South Dakota State's Zenner Honored For Off-The-Field Work

As one of the top running backs in college football, South Dakota State's Zach Zenner is used to being recognized for his accomplishments on the field.

But now the senior is being singled out for what he does away from the gridiron.

Zenner has been named to the 2014 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team for his community service efforts.

The two-time All-American has served as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, including Summit League Food Fight (yearly competition among league schools for donations to local food pantry), Project Joy (holiday toy drive) and campus cleanup. He also has worked the past three years with the State-a-Thon event to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, including coaching children on fundamental football skills, leading devotionals at FCA Power Camp and speaking to area youth groups at other FCA events.

This past winter, Zenner served as a student-athlete ambassador, testifying before state House and Senate Appropriations committees as the state Legislature debated passage of a bill to authorize construction of a new on-campus football stadium.

Zenner’s service has also taken him out of the country, as he was one of 25 SDSU student-athletes who traveled to Jamaica in March on a mission trip to help build two homes and interact with members of the village through the Won by One organization.

The Allstate AFCA team is made up of 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA to comprise the 22-player group.

This year's squad was selected from a field of 182 nominations from colleges and universities across the country.

South Dakota State's Winston Wright was a member of last year's team.