Joaquin Gonzalez Named To AFCA Good Works Team

Sept. 19, 2001

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – – Senior offensive tackle Joaquin Gonzalez has been one of 11 NCAA Division I-A football players selected to the prestigious 2001 AFCA Good Works Team, chosen by the American Football Coaches Association in recognition of outstanding community service to the area in which they live.

“It says a lot about the character of these young men that they can find the time to devote themselves to the community,” AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff said of the members of the 2001 Good Works Team. “It is our pleasure to honor these student-athletes for all they have done.”

Gonzalez, a senior from Columbus High School in Miami who earned First-Team All-America honors in 2000, is the fourth Miami player to earn a spot on the team since 1996. Previous UM honorees included Tony Coley (1996), Ryan Clement (1997) and Nate Brooks (1998).

Nominations were submitted to the AFCA by college sports information departments. Nominees have to be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or involved in other community service activities. Candidates must display sincere concern and reliability, while also having made a favorable impression on the organizations with which they are involved. Athletic ability is not a criterion for selection to the Good Works Team.

Gonzalez is already among the most widely decorated football players in UM history. He works with First Mentors, a partnership with Big Brothers/Big Sisters that pairs student-athletes with a child to serve as a mentor. He also is involved in the Read To Win program, showing elementary school students the relationship between good learning skills and success as an athlete. A student in Miami’s graduate MBA program, Gonzalez received a bachelor’s degree in business marketing in December of 2000.