Posted: Jan 05, 2012
The members of the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team also surprised more than 150 children from the YMCA of Greater New Orleans at Tad Gormley Stadium Monday.�Each member of the Good Works Team coached a small group of kids in various football drills and assisted in playing games of two-hand touch football.
Heppner was one of 22 football players from across the country selected to the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Heppner, a native of Mansfield, Mo., was one of 11 players named to the Good Works Team comprised of student-athletes from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III, and the NAIA. Just one other NAIA player made this year's Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. Eleven players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision were selected to a separate team. A record total of 132 players from all collegiate levels from across the nation were nominated for this year's Good Works Team. To see the complete list of players on this year's Good Works Team, visit AFCA.com.
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team recognizes the commitment to service and volunteerism demonstrated by the 22 players selected. For the second straight year, fans will be able to vote for a Team Captain for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team by visiting ESPN.com and searching "Good Works." The site will also feature profiles of each of the award recipients. Members of the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team will also earn trips to New Orleans, where they will take part in a special volunteer project and also be introduced at halftime of the 2012 Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Heppner has been active in a variety of volunteer and community service programs. After his younger sister, Emma, was diagnosed with cancer and underwent extensive treatment a couple years ago, Heppner has volunteered a large amount of time at events supporting cancer research for children. He has been an active leader in the CMU football team's free youth clinic the past three years, along with serving at the Special Olympics flag football clinic and the Special Olympics track & field championships. Heppner has also served as a "driver" for the Walking School Bus program in Fayette. During spring break 2011, Heppner was one of several Central Methodist students who traveled to El Paso, Texas, for a mission trip. He has also organized and served as a leader of a local Bible study with athletes, and has volunteered at his local Vacation Bible School. At CMU, Heppner has also served as a leadership mentor and group orientation leader for new students the past two years, and served as a volunteer judge for local science fair competitions.
On the field, Heppner is a two-year letter winner for the Central Methodist football team, serving as a key member of the Eagles' special teams, as well as a backup defensive back. He has received the CMU football strength & conditioning award for the past three seasons, and in 2010-11 Heppner was named the top CMU strength & conditioning athlete overall. In addition, Heppner has maintained a 4.0 GPA during his collegiate career. Last year, he received the Dr. James M. Luetjen Scholar-Athlete Award, given to the junior student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA at Central Methodist. He was also a 2010 Daktronics-NAIA Football Scholar-Athlete.
