NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Two student-athletes from Southern Connecticut State University – junior women's basketball captain
Nicole Grossbard (Pearl River, N.Y.) and senior men's basketball captain
Luke Houston (Pearl River, N.Y.) – have been selected as nominees for the 2015 Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams®. The announcement was made earlier today by The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and Allstate Insurance Company.
This prestigious community service award recognizes a distinguished group of student-athletes who have demonstrated a commitment to enriching the lives of others and contributing to the greater good in their communities.
College sports information directors and basketball coaches across the country nominated players who exhibit exceptional leadership skills and an unwavering commitment to volunteerism.
From the 158 NABC nominees and 93 WBCA nominees, distinguished voting panels will select two 10-member teams comprised of five student-athletes from the NCAA® Division I level and five student-athletes from NCAA Divisions II, III and the NAIA. The final roster of 20 award recipients will be unveiled in February.
Grossbard has been a three-year starter for the Owls as a guard. She led the Owls in assists last year and is currently tops on the club in that department again this season.
She has been lauded extensively for her work in the classroom, including selections to the Northeast-10 Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll and as a Division II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award recipient.
Grossbard is a nursing major with a 3.42 cumulative grade point average. She has been involved with numerous outreach initiatives while at SCSU, including volunteer efforts at the Stratton Faxon Road Race, Southern Day of Service, the Wallingford Boys and Girls Club and the annual Girls and Women in Sport Day event.
Previously named to the NABC Honors Court last year for his work in the classroom, Houston averaged 8.8 points, 6.6 rebounds (team-high), 2.6 assists and 2.0 steals per game (team-high) for the Owls last year during its run to the Elite Eight. He was named to the Northeast-10 Conference All-Championship Team for his play in helping the Owls claim their first-ever tournament title. Houston also ranked No. 14 in Division II in total steals in 2013-14.
This year, he is averaging 18.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game for the Owls (6-0), which are ranked No. 2 nationally in multiple media outlets.
He has also been recognized for his work in the classroom previously as a Northeast-10 Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll selection and as a Division II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award recipient.
Houston is a nursing major with a 3.61 cumulative grade point average. He has been active throughout his collegiate career with several initiatives including Hoops for Hunger clinics, volunteer work in conjunction with the Special Olympics, academic work at local New Haven schools and food making assistance for local shelters.
