Central College tight end and Pella Christian graduate Cory Nikkel is among 22 football players from across the country that have been named to the Allstate American Football Coaches Association “Good Works Team”. Considered one of college football’s most prestigious community service awards, the honor recognizes student-athletes for their dedication to improving the lives of others, in addition to maintaining good academic standing.

Half of the players selected represent Division I FBS colleges. Nikkel was named to the other half, which represents Divisions II and III, the NAIA, and the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). He and the 21 other honorees will travel to New Orleans in January for the 2012 Allstate Sugar Bowl, where they will participate in a community service project, and be introduced at halftime of the Sugar Bowl game.

Cory Nikkel is an English and secondary education double-major at Central College, and carries a 3.77 grade point average. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound tight end has traveled on numerous mission trips, featuring stops in San Antonio, Texas; Mexico; Peru; and Australia; and is active in Central’s service-learning and Campus Ministries programs.

A passion for service work hasn’t hampered Nikkel on the football field, though. He is a co-captain on this year’s Dutch team, where he earned a starting role for the first time, and recently caught his first career touchdown pass in a 37-9 win over Luther College.

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