SEWARD, Neb. – Following his junior season as a member of the Concordia University, Nebraska Football program, Adam Van Cleave has been named a nominee for the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, as announced by the American Football Coaches Association on July 15. Van Cleave is one of 197 nominees nationally across all divisions of collegiate football. The Good Works Team nominees are recognized for their commitment to community service and leadership beyond the gridiron. Nominees must also be significant on-field contributors for their respective teams and excel academically.
Below is a rundown of the service projects and missions that Van Cleave has been active in during his time as a Concordia student-athlete. The Columbus, Neb., native enjoyed a breakthrough 2024 season as the wide receiver totaled 57 receptions for 652 yards and six touchdowns. His junior year honors included recognition as Second Team All-GPAC, an Omaha World-Herald All-Midlands Team selection, Academic All-District (College Sports Communicators) and NAIA Scholar-Athlete.
Organized service missions:
- Helped at Door of Faith Orphanage in the summers of ‘22, ‘23 and ‘24. Door of Faith Orphanage is located in La Misión, Mexico, which is just south of Tijuana. This trip was done through the college group of St. John’s Church of Columbus, Nebraska.
- Traveled to White Earth Indian reservation in Minnesota in the summers of ‘19, ‘20 and ‘21. Here he taught Vacation Bible school and helped struggling churches with projects that needed more intensive physical labor. This trip was through the high school youth group of St. John’s Church in Columbus, Nebraska.
- Served Oklahoma mission trip during spring break of ‘24. Replaced and re-shingled roofs for two houses that were damaged. This trip was done with Orphan Grain Train and the Concordia Football team.
- Participated in FCA weekend of Champions in the spring of ‘23. This was a retreat in Grand Island, Nebraska, where Adam served as a college mentor/volunteer for the camp. He got to lead a group of high school athletes through Bible studies and connected with them through sports and shared experiences. This was done through the Navigators outreach group through the University of Nebraska (the same group where he got to evangelize and talk to random students about Jesus around campus).
Other service:
- Navigators outreach through the University of Nebraska (same group mentioned before). Traveled to surrounding colleges like Doane, Midland and Nebraska Wesleyan and talked to students about their relationship with God and if they’d be interested in volunteering/starting a group at their own college.
- Volunteered with Revolution, a high school volunteer group centered around providing support and awareness for sexual assault and teen dating violence victims. Most of this was done through outreach during county fairs and parades.
Academic Honors
- 2024 Academic All-District (College Sports Communicators)
- 2024 NAIA Scholar-Athlete