NACDA Release

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Illinois Wesleyan University men's track and field senior Ashtin Elder (Chenoa, Ill.-Prairie Central) was named to the Allstate NACDA Good Works Winter Team list of nominees Tuesday morning, Jan. 13. Elder was one of 180 winter student-athlete nominees across NCAA Division I, II, and III to be recognized and one of five College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin nominees. 

The Allstate NACDA Good Works Team recognizes 60 student-athletes annually across fall, winter and spring seasons. The initiative surpassed 500 nominees over the course of its inaugural year in 2024. Those recognized on the list span all divisions, and go above and beyond in their commitment to community service, academic achievement, and athletic performance. A distinguished selection committee of athletics directors, former athletes and industry leaders will choose the final 20-member team - 10 female and 10 male student-athletes - which is set to be released on Feb. 4.

Elder balances being a student-athlete on the track and field team and photographer in the IWU athletic communications office. He was awarded the "Photo of the Year" award in the 2025 College Sports Communicators Creative and Digital Design Contest for his incredible photos of an Illinois Wesleyan men's volleyball celebration and his photo of an IWU softball home run celebration.

Despite owning his own photography business, Elder consistently uses his talents to give back to his church and community. He is a stalwart volunteer at his local church, mentoring in the nursery and donating his photography and videography skills as a content creator on the church's social media platforms. Elder also offers photography classes at no cost to those in his hometown. 

He also assists in mission trip initiatives around the world, sponsoring a child in Kenya and paying for their high school and college tuition and assisting in Eastview's Kenya Sports Outreach program, including donating shoes to athletes in need in Kenya.

About the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team: The Allstate NACDA Good Works Team was established in 2024 to recognize male and female student-athletes across all collegiate sports and divisions for their leadership in community service, academics and athletics. Building on the legacy of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, which has honored college football players since 1992, this expanded initiative highlights the impact of student-athletes who go beyond the game to serve others.
 
About NACDA: Now in its 61st year, NACDA is the professional and educational Association for more than 23,000 college athletics administrators at more than 2,300 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. NACDA manages 19 professional associations and four foundations. In addition to virtual programming, NACDA hosts and/or has a presence at seven major professional development events in-person annually. The NACDA & Affiliates Convention is the largest gathering of collegiate athletics administrators in the country. For more information, visit www.nacda.com.