From University of Chicago Athletics
University of Chicago football player Jackson Ross was chosen as one of 22 honorees on the 2020 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which was announced Wednesday morning.
Originally established in 1992, the Good Works Team is co-sponsored by Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). Its purpose is to highlight collegiate student-athletes for their off-the-field contributions to their campuses and communities. The final 22-man roster includes 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision; 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics; and one honorary head coach.
As a three-year starter for the Maroons, Ross has led the squad in tackles each season, totaling 279 for his career (9.6 per game). Anchoring the line at his defensive tackle position, the incoming senior is a three-time All-Midwest Conference selection. Ross was named Third Team All-Region by D3football.com in 2018 and 2019, while also garnering D3football.com Preseason All-America accolades in 2020. UChicago's defense has limited opponents to 15.1 points per game and 3.1 yards per rush the past three seasons. His standout work in the classroom has been recognized by the College Sports Information Directors of America (Second Team Academic All-American); the University Athletic Association (Presidents Council Scholar-Athlete); and the Midwest Conference (Academic All-Conference).
Ross has remained active in numerous volunteer roles. The Oklahoma native was a two-year Teen Executive Board Member and fund raiser of the Oklahoma Cleats for Kids Foundation, which provides sports shoes and safe equipment for kids in need. He was the founder and president of the Hot Chocolate for Charity Foundation, which sold more than 1,000 cups of hot chocolate around the community to help purchase jackets and gloves for a local public school in the Oklahoma City area.
On campus, Ross was an executive board member of UChicago's Order of the "C" varsity lettermen's group. He ran clothing drives for both the OOC and Phi Gamma Delta that donated to local organizations. He currently serves as president of the Sports Business Team, assisting student-athletes with their search for internship opportunities in finance while also providing a mentoring program for new members. Ross is the speaker series chair for Scholars of Finance that bring speakers on campus for related symposiums.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ross spent time this spring delivering meals to handicapped and low-income individuals through the Meals on Wheels program in Oklahoma City. His biggest fundraiser during the pandemic was walking a marathon in honor of the OKC Bombing Memorial, Cleats for Kids, and Fields and Futures. His nine-hour walk helped raise money for the three organizations, which in turn was replicated by nearly 20 other pairs of college students.
UChicago's previous Good Works Team honoree was cornerback Vincent Beltrano in 2015.