EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern senior Alex Cohen has been named to the 2015 Allstate Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Good Works Team ®, the organization announced Tuesday. She is one of only five female Division I student-athletes from around the country to be selected to the prominent squad.
This prestigious award pays tribute to college basketball players at all levels for their impressive commitment to giving back to their communities and positively impacting the lives of those around them. From raising awareness and funds for autism to helping impoverished communities overseas, the service accomplishments of this year's team are expansive.
Cohen was one of five Division I student-athletes chosen for the Good Works Team from from 93 nominations. A voting panel comprised of former coaches, media members and college basketball legends like Tamika Catchings and Alana Beard chose 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.
Members of the Allstate WBCA Good Works Team®, including Cohen, will be invited to the 2015 WBCA Convention and NCAA Women's Final Four in Tampa, where they will be recognized and participate in a community project to benefit that area.
Cohen has been tirelessly active in raising awareness and funds for autism since arriving on campus in 2011. The veteran Wildcat has been an energetic member of the student organization, Autism Speaks U, since her freshman year. The Bayside, Wis., native joined the organization because of her older brother, Aaron. Aaron Cohen was diagnosed when he was three years old and Alex has always had a passion for making a difference in his life, as well as the lives of all those on the spectrum.
After serving as Autism Speaks U's president for two years, Cohen moved into the role of vice president so that she can focus her attention on the new initiative she envisioned, NU Goes Blue. Cohen served as the event chair for the special night, which was held on Oct. 2. NU Goes Blue raised autism awareness and nearly $20,000.
"Most of the events we've coordinated through Autism Speaks U have been geared specifically toward Northwestern students," said Cohen. "I really wanted to create something that the surrounding community could be involved in as well. When I thought of the idea for NU Goes Blue, one of my main goals was raise autism awareness beyond Northwestern's campus and into the Evanston and Chicagoland communities. We brought everyone together for a fun evening that supported a great cause"
Northwestern also hosted its sixth annual Autism Awareness Game on Dec. 7 when the Loyola Ramblers visited Welsh-Ryan Arena. The game featured a ceremonial tipoff with Cohen the Chicagoland Chapter of Autism Speaks, face painting, postgame autographs, and more. Cohen, who scored 14 points and added four steals that day, was instrumental in planning and promoting the annual event.
In addition to supporting autism awareness and funding, Cohen has participated in numerous other community service events during her time at Northwestern. From visiting patients at Lurie's Children's Hospital, to painting Evanston fire hydrants purple with the Youth Outreach Umbrella, to serving as a mentor at a local middle school, her selfless devotion to making her world a better place to live is inspiring.
Now in its third season, the Allstate Good Works Team helps spotlight the off-the-court good works and service to others that often go unnoticed and unrewarded. As full-time student-athletes, nominees choose to dedicate a large portion of their limited free time to improving the lives of those around them.
"Community service and giving back are an integral part of Allstate's core values, and recognizing the WBCA and NABC Good Works Team® for their commitment in this area is one of the efforts we are most proud of," said Pam Hollander, vice president of marketing for Allstate Insurance Company and a member of the 2015 WBCA and NABC Good Works Teams® selection panels.
"In our third year partnering with the WBCA and NABC, we could not be more honored to have a role in recognizing truly deserving young athletes who encourage all of us to make a positive impact on those around us," said Hollander.
NCAA Division I Allstate WBCA Good Works Team ®
Alex Cohen, Sr., Northwestern
Kyndal Clark, Sr., Drake
Bria Goss, Sr., Kentucky
Stephanie Leon, Sr., Delaware
Devon Roeper, So., Columbia
For more information about the Allstate WBCA Good Works Team ®, please visit WBCA.org.
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