MOUNT ALOYSIUS STUDENT-ATHLETE NAMED TO NABC GOOD WORKS TEAM

Aaron Patrick, a senior guard and four-year member of Mount Aloysius College men's basketball team, has been named to the 2014 Allstate NABC Good Works Team, as announced this week by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).

The NABC, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and Allstate Insurance Company announced 20 men's and women's college basketball student-athletes named to the 2014 Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams.  Now in its second year, this preeminent community service honor recognizes college basketball players who have made a commitment to improving their communities and the lives of others.

Mount Aloysius President Tom Foley applauded the choice of Aaron Patrick by the NABC.  “Aaron Patrick personifies the highest ideals of Mount Aloysius College and the traditions of our founding Sisters of Mercy.  He carries himself with a quiet humility that hides his magnanimous spirit, generous heart and disciplined intellect.  He is a tough and selfless athlete on the court and we are very proud to have Aaron Patrick represent himself and Mount Aloysius College in such elite company.”  

Among his community service contributions, Patrick, an education major from Johnsonburg, Pa., helped out in Guyana, South America during spring break of 2013.  While there, he worked at St. John Bosco’s orphanage in Georgetown, donating his efforts to teaching reading and writing to underprivileged elementary aged children. In addition, he helped clean and perform needed repairs at the orphanage. Leading up to his visit, Patrick helped organize fundraising projects with the proceeds being used to purchase school supplies for the orphaned children.

Patrick's other community service efforts included participation in an afterschool program at Penn Cambria Middle School, where he taught reading to at-risk students. He has volunteered time in the last two years to cook and serve meals at a homeless shelter in Johnstown through the Campus Crusade for Christ.  On various weekends, Patrick helps host high school and middle school students who visit the Mount Aloysius campus as part of the Mercy Youth Initiative.  He has also participated in the international Soles4Souls drives that collect and distribute needed footwear around the world.  During the summer months he has worked at several youth camps throughout the east coast.

"It's a genuine honor to be selected and mentioned in the same breath as so many other distinguished players,” Patrick said. "I feel very blessed to have parents and coaches who have set such a great example for me and taught me the value of helping others."

Lance Loya, Patrick’s coach for the last four years at Mount Aloysius College, added “I have never been more proud of any player who has ever played for me.  Aaron embodies everything our basketball program stands for, and the NABC could not have selected a more worthy individual."

The Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams are each comprised of 10 student-athletes; five from the NCAA Division I and five from NCAA Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

The final team rosters were chosen by prestigious voting panels comprised of former coaches, student-athletes and members of the media.  Included in the voting panel were Grant Hill (Duke), Greg Anthony (UNLV & TNT television), Mateen Cleaves (Michigan State & Big Ten Network), Bobby Cremins (College of Charleston & Hall of Fame), Seth Greenburg (ESPN) and Seth Davis (Sports Illustrated/CBS).

Usually it's a player's athletic performance on the court that is recognized.  However, the Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams shine a light on the positive impact these student-athletes have off the court and in their communities.  The 20 young men and women named to this year's teams demonstrate the unique ability to balance academics with athletics while committing themselves to giving back to others.

“The 10 young men selected to the 2014 NABC Good Works Team amplify the significant contributions of all of the men's basketball student-athletes across America,” said NABC Executive Director Jim Haney. “We are proud to partner with Allstate to celebrate them as outstanding role models and for the positive impact they have made in their communities, the nation and the world.”