NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Senior running back Aaron Ellingson is the latest Royal to be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®. The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced Tuesday morning that he was one of the 22 players selected from the record 178 nominees and was one of 11 chosen from the divisions of NCAA FCS, DII, DIII and NAIA.
 
Ellingson is Bethel's 18th overall selection as the Royals extend their incredible streak to 12 consecutive years of a student-athlete being recognized, tying with St. Thomas for the longest streak in the awards 32 years of activation. BU now ranks in a tie for second in all-time honorees with Kentucky and is only behind Georgia (24).
 
The St. Louis Park, Minn. native has put in countless hours of community service dating back to his time at St. Louis Park High School. While at Bethel he has played a big role in Bethel University's BUILD program as a lead mentor providing one-on-one support to students with intellectual disabilities. He also was a teaching assistant at Elizabeth Hall Elementary School in North Minneapolis visiting weekly to help 20 students reach grade-level expectations in math and reading. Other community service includes being a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Huddle Leader in high school, volunteering with Basilica YES (Youth Engaged in Service), Feed My Starving Children and camp coach for youth football and Little League baseball.
 
On the field, the 2023 All-Region and First Team All-Conference running back rushed for 934 yards which was the most by a Bethel running back since 2018. He led the MIAC with a 5.63 yard per carry mark and was second with eight touchdowns. For his career, he has 205 rushes for 1,154 yards. On the receiving side, Ellingson has 121 career catches for 1,278 yards.
 
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff off the field. The AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. Allstate worked to present the award starting with the 2008 season.
 
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) leads all conferences with 89 selections to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team since it began in 1992. The SEC is followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference with 55 selections and the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 43 selections. Georgia is in first place with 24 honorees to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The Bulldogs are followed by Kentucky and Bethel (Minn.) with 18 honorees.
 
The full roster of the 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and their stories of community service can be found at ESPN.com/Allstate.