Sept. 21, 2017
Tommy Openshaw is a three-year starter for the Commodores, on his way to becoming one of the program’s most decorated placekickers. Off the field, he’s just as distinguished.
Openshaw, in his fifth year with the Commodores, has been named to the 26th Good Works Team co-sponsored by Allstate and the America Football Coaches Association.
Openshaw, a four-time Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll recipient from Jacksonville, Fla., is involved in numerous community outreach efforts on and around the Vanderbilt campus and is one of 11 student-athletes named to the Allstate AFCA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Good Works Team®.
He also becomes the fourth Commodore student-athlete in the last five years to earn national Good Works Team recognition. Current teammate and linebacker Oren Burks was included on the team last year. Kicker Carey Spear and long snapper Andrew East were honored in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Openshaw’s recognition as a Good Works Team member is based on his impressive combination of accomplishment on and off the gridiron.
“Tommy is a tremendous teammate,” Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason said. “He positively impacts the entire Vanderbilt squad, always providing encouraging and calming words while serving as a role model for all.
“Tommy’s football accomplishments pale in comparison to his many pursuits away from the field. Providing service to others is in Tommy’s DNA,” Mason added.
Openshaw has played an active role in the Nashville-area since arriving on Vanderbilt’s campus. He has assisted the homeless community at Nashville’s Room at the Inn, visited with ailing youngsters at Vanderbilt’s Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital and helped several Catholic charities involving elementary school students.
He also has traveled abroad in each of the last four years to help impoverished communities. He has visited the Dominican Republic on two occasions, St. Lucia and Costa Rica on mission efforts.
On the field, Openshaw is coming off one of the finest seasons ever by a Commodore kicker. He hit 15-of-19 field goal attempts in 2016, including a pair of conversions beyond 50 yards. For his career, Openshaw is 35-of-51 on field goals and ranks sixth on the team’s career charts for field goal conversions. Openshaw’s 188 total points scored is fifth all-time among Commodore kickers entering the 2017 season.
Academically, Openshaw is working toward a master’s degree in Leadership and Organization Performance at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College. A six-time dean’s list recipient, he earned undergraduate degrees in Economics and Engineering Science last May.
Openshaw, also a nominee for the National Football Foundation National Scholar Athlete Award and the 2017 Wuerffel Trophy, is joined on the Allstate AFCA FBS Good Works Team® by Gabe Brandner of Duke, Marvin Saunders of Florida State, Aaron Davis of Georgia, Courtney Love of Kentucky, Brent Stockstill of Middle Tennessee, A.J. Cole II from NC State, Brandon Smith of Penn State, Harrison Phillips from Stanford and Shaq Jones from UAB.
Fans are encouraged to visit ESPN.com/Allstate to vote for the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® Captain through Nov. 23. The Team Captain will be honored at the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
The 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® will be invited to New Orleans to participate in a community project before the 2017 Allstate® Sugar Bowl®, where the team will be recognized at halftime.
The 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® was selected from a group of nominees who were submitted by sports information directors across the country.