Aldridge in the Running for 2016 Allstate WBCA Good Works Team
INDIANAPOLIS – Known for her tireless work ethic on the hardwood, Kansas sophomore guard Lauren Aldridge has the same attitude and mentality off the court, especially when giving back to the community. For all of her contributions to the community, Aldridge is being recognized as a nominee for the 2016 Allstate Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Good Works Team, announced Wednesday morning by the WBCA.
Aldridge has donned the Crimson and Blue for a full season and now in the midst of year two, the young point guard is making the most of her time in Lawrence on and off the court. The Marshfield, Missouri native is double majoring in political science and journalism with hopes of pursuing a career in coaching men’s basketball or sports broadcasting.
“Every day, I play with ‘Kansas’ across my chest and that means more than anything. It means that I am competing for something and representing something that is bigger than myself,” Aldridge said.
In addition to her performance in the classroom and on the court, Aldridge has also taken her tireless work ethic into the Lawrence area. As a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the women’s basketball team, Aldridge has become very active in giving back to the community that supports her.
Aldridge, who has younger siblings at home, spends a lot of her time giving back to the youth of Lawrence. She’s participated in the Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family during the Holiday season, where she shopped for gifts for a local family. She also visited Lawrence Memorial Hospital before the Holidays to hand out KU gear and spread holiday cheer.
The Holidays aren’t her only time spent in the community, as Aldridge makes the commitment to give back year-round by also being a pen pal to a local elementary student. Additionally, she participates in basketball camps and clinics while also assisting with the Douglas County Special Olympics clinic. Aldridge is active in SAAC-sponsored events like Crimson and Boo, a trick-or-treat event with student-athletes, and Hawks, Cops and Kids, which educates children on drugs, alcohol and allows kids to interact with law enforcement and student-athletes.
Aldridge’s latest project has impacted the entire student-athlete population at Kansas. She has worked over the last year to get Fellowship of Christian Athletes up and running on campus. Her efforts were accomplished at the beginning of this academic year and KU’s FCA now meets each Sunday.
In its fourth year, the Allstate WBCA Good Works Teams recognize players at all levels of college basketball who have made outstanding contributions in the areas of volunteerism and civic involvement. From establishing nonprofits that provide youth with the necessary tools to become leaders of tomorrow, to raising awareness around pertinent issues that could save lives, these student-athletes exhibit impeccable leadership skills both on and off the court.
From the nominations, special voting panels, headlined by former University of Tennessee basketball athlete, NCAA champion and WNBA legend Tamika Catchings, and former Duke University basketball athlete, two-time NCAA champion and seven-time NBA All-Star Grant Hill, will select a 10-member team comprised of five student-athletes from the NCAA Division I level and five student-athletes from Divisions II, III and the NAIA. The final roster of 10 award recipients will be unveiled in February.
Members of the Allstate WBCA Good Works Team will be recognized during the 2016 WBCA Convention and at the 2016 NCAA Women’s Final Four in Indianapolis, and will also participate in a local volunteer project. Allstate is an official corporate partner of the WBCA and NCAA.
More information about the Allstate WBCA Good Works Team® and the Allstate NABC Good Works Team® is available at www.wbca.org.
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