Northbrook, IL – Announced by Allstate and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), Oberlin College track and field senior, Jonah Barber (Tucson, AZ/University), has been named to the inaugural Allstate NACDA Good Works Spring Team
 
"I'm definitely super excited to be named for this award," Barber continues on the honor, "It's super exciting not only the recognition but recognized among a group of 20 student-athletes who have all done super impressive things."
 
“It all stemmed from my involvement in SITES, which teaches Spanish here in elementary schools, which is a great program here in Oberlin. And my internship at make way which is a literacy nonprofit as well as the green EDGE Fund which I do here at school which is environmental sustainability projects.”
 
Barber is a dedicated student-athlete who boats a 3.87 GPA, a school record-holder in the 4x800m relay (8:22.26), a three-time All-NCAC award winner, and two-time United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Men's Cross Country All-Academic honoree.
 
Off the track, Barber has made a lasting impact as a literacy intern with Make Way for Books, a Spanish teacher through Oberlin's Spanish In The Elementary Schools (SITES) Program and a sustainability leader on the Green EDGE Fund board. Whether mentoring as a writing tutor or amplifying student voices as a senior staff writer, Barber leads with purpose, creativity and heart.
 
"A really cool thing is that a number of members of our team, historically, have had relationships with SITES and it's something we talk about when we're recruiting; it's one of the cool things about Oberlin as a school, and Oberlin as a town." Head Track and Field Coach Ben Wach adds to Jonah's honor, "to have Jonah's involvement in SITES, and a great many other things, be recognized nationally, it feels really distinct to this place and to how invested Jonah has been in such a holistic experience."
 
"I'm really happy and excited for Jonah because, in his time at Oberlin, he has done a lot. He has done things that have really made a big difference and had a positive impact within Oberlin College and the Oberlin community." Head Cross Country Coach Izzy Alexander continues, "It's wonderful to see him being recognized for his work since, especially at practice, one of the things he's really good at is being present. You wouldn't know he is involved in so many different things, and that it is benefiting so many other people.
 
"He is incredible with children and loves trying to make things better for everyone, and this award really shows that."
 
Oberlin is just one of six schools that saw students recognized on both the Winter and Spring Good Works Team. Furthermore, Oberlin and Westminster were the only NCAA Division III schools with honorees on both teams. Captains for the Spring Team will be announced later this month.
 
The final team was voted on by the program's esteemed Selection Committee from an impressive pool of nearly 200 nominees nationwide. These student-athletes represent nine winter sports and five collegiate divisions, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of student- athletes in their communities.