July 17, 2018
NASHVILLE – Vanderbilt’s Khari Blasingame has been named among 169 nominees for the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, recognizing football student-athletes across the country for distinguished accomplishments off the field.
The Commodores have enjoyed tremendous success with the award. Vanderbilt recipients in recent memory include kicker Tommy Openshaw (2017), linebacker Oren Burks (2016), snapper Andrew East (2014) and kicker Carey Spear (2013).
Blasingame, a three-year letterwinner from Huntsville, Ala., has been named to the Dean’s List four times. As an undergraduate, he majored in Medicine, Health and Society with a minor in African American and Diaspora Studies. He graduated in May and has begun working towards a Master of Leadership and Organizational Performance.
He is a team captain and serves on the Leadership Council of the football team. He was elected as the only member to serve as the football representative for the Southeastern Conference Football Leadership Council.
Blasingame has served with Project I Am, volunteering his time as a mentor on campus for first-year minority students. He eventually served as a coordinator of mentor and mentee relationships in the organization.
He is currently the Vice President of the Kappa Theta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha and has put together a number of events through his fraternity. He was also named president of Sankofa, a student-led organization in African American Diaspora Studies.
The student-athletes who are nominated demonstrate a unique dedication to community service and desire to make a positive impact on the lives around them. The nominees also show tremendous perseverance as well as the ability to overcome personal struggles and come out victorious against all odds.
To be in consideration by Allstate and the AFCA for a nomination, each player must be actively involved with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining a strong academic standing.
The final roster of 22 NCAA FBS award recipients and honorary head coach will be unveiled in September.
