Junior captain Nicholas LaGuerre was one of 10 collegiate men’s basketball players to be selected for 2014 NABC Allstate Good Works Team, as announced by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the Allstate Insurance Company on Tuesday.
Scott Devine, St. Mary’s director of athletics & recreation, stated, “We are so proud of Nick to receive this national level recognition. To be picked as one of 10 basketball players in the country throughout all three divisions of the NCAA and the NAIA, speaks directly to what Nick has brought to our College as a student, as a basketball player, and as a person who gives back to the local community.”
“Coach Harney helps to coordinate several community related initiatives each year, and his players are always eager to participate. Nick, as a leader, is representative of what the team does as a whole,” added Devine. “As a small, public liberal arts college, we greatly value not only the D-III student-athlete experience we strive to provide here, but also the efforts outside of the classroom that our student-athletes participate in to help make the local community a better place. The NABC Allstate Good Works Team is such a high honor. We could not be happier for Nick to be named to this team.”
In its second year, this preeminent community service honor recognizes college basketball players who have made a commitment to improving their communities and the lives of others.
The Allstate NABC Good Works Team® is comprised of 10 student-athletes; five from the NCAA® Division I and five from NCAA Divisions II, III and the NAIA. LaGuerre was part of 117 NABC nominees that were submitted by head coaches and sports information directors across the nation on behalf of their colleges and universities. The final team roster was chosen by prestigious voting panels comprised of former coaches, student-athletes, and media members.
“Nick is a perfect example of what St. Mary’s College is all about. A great place full of outstanding people helping other people,” exclaimed ninth-year head coach Chris Harney.
The 6-3 point guard has already been named among college basketball’s elite but LaGuerre has more than basketball skills to set him apart. He is actively involved in the local elementary schools here in St. Mary’s County and has also helped out over the holidays volunteering to deliver food to the needy in the local community.
LaGuerre works closely with the FLOW Mentoring program in the St. Mary’s County Public Schools, which serves to foster positive mentoring relationships between students and members of the community and to provide supported, safe, and inspiring environments in which these matches can cultivate the potential of each youth. He plans to give a talk to the FLOW Mentoring group regarding being a successful student-athlete with Type I diabetes (juvenile diabetes).
LaGuerre’s merits on the hardwood are just as outstanding as his volunteerism off the court. A preseason All-American and NABC All-Middle Atlantic District selection, he currently leads the Seahawks (15-6, 9-4 CAC) in scoring (15.0 PPG) and steals (1.9 SPG).
As a member of the Allstate NABC Good Works Team®, LaGuerre will now be invited by Allstate, an official corporate partner of the NCAA, to the 2014 NABC Convention and 2014 NCAA Men’s Final Four® in North Texas on April 3-7, where they will participate in a community service project. Allstate is also an official corporate partner of the NABC.