Finally, a list worth . . . listing

These college football lists invite the snark

And let's face it, it is out of hand. Someone on Twitter wrote to me that they should be called "guys who might be good or a little above average with a small chance for greatness" lists.

That about covers it. Take them for what they're worth, which isn't a whole lot. The only recognition that matters is what happens during the season. For Hawkeyes, awards follow Big Ten championship (or thereabouts) seasons. So, we'll see.

This list, however, I like.

It's the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. It's a watch list for players who've done stuff off the field.

Iowa punter Eric Guthrie, a fifth-year senior walk-on, is on this list.

Here are the details (from an e-mail I received this morning:

Iowa punter Eric Guthrie was just announced as a nominee for the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, the most prestigious off-the-field honor in college football. As a nominee, Guthrie boasts an impressive resume of community service accomplishments:

-- Signed autographs and helped out at the Dance Marathon and the Solstice Stride 5K

-- Worked with the Salvation Army during the 2008 flooding in Iowa City and eastern Iowa by driving around flooded areas and handing out supplies to local residents

-- Donates toys and visits patients at the Children's Hospital

More info on the award:

More often than not, college football players are remembered for the great things they do on the playing field and are rarely distinguished for their achievements away from the game. As protectors of the integrity of the sport, Allstate and the AFCA are passionate about sharing the community service contributions of these young men that may otherwise go unrecognized through the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®.

From the 132 nominees, the most ever in the 20-year history of the award, two 11-player Good Works Teams® will be selected and announced in late September – one for the Football Bowl Subdivision (Div. I-A) and the other for the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and NAIA. In its fourth year as sponsor, Allstate has assembled a prominent selection panel including former Good Works Team® members and well-respected college football media members. Hall of Fame coach and ESPN personality Lou Holtz returns as the program's primary ambassador.

Past members of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® include Super Bowl champion quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer and 2011 NFL first-round draft pick Christian Ponder.

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Here's a link for more on the award.

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Later Tuesday afternoon, UI sports info put out a release, a little more elaboration on Guthrie's deeds:

GUTHRIE NOMINATED FOR 2011 ALLSTATE AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM

IOWA CITY, Iowa - - University of Iowa punter Eric Guthrie was named one of 56 nominees from Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs for the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team today by Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (ACFA). The program, entering its 20th year, honors college football players who stand out off the field by providing selfless contributions to volunteerism and community service.

Guthrie's “good works” were evident during the 2008 flood relief efforts. The senior from Nevada, Iowa helped with sandbagging efforts in Coralville, worked with the Salvation Army to hand out supplies to local residents, and participated in an event organized by former Hawkeye Chad Greenway that cleaned up Iowa City's City Park (little league baseball diamonds). He also participated in Team Leadership Retreats to Cedar Rapids in the springs of 2009 and 2010. The 2009 retreat helped tear down and strip a flooded house while 2010 focused on scrapping and painting houses.

Guthrie has been active in multiple community service events, as he helped support the Solstice Stride 5k Run/Walk by signing autographs and handing out water. He also signed autographs and entertained kids at Dance Marathon. Guthrie raised awareness and support for the Alzheimer's Association by serving pancakes at the Legacy Retirement Home. He supported research to find a cure for Rett syndrome, a nervous system disorder, by signing autographs at a 5k run/walk.

In addition, Guthrie has donated blood to the DeGowin Blood Center twice during spring blood drives put on by the University of Iowa football team and volunteered with the Salvation Army by assisting in the Soup Kitchen. He participated in the Hawkeye Reader Program, which promotes the importance of reading and literature to elementary students. Guthrie has also been a regular visitor to the University of Iowa Children's Hospital.

Guthrie is one of two players who represent the football team on Iowa's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (ISAAC). He continued his volunteer efforts this spring by participating in the Day of Caring and the annual Camp Courageous visit to Kinnick Stadium hosted by Iowa's seniors.