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July 17, 2012

Charlottesville, Va. – Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced Tuesday that Virginia junior quarterback Michael Rocco (Lynchburg, Va.) has been named a nominee for the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.As one of college football’s most prestigious off-the-field honors, the award recognizes a select group of college football players committed to making a difference in their communities.

Last season Rocco passed for 2,671 yards, the most productive season every by a first-year quarterback at Virginia. His season passing total ranks as the fourth best individual season in Cavalier history. He threw for 312 yards in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, the second highest total by a UVa signal caller in a bowl game.

Rocco has been very involved in the football team’s community services activities. He is a participant in the ACE Program (Athletes Committed to Community and Education). Through ACE he volunteers at Venable Elementary School in Charlottesville as a tutor in its after-school program. He attends twice a month during football season weekly during the winter/spring semesters. He has been involved in the team’s annual “Get in the Game, Save a Life” bone marrow donor registration drive and is a frequent speaker at Fellowship of Christian Athlete events.

“This year’s Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® nominees have some of the most impressive community service resumes in the program’s 21-year history,” said Kathy Mabe, president of Allstate’s West regions and a member of the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team voting panel. “These young men continue to raise the bar for the impact that student-athletes can have on others, and are an inspiration to Allstate, our agents and our employees.”

In order to meet the criteria set forth by Allstate and the AFCA, each player must be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or community service while maintaining a strong academic standing.

The Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams were 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 partnered to present the award starting with the 2008 season.

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