Emily Orsini, Sports Editor–
Canyon Schneider, a senior offensive lineman for the Denison football team,, has been recognized as a member of the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
“It’s really one of the coolest honors I’ve ever heard of, let alone being awarded for,” said Schnieder.
The Allstate NACDA Good Works Team honors student-athletes who go above and beyond in volunteerism and civic engagement, recognizing them not just for athletic and academic success but also for their impact on their communities.
From a record-breaking pool of 195 nominees nationwide, only 22 athletes earned a spot on this year’s team. Schneider’s selection marks just the second time in school history a Big Red athlete has received the honor, with defensive back Luke Romick being the first in 2015.
“Being the second person ever from Denison to win this award is something that I don’t take lightly,” said Schneider. “To even be mentioned in the same sentence as Luke is an honor in itself.”
Schneider’s recognition for his abilities both on and off the field lead to special opportunities for Denison as both a university and a home to collegiate athletics.
“The families of our recruits are going to see this, and see that our program is more than just football,” said head coach Jack Hatem. “I’m really excited for [Schneider] and his family. This really is such a great accomplishment.”
“I think that this is a unique opportunity for Denison,” said Schneider. “I’ll be on national television at the Sugar Bowl wearing my Denison football jersey. I was on an excerpt of College Gameday and ESPN with my picture, name, and Denison University on it. I think this has the opportunity to spark a new wave of service at Denison.”
Winning the award speaks volumes about who Schneider is beyond the football field. As president of Mission34, he has been a driving force in opening conversations about mental health in athletics, showing the same dedication to his community as he does to his team.
“It’s not necessarily a secret, but I struggled a lot [mentally] my freshman year. The transition into college was really brutal for me. Outside of faith, family, and football, I was looking for a way to get back on track, and then I was introduced to Mission34,” said Schneider. “I can often recall the people on the executive board [of Mission34] of my freshman year really making a difference for me, and the idea of being in that position for [someone else] is really inspiring to me.”
That same resilience has carried over to the football field, where Schneider has grown into a captain and a cornerstone of the offensive line. Known for his consistency and work ethic, he sets the tone for his teammates both in preparation and in competition.
“He has this unbelievable desire to do everything right,” said Hatem. “I mean, everything from school to service to football. Off the field, he has this willingness to never bail on his character or his values, and is able to lead through that.”
That team-first mentality extends to how Schneider measures success.
“I take more pride in the other guy’s stats [than my own]. Seeing our quarterback, Tyler Green ‘28, throw for 300 yards, or our running back, Blayton Reid ‘27 rush for 200 yards. I mean, those are the things that you really hang your hat on and get fired up about.”
For Schneider, success isn’t measured by personal accolades but by the collective growth of the team. That same selfless mentality extends beyond the stat sheet, shaping the culture he hopes to leave behind.
“I hope that myself and the senior class leave the program better than we found it. You can definitely feel the vibe of the team changing [for the better]. I hope that continues on, so when the freshmen this year are seniors, they can look back and say, ‘Hey, they showed us the right way to do things,’ regardless of wins or losses,” said Schneider.
Schneider’s place on the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team is more than a personal honor, it’s a reflection of the values he’s carried throughout his career. His leadership and service shine just as brightly as his play on the field, setting an example for teammates and classmates alike.
As he represents Denison on a national stage, he brings with him the pride of a program and university that measure success far beyond wins and losses.