UofL’s Cortnee Walton & Trey Lewis Nominated to NABC Good Works Team

Mark BlankenbakerDecember 3, 2015

University of Louisville women’s basketball’s Cortnee Walton is a nominee for the 2016 Allstate Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and National Association of Basketball Coaches Good Works Team, it was announced on Wednesday.

In its fourth year, the Allstate WBCA and NABC Good Works Teams^® recognize players at all levels of college basketball who have made outstanding contributions in the areas of volunteerism and civic involvement. From establishing nonprofits that provide youth with the necessary tools to become leaders of tomorrow, to raising awareness around pertinent issues that could save lives, these student-athletes exhibit leadership skills both on and off the court.

Walton, who graduated with her bachelor’s degree in less than four years, has participated in a plethora of community service activities. Among the many, she has volunteered her time to Family Scholar House (provides academic and family support services for disadvantaged families), Girls on the Run (teach life skills to 3rd-8th grade girls through games and compete in a celebratory 5K), and Women 4 Women (raise money for female organizations in the city through a 5K walk/run).

The Surprise, Ariz., native also has dedicated time to Maryhurst (mentoring young girls who struggle with emotional/behavioral disabilities and normally have to be placed in out-of-state facilities for treatment), Bring Peace Home (raise awareness about family violence prevention), Read to Achieve (reading to and speaking with elementary school student on literacy importance), and Healthy Hoops Clinic for Kids (clinic put on by legendary UofL basketball player Darrell Griffith that encourages kids with asthma to stay active).

“The 2016 Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams^®nominees are truly inspirational and their stories of service are a great example of the impact young people can make by dedicating their time and energy to do good,” Thomas Clarkson, president of the west territory for Allstate Insurance Company and a member of the 2016 NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams^® selection panels, said. “For the fourth year, Allstate is honored to join the NABC and WBCA to recognize these student-athletes for their leadership off the court to help make a difference.”

From the nominations, special voting panels, headlined by former Tennessee basketball athlete, NCAA champion and WNBA legend Tamika Catchings, and former Duke basketball athlete, two-time NCAA® champion and seven-time NBA All-Star Grant Hill, will select two 10-member teams comprised of five student-athletes from the NCAA Division I level and five student-athletes from Divisions II, III and the NAIA. The final roster of 20 award recipients will be unveiled in February.

Members of the Allstate WBCA Good Works Team® will be invited by Allstate, an official corporate partner of the NCAA, to the 2016 WBCA Convention and the 2016 NCAA Women’s Final Four® in Indianapolis, where they will participate in a community service project benefitting the city. Members of the Allstate NABC Good Works Team® will be recognized during the 2016 NABC Convention and at the 2016 NCAA Men’s Final Four® in Houston, and will also participate in a local volunteer project. Allstate is an official corporate partner of the WBCA, NABC, and NCAA.

Trey Lewis

University of Louisville guard Trey Lewis is among a group of 154 nominees for the 2016 Allstate National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Good Works Team®. The distinguished award shines a spotlight on a select group of student-athletes who have shown dedication to service in their communities.

Former UofL guard Peyton Siva received recognition on the Allstate NABC Good Works team as a senior in 2013.

A graduate transfer from Cleveland, Lewis has a passion for community service and doing his best to make an impact off the court. Whether if it is talking to local schools, church groups, summer camps, participating in health education, or visiting those who have suffered traumatic accidents, Lewis invests significant personal time to connect with each individual.

Among the specific projects in which Lewis has participated is Special Spectators, which provides kids suffering from serious illnesses with the chance to have a VIP Game Day. As a portion of the day, Trey gave four VIC (Very Important Cardinals) a look into the basketball facility and left a surprise in his locker for the kids to find.

Lewis has played a key role helping with the success of the inaugural year for Louie’s Fit Friends. The Louie’s Fit Friends program strives to foster the interests of elementary aged students in team sports and physical activity by using UofL student-athletes as local role models to demonstrate how easy and fun participating in team sports and exercise can be. The program started with seven schools, and Trey has been a significant factor in reaching out to young students and educating them on the importance of staying healthy and being active.

In its fourth year, the Allstate NABC Good Works Teams recognizes players at all levels of college basketball who have made outstanding contributions in the areas of volunteerism and civic involvement. From establishing nonprofits that provide youth with the necessary tools to become leaders of tomorrow, to raising awareness around pertinent issues that could save lives, these student-athletes exhibit leadership skills both on and off the court.

The 154 NABC nominees were submitted by sports information directors and college basketball coaches across the country. The final roster of 10 award recipients will be unveiled in February.

Members of the Allstate NABC Good Works Team® will be invited by Allstate, an official corporate partner of the NCAA, to the 2016 NABC Convention and 2016 NCAA Men’s Final Four® in Houston, where they will participate in a community service project benefitting the city.