NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Senior safety Mathias Bertram and head coach Jason Eck have been nominated to the AFCA Allstate Good Works Team.
 
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff off the field. AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate worked to present the award starting with the 2008 season.
 
Bertram, a native of Albuquerque, N.M., has looked for service opportunities since early on in his life, working to provide meals in homeless shelters. This summer, he went on a weeklong mission trip to Peru and also serves as the Vice President of Vandal Catholic at U of I.
 
His biggest challenge is Peter's Paycheck, a non-profit that he is working with his mother to get off the ground. Peter's paycheck is dedicated to showing the true potential of adults with developmental disabilities in the workplace. With a goal to advance their dignity, equality, and self-determination.
 
Bertram joins Montana State's Tommy Mellot as the only Big Sky Conference nominees. They are two of 136 total Good Works Team nominees. The team will be whittled down to 22 student-athletes and one coach who will be honored at the All-State Sugar Bowl. A panel will determine the winners.
 
Joining Bertram as a nominee is Vandal Football head coach Jason Eck. Eck serves as a coaches council member for the Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation, which helps increase bone marrow registry. In just two years of doing the registry, the Vandals have helped over 1,000 people register for the Be The Match Bone Marrow Registry.
 
Eck is also generous with his time in many other local charitable events and organizations. Eck is one of 21 coaches nominated for the team and the only one from the Big Sky.