IRVINE, Calif. - UC Irvine senior forward Mckenzie Piper has been nominated for the 2017 Allstate WBCA Good Works Team. This esteemed award honors an outstanding group of student-athletes who represent the sport's finest in the areas of community service and leadership among their peers.
The Allstate WBCA Good Works Team recognizes players at all levels of college basketball whose charitable involvement and altruistic acts stand out amongst all other student-athletes participating in the sport.
"The positive impact that student-athletes are making on college campuses and communities around the world can sometimes go unnoticed," said Thomas Clarkson, president of the west territory for Allstate Insurance Company and a member of the 2017 WBCA and NABC Good Works Teams selection panel. "Allstate is a proud supporter of NCAA college basketball and takes immense pride in working with the NABC and WBCA to recognize players who continue to make giving back a priority and inspire future generations of athletes."
Piper has been active both on campus and in the community, while also being a leader on a Division I women's basketball team and maintaining a grade-point average above a 3.5. She is a member of UCI's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, representing the 'Eaters at both the conference and national level. The Iowa City, Iowa, native has also led the UC Irvine Athletics community service efforts, volunteering at local hospitals, elementary schools and the Down Syndrome Foundation of Orange County. In addition, she has helped out at numerous charity events including the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Walk for Autism and the Big West Toy Drive.
On the court, Piper has played only three games this year due to an injury but has remained the Anteaters' vocal leader. She is on track to graduate with a bachelor's degree in Public Health Policy and a minor in Management. Following graduation, she aspires to attain a master's degree and become a physician's assistant.
Piper is one of 97 NCAA Division I women's basketball student-athletes nominated for the 2017 Allstate WBCA Good Works Team. Five finalists will be selected from that group and they will be unveiled in February.
