympics. Chambers participated in the "Get on the Bus" campaign to rally support for a state bond, which would benefit residence halls in the University of North Carolina system. He prepared and served food at the Community Table of Sylva, which provides free meals to people of need in Jackson County, as well as reading to students at "Dr. Seuss Day" at Cullowhee Valley Elementary School and speaking to students at Cherokee Middle School students who are interested in pursuing athletics.
"If ever a young man is deserving of this honor, Jeff Chambers is," WCU head coach Bill Bleil said. "He personifies what a student-athlete should be. He is a great leader that positively affects everyone around him."
"Jeff did an amazing job this past summer with our students," said Maggie Donahue, assistant director of Upward Bound. "He was professional and very dedicated. The students loved him and he was a tremendous role model for them."
"Jeff's position was a tough one," said Upward Bound student Nagowski Yang. "For him to handle everything that happened, I look at him as a real leader. Jeff always treated everyone with respect and was very patient."
"Jeff was a very supportive person," said Upward Bound student Tesca Byrd. "I will never forget how he stayed with me when I missed my bus. He could have done his own thing and went home like everyone else but he stayed with me until I got on my bus the next day."
"It says a lot about the character of these young men that they can find the time to devote themselves to the community," AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff said. "It is our pleasure to honor these student-athletes for all they have done."
Chambers, a captain on this year's football team, is a four-year starter along at defensive front. He has 19.5 tackles for losses in his career, including 9.5 sacks. Chambers is also an All-Southern Conference track performer, finishing runner-up in the discus (147' 10") at last spring's SoCon Outdoor Championships.
2001 AFCA Good Works Team
NCAA DIVISION I-A NCAA DIVISIONS I-AA, II, III and NAIA Brooks Bollinger Jr., QB Wisconsin Brian Brenberg Sr., WR St. Thomas (Minn.) Rohan Davey Sr., QB Louisiana State JEFF CHAMBERS Sr., DT WCU Nick Eason Sr., DT Clemson Calvin Coleman Sr., CB Montana Joaquin Gonzalez Sr., OT Miami Jeremy Conley Jr., WR Duquesne Patrick Kabongo So., DT Nebraska Ben Foster Sr., RB Wofford Graham Manley Sr., TE Syracuse Kelby Klosterman Jr., QB North Dakota Chris Porter Sr., RB Texas El-Paso Derek Leonard Sr., QB Illinois College John Richardson Sr., OG Boston College Quincy Malloy Sr., DT Methodist College Charles Robinson Sr., FS Colorado Donell McNeal Sr., DE Idaho State John Stinchcomb Jr., OT Georgia Elisha Morris Sr., TE Cumberland (Ky.) College Eli Wnek Sr., DE Arizona Jared Moses Sr., WR Jacksonville
