South Carolina’s Compassion Champions: Shane Beamer and Oscar Adaway III Earn Nomination to AFCA Good Works Team for Community Leadership

University of South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer and senior running back Oscar Adaway III have been selected as nominees for the prestigious 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, demonstrating their outstanding dedication to community service and leadership beyond the field. Their nominations, part of a record-breaking group of 197 candidates, highlight their impactful work across Columbia and beyond .

In the storied 34‑year history of the AFCA Good Works Team, this year’s 197 nominees mark the highest number ever, reflecting a growing culture of service and character across college football .Each honoree is recognized for their devotion to charitable initiatives, mentorship, and advocacy—values that resonate deeply with the missions of both the University of South Carolina football program and the broader SEC community.

Shane Beamer: Leading by Example, On and Off the Field

Entering his fifth season at the helm of the Gamecocks, Shane Beamer has consistently led not only in wins and strategy but also in community impact. His leadership extends far beyond Williams‑Brice Stadium through the Beamer Family Foundation, which he co-founded with his wife, Emily, in 2021 .

The foundation is dedicated to strengthening underserved communities in Richland County through educational opportunities, health initiatives, and family support services. Motivated by a philosophy that true leadership encompasses service, Beamer has spearheaded numerous foundation projects—backpack drives, health screenings, and literacy programs—that benefit thousands of local children and families each year.

As WIS News 10 reported, “Beamer and his wife, Emily, founded the Beamer Family Foundation… aimed at empowering children and families, the nonprofit prioritizes educational, health, and community support initiatives” . This hands‑on involvement affirms Beamer’s belief that community engagement is inseparable from the character he cultivates within his team.

Oscar Adaway III: A Model of Leadership and Service

Running back Oscar Adaway III, now in his seventh collegiate season and second year with South Carolina, has also made a profound impression off the field. Originally from North Little Rock, Arkansas, Adaway has consistently taken leadership roles in service-based programs since his arrival in Columbia .

He serves as chair of the 2025 SEC Football Leadership Council, a role that reflects his peers’ respect and trust . Adaway is actively involved in initiatives such as the SEC Leadership Conference Service Project, Shop with the Jocks, Cocky’s All Sports Camp, MLK Day of Service, and the Beamer Foundation Backpack Drive .

South Carolina Athletics emphasizes his consistent commitment, noting that since 2024, Adaway “has been part of the SEC Leadership Conference Service Project, Shop with the Jocks, Cocky’s All Sports Camp, MLK Day of Service and the Beamer Foundation Backpack Drive” and that he holds the title of SEC Football Leadership Council Chair .

A Tradition of Recognition: The AFCA Good Works Team

Established in 1992 by the College Football Association and overseen by the AFCA since 1997, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team honors coaches and players who go the extra mile in service and leadership . The partnership with the Wuerffel Foundation and Allstate, beginning in 2008, added depth by aligning it with the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, which honors the top community leader in FBS football .

A selection panel—comprising former Good Works Team members, coaches, and journalists—will announce the final roster of 23 players and one honorary coach in September . These include 11 FBS players, 11 from FCS/Divisions II & III/NAIA, and one coach.

Why Their Work Matters

The significance of Beamer and Adaway’s work lies not just in isolated acts of kindness but in their sustained, scalable impact. The Beamer Family Foundation targets systemic inequities in education and health, while Adaway’s leadership underscores the power of student-athletes in community engagement. Their efforts produce immediate benefits for children and families and also inspire broader participation from teammates, fans, and donors.

Sam Acho, a former NFL linebacker and 2010 Good Works Team member, expressed admiration for the nominees: “Their commitment to service creates lasting change and inspires the next generation.” Acho’s words, cited in both Gamecocks Online and On3, illustrate the aspirational nature of this recognition .

Danny Wuerffel, for whom the Wuerffel Trophy is named, emphasized the ripple effect that comes from service: “Their leadership in the community is just as worthy of recognition as their performance on the field” .

Record-Breaking Nominees: A Reflection of Growing Impact

This year’s nomination pool of 197 reflects a significant moment for college football philanthropy—a surge in community involvement across all levels of the sport .Nominees have addressed mental health, homelessness, medical access, and more. While Beamer and Adaway are part of the SEC’s contingent (the conference has contributed 89 past selections), the diversity of this year’s efforts demonstrates the sport’s expanding embrace of service.

What Comes Next

The final selections, due in September 2025, will spotlight those whose work goes above and beyond. Whether South Carolina gets further recognition—potentially another Wuerffel Trophy nominee—depends on the national voting panel.

Beyond individual honors, Beamer and Adaway’s influence transcends awards. Their work establishes benchmarks within Charlotte and across the SEC for how collegiate programs can integrate service with athletic development and community partnership.

Shane Beamer and Oscar Adaway III are defining what it means to be a Gamecock beyond football. Through the Beamer Family Foundation’s efforts and Adaway’s leadership in service initiatives, they embody the core tenets of the AFCA Good Works Team: leadership, integrity, sacrifice, and community impact.

Their nominations join a larger narrative: that college football, at its best, fosters tomorrow’s leaders both on the scoreboard and in the heart of our neighborhoods. As the final team is selected in September, Beamer and Adaway stand not only as nominees but as exemplars for how sport and service can intersect to uplift an entire community.

Whether they ultimately earn a spot among the 23 selected or even the Wuerffel Trophy, their contributions are already profound. Their work ensures that the legacy of South Carolina football extends far beyond wins and losses—it lives in the hearts and futures of the communities they serve.