INDIANAPOLIS – Colorado College’s James Lonergan was selected as one of 257 nominees for the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and Allstate Insurance Company Good Works Team. This distinguished award shines a spotlight on a select group of student-athletes who have shown dedication to service in their communities.
Lonergan, a senior men’s basketball player from Dallas, Texas, has been heavily involved both on the court and off the court during his collegiate career at CC. This is his second time being nominated for the Good Works Team, with his first coming during the 2013-14 season.
Currently, he is a Student Trustee for Colorado College, serving as the sole student representative on the college’s Board of Trustees. He is also involved with the CC President’s Council, Honor Council and is a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.
On the court, Lonergan has been a two-year captain of the men’s basketball team, while earning a spot on the SCAC All-Sportsmanship team twice. He has also earned the SCAC Character & Community award.
Lonergan has a wealth of volunteer experience, including working with organizations like Team Impact and Operation TBI Freedom
Team Impact matches chronically and terminally ill children with athletic teams to provide a diversion to their challenges. Through this group, Lonergan, along with Colorado College men’s basketball, “signed” ten-year-old Carter Gates to the team last year. Gates has since become more than just a teammate to him.
“Our most exhilarating experience was when Carter signed an honorary national letter of intent to play basketball for CC and he scored his first basketball in a college game,” Lonergan said. “Our story was shared nationally on NBC Nightly News and our relationship has grown considerably since that time.”
Operation TBI Freedom is a non-profit organization that helps veterans with traumatic brain injuries. As a volunteer, Lonergan organizes and participates in events such as paintball with veterans and hosting and honoring the veterans at CC basketball games.
His involvement has also grown in his time with the group by initiating various “nights out on the town” to increase visibility and raise money. He provides OTF with market consulting on matters like increasing veteran participation and engaging the students of Colorado College.
Lonergan was recently named a member of the OTF Advisory Council Board.
