Kotzur’s Dedication to Service Garners National Attention by Chad Peters (B.A. ’06)
One glance through the Heartland Conference’s men’s basketball record book provides a clue of how good Kevin Kotzur is on the basketball court. But a recent national honor for volunteering and service reflects how good he is away from the court as well. Kotzur (B.A. ’12), who is working on his master’s degree in Communication Studies, has been named to the inaugural National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Allstate Good Works Team, a prestigious honor that speaks directly to St. Mary’s University’s mission of civic engagement and community service. The honor, awarded nationally to just 10 college basketball players from across all divisions, recognizes student-athletes’ contributions in the areas of volunteerism and civic involvement. Kotzur, a native of La Vernia, was the lone representative from NCAA Division II to make the team. “It’s a great honor, not just for the basketball team but for the entire University,” said Kotzur, who in February became the Heartland Conference’s all-time leading scorer with 1,904 career points and already owned the league’s alltime rebounding mark at 967. “It reflects the community outreach we do here. The school’s value of community service here touches everybody in athletics. We really try to work just as hard off the court as we do on the court.” Among Kotzur’s community-service initiatives were visiting with ailing children at University Hospital and wrapping presents for families in need through the University’s Angel Tree program. St. Mary’s men’s basketball coach Jim Zeleznak could not be happier for his star pupil.
“For one of our student-athletes to be recognized in this fashion nationally speaks to what we’re trying to do here at the University,” Zeleznak said. Kotzur will travel to Atlanta in April as part of the Good Works Team, where the entire team will be introduced during the Final Four. The men’s team, as well as the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s Good Works Team, will join together for a service project while they are in Atlanta. “The men and women being recognized with this award have demonstrated a commitment to excellence on and off the court,” said Pam Hollander, senior director of marketing for Allstate Insurance Co. and a member of the 2013 NABC and WBCA Good Works Team selection panels. As a three-time All-Region selection, Kotzur is no stranger to racking up awards. But this one seems a bit different. “This honor has me speechless,” he said. “I’m truly blessed.” ■
Kotzur (left) and teammate Moses Sundufu wrap presents through the St. Mary’s Angel Tree program for families in need.
Spring 2013
G OL D & B LU E
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