MANHATTAN – Kansas State senior offensive lineman Dalton Risner is one of 22 student-athletes nationally and 11 from FBS institutions named to the 2018 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team, Allstate Insurance Company and the AFCA announced Thursday. The award recognizes student-athletes for their unparalleled commitment to their communities.
A product of Wiggins, Colorado, Risner is the third Wildcat all-time to be named to the team, joining former quarterback and current Co-Offensive Coordinator Collin Klein (2012) along with fullback Victor Mann (2005).
Aside from his work on the field as one of the top offensive linemen in the country, Risner has made it a priority in his life to positively affect others both in the Manhattan community and across the country. He has started the Rise Up Foundation in both a blog and vlog form on Facebook Live. The goal is to “encourage everyone to RISE above the evil and sin in this world and be a positive shining light in the lives of others.”
Risner has taken this goal to heart as he visits Buttonwood Special Needs Home on a regular basis and has bonded with one particular resident, as he and Mike spend time together both at the house and various places in the community. Risner has also been a Big Brother to a boy named Kaden, who was diagnosed with leukemia but has since gone into remission. Risner and Kaden have spent time together playing sports, and Risner has taught Kaden how to play football.
A speaker through schools both in the community and his hometown of Wiggins, Risner shares his story of football, faith and community service, and his speeches center around dreaming big and accomplishing goals. He has also taken the time to send messages and signed memorabilia to people – both young and old – battling various difficulties in life.
“It goes without saying how excited we are to recognize this diverse group of student-athletes and honorary head coach for their unwavering commitment to serving others and making a difference in their communities,” Dave Prendergast, president of the Eastern Territory at Allstate Insurance Company and Good Works Team voting member, said. “Our goal for this program is to shed light on the often unnoticed and unrewarded acts of kindness off the field. Whether it’s serving as a mentor for local youth or donating time and energy to raising awareness of social issues, these young men are setting an outstanding example in the football community and beyond.”
The AFCA Good Works Team has played a prominent role in collegiate sports for more than 25 years, celebrating student-athletes and the honorary head coach for their extraordinary commitment to making a lasting impact off the field.
The 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team will be invited to New Orleans to participate in a special community service project ahead of the 2019 Allstate Sugar Bowl where the entire team will also be recognized on the field during a halftime presentation.
“Football programs across the country do an excellent job of giving back to their local communities and helping those in need,” AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry said. “The 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team honors those select few student-athletes and one head coach who go above and beyond in the service of others.”
Risner is also a candidate for this year’s Wuerffel Trophy, which honors players for their community-service efforts, while he was the 2017-18 Big 12 Male Sportsperson of the Year.
Kansas State closes out its regular season non-conference slate with a visit from UTSA on Saturday inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The annual Fort Riley Day game kicks off at 3 p.m., and the contest will be televised by FSN.