Fifth-year center and team captain Christo Kelly of the Holy Cross football team was recently named one of 178 nominees for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. 

Established in 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team recognizes college football athletes for their unwavering commitment to community service and their "good works" off the field. This year's 178 nominees champion causes including mental health awareness, youth mentorship, hunger relief, domestic abuse prevention, and many more. In addition to being actively involved with a charitable organization or service group, each player must also maintain strong academic standing to be considered for a spot on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

Kelly will serve as the co-president of the Holy Cross Student-Athlete Advisory Committee this fall after serving as SAAC vice president last year. 

He is the co-founder of the Holy Cross chapter of Uplifting Athletes, which raises funds and awareness for the rare disease community. He collaborated with the national organization to develop and implement new initiatives and has helped lead the team's annual "Lift For Life" event. 

Kelly previously served as the co-chair and marketing strategist for the Holy Cross chapter of Cures for Kids. He led fundraising efforts and engaged in student outreach to promote awareness for pediatric cancer, helping coordinate a successful Color Run charity event. 

With the Holy Cross football team, Kelly is a leader in the team's community service initiatives, including the program's work with Team IMPACT. 

In 2023, Kelly started 10 games at center, anchoring an offensive line that ranked in the top 10 nationally in rushing offense (third, 264.2 yards per game), total offense (fourth, 466.6 yards per game) and scoring offense (sixth, 36.9 points per game). Academically, Kelly owns a 3.57 cumulative grade-point average and was an Academic All-District honoree in 2023. He is a four-time Patriot League Academic Roll selection.

The finalists for the award will be announced later in September, with the list of finalists containing 11 players from the NCAA FBS, 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and one honorary head coach.

All members are selected by a voting panel of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members, current and former head coaches and journalists who look for exceptional leadership on and off the football field.

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