Pirate tackle joins Wake's MacPherson, Cincy's
Leonard on prestigious team
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BRIAN RIMPF
Photo: ECU SID |
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GREENVILLE — East Carolina's Brian Rimpf, a junior offensive tackle,
has been named to the 2002 American Football Coaches Association Good
Works Team, the organization announced Wednesday.
A pair of quarterbacks with Conference USA or Carolinas ties,
Cincinnati's John Leonard and Wake Forest's James MacPherson, also were
selected for the team.
The AFCA Good Works Team honors players who show outstanding
contributions in the area of volunteer work and civic involvement. The
goal of the program is to provide recognition for those involved in the
game who are good citizens and future leaders in their communities.
A native of Raleigh and a product of Leesville Road High School,
Rimpf is one of only 11 players in NCAA Division I-A named to the
prestigious team. Rimpf is the son of Cindy and Anton Rimpf.
Rimpf has taken his own initiative to dedicate an average of nine
hours per week throughout the academic year to community service. A good
portion of his volunteer time is spent with the Young Life program, a
mission community committed to reaching adolescent youth.
He is also involved with Sportsworks Ministries, is a frequent
speaker to church youth groups and Boys and Girls Clubs, and has
volunteered time to a local juvenile detention center and the Cerebral
Palsey Telethon.
"With all the time demands on today's student-athlete, it really
speaks to the dedication these young men have to their communities that
they spend their free time helping so many outstanding organizations and
causes," AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff said. "They don't do
community service for recognition, but the AFCA is proud to honor them
with a position on our Good Works Team."
While athletic ability is not a criteria for the honor, Rimpf has
also been recognized for his performance on the field of play. He was a
first-team All-Conference USA selection last season while starting every
game at left tackle for the Pirates, whose rushing offense ranked among
the nation's top 25.
He is a third-team Preseason All-American (Football News) and is on
the official watch lists for the 2002 Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi
Award.
After the 2001 season, Rimpf was the recipient of East Carolina's E.E.
Rawl Memorial Award for character, scholarship, and athletic
achievement.
Thumbnail from an AFCA News Release:
Brian Rimpf, OL, Junior, East Carolina: He decided to donate
nine hours of his time during the week to community service ... spends a
good part of his time working with the Young Life program, a mission
community committed to reaching adolescent youth ... also donates his
time working Sportsworks Ministries ... is a frequent speaker to church
youth groups and Boys & Girls Clubs ... also volunteers his time to a
local juvenile detention center and the Cerebral Palsy Telethon.
Text of the AFCA's Complete Release Announcing Its Good Works
Team:
Ten schools earned their first-ever selections to the 2002 American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team.
New Mexico State, Nevada-Las Vegas, Washington, Cornell (N.Y.), Massachusetts, St. Peter’s, Saginaw Valley State, Amherst, Thomas More and Bethel (Kan.) had student-athletes named to the AFCA Good Works Team for the first time in the award’s 11-year history. Nebraska earned a team-high eighth selection, while St. Thomas earned its record fifth-straight selection.
For the second time since its creation, the Good Works Team has a sibling connection. Eli Manning joins his brother Peyton, a 1997 selection. The Mannings join Matt and Jon Stinchcomb as the only two brother combinations to be selected to the AFCA Good Works Team.
The two 11-man teams, a Division I-A team and a combined team from Divisions I-AA, II, III and the NAIA, honor players for their dedication and commitment to community service. From 1992-1996, the Good Works Team was selected by the College Football Association. When the CFA disbanded in 1997, the AFCA began selecting the teams.
Criteria for Selection to the Team:
Nominations were submitted to the AFCA by the college sports information departments. Nominees have to be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or involved in other community service activities. Candidates have to display sincere concern and reliability, while also having made a favorable impression on the organizations with which they are involved. Athletic ability is not a criteria.
