NACDA Release

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Ashtin Elder (Chenoa, Ill.-Prairie Central), a senior on the Illinois Wesleyan University track and field team, was named to the 2025-26 Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Winter). Elder was one of 20 student-athletes, across all divisions, chosen for the winter team. 

The Allstate NACDA Good Works Team honors 60 student-athletes throughout the year, across the winter, spring and fall sports seasons (20 student-athletes per season – 10 male and 10 female) over all sports and all divisions.

A total of 11 Division III student-athletes have been named to the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team in the first three iterations of the award (Winter 2024-25, Fall 2024-25, and Fall 2025-26). While Illinois Wesleyan has boasted seven nominees throughout the awards' history, Elder is the first Titan to be named to a final team. 

"This season, we are particularly proud to highlight the incredible community service work of Ashtin and the other members of the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Winter)," said Dana LeRoy, vice president of the organization. "These student-athletes are setting an example for future generations, showing that leadership in sport is equally matched by their dedication to service in their communities. Their commitment to lifting each other up through initiatives both inside and outside of their sport is truly inspiring."

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 successful photography business, Elder consistently uses his talents to give back to his church and community. He volunteers consistently at Eastview Christian Church in the nursery and contributes his photography and videography skills as a content creator on the church's social media platforms. 

Elder has completed mission trips through Eastview Christian Church to El Salvador and Kenya. Specifically after his trip to Kenya in 2023, Elder recognized a need for children in Kenya who wanted to play sports. Students were interested in participating in sports, but did not have the correct shoes. Since then, Ashtin and his family go out of their way to find new and used shoes to donate through Eastview's Kenya Sports Outreach Program. 

At halftime of the women's basketball game against Wheaton College Wednesday, Feb. 18, Elder will be recognized on this outstanding honor. Additionally, Elder will be hosting a shoe drive. Student-athletes and community members are encouraged to bring new or used shoes to donate. Elder will collect donations to send to Kenya to students in need through Eastview's Sports Outreach program.