IU football tight end James Bomba is the program’s 2024 nominee for the prestigious annual Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
A native of Bloomington, Bomba received a scholarship prior to the 2022 season. He became the third generation of his family to earn a football scholarship to Indiana. His father, Matt Bomba (1990-92), was a walk-on that earned a scholarship, while both of his grandfathers, Brad Bomba (1954-56) and Bob Van Pelt (1964-66), were on scholarship at IU.
Bomba appeared in 11 games with seven starts in 2023. For his career he has played in 20 games and has produced 11 catches for 75 yards and a score.
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team honors community service leaders.
On Tuesday, Bomba, along with fellow Bloomington native, friend, and IU basketball player Anthony Leal, announced a back-to-school giving blitz for the Bloomington Boys and Girls Club.
Of his many volunteer opportunities, Bomba has spent his time on a volunteer mission trip to the Dominican Republic with Indiana football and Score International. He is also active with Habitat for Humanity, Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington, Hoosier Ticket Project and the program’s Holiday Toy Drive. He has also served as a volunteer coach for football and men’s basketball at Bloomington South High School.
He has also teamed up with GO Bloomington to help the organization promote better mobility options and Stop the Violence Indianapolis, Inc., which acts as a catalyst for social change – empowering people to take action with the greater Indianapolis area to ensure safety, justice, accountability and healing for people whose lives are affected by violence and poverty.
By being named to the Good Works Team, Bomba is a candidate for the Wuerffel Trophy.
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, college football’s premier award for community service, is presented annually to the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership and performance on and off the field. Named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Danny Wuerffel, the award honors the former NFL quarterback’s commitment to inspiring greater service and unity in the world.
“Our partnership with Allstate and the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team builds upon the purposeful impact of these awards,” said Wuerffel. “We want to inspire college athletes to be community-minded, live for others, and sacrifice their own interests for the benefit of other people.”
The 2024 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy recipient will be selected by a national voting committee and announced on The Home Depot/ESPN College Football Awards Show in December. Only FBS players elected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team are eligible for the honor, which replaces the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain.
Established in 2005, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the first Wuerffel Trophy, awarded to Rudy Niswanger of LSU, followed by eighteen recipients. Georgia’s Ladd McConkey was most recently honored with the award and named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team in 2023. Throughout this season, the Wuerffel Foundation will reflect on these first nineteen recipients and honor the history of college football’s premier award for community service.
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
Established in 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team recognizes college football athletes for their unwavering commitment to community service and their “good works” off the field. This year’s 178 nominees champion causes including mental health awareness, youth mentorship, hunger relief, domestic abuse prevention, and many more. In addition to being actively involved with a charitable organization or service group, each player must also maintain strong academic standing to be considered for a spot on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
“You’ll never regret making someone else’s life better,” said Tim Tebow, two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, 2008 Wuerffel Trophy recipient, and 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team member. “Year after year, I’m inspired by these incredible nominees who go above and beyond to help others.”
The final roster of 23 award recipients announced later in September will bring together:
- 11 players from the NCAA FBS
- 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
- 1 honorary head coach
For complete coverage of IU football, GO HERE.
The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”
- Find us on Facebook: thedailyhoosier
- You can follow us on Twitter: @daily_hoosier
- Seven ways to support completely free IU coverage at no cost to you.
