Wayne State University junior baseball player Gabe Zeldes was selected as one of ten male honorees for the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team, according to a May 5 announcement. The team recognizes student-athletes across collegiate spring sports for achievements in community service, athletics, and academics.
This recognition highlights the growing emphasis on leadership and service among college athletes. The Allstate NACDA Good Works Team was expanded last year to include student-athletes from all collegiate sports and divisions.
Zeldes has played in 91 career games for Wayne State Warriors Men’s Baseball, achieving season-highs this year in runs, hits, doubles, and home runs. Off the field, he is an Exercise and Sport Science major with minors in Business Administration and Public Health. He earned Athletic Director’s Honor Roll status his first four semesters—including a perfect term GPA—and will receive both the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award this summer and GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team honors again this spring.
In addition to his academic success, Zeldes serves as vice president of Wayne State’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and is involved with Delta Epsilon Mu fraternity. He represents GLIAC at the national SAAC level and has won awards such as the Undergraduate Research and Creative Projects Award. Zeldes has donated over 250 hours through initiatives like hospital toy drives, food banks, book donations, cancer research fundraisers, youth camps with Make-A-Wish Foundation involvement, among others.
The Wayne State Warriors Men’s Baseball team plays its home games in Detroit as part of NCAA Division II’s Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), where they are known as “the Warriors” with ‘W the Warrior’ as their mascot according to the official website.
Chris DeBiase of Allstate said: “Allstate has long believed in the power of college athletics to shape leaders. We are proud to recognize these spring honorees who are demonstrating exceptional leadership and impact through community service… Service is leadership and we want to reward and empower the young people who prove it every day.” Holly Rowe of ESPN added: “Programs like the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team make sure service and leadership are recognized alongside athletic excellence… I’m proud to help highlight student-athletes who rise to meet the needs of their communities.” Pat Manak from NACDA said: “The Allstate NACDA Good Works Team initiative continues to bring out the best in college athletics… it is a privilege to tell their stories.” Shelby Bavin—named team captain—said: “Competing for [UVA] is a privilege… Service is at the heart of Virginia Rowing… I hope our stories inspire others to step into their communities to serve.”
