Jakob Gollon honored by NABC at Final Four

During halftime of the Michigan versus Syracuse semifinal game, Jakob Gollon, junior forward for the Mercer men’s basketball team was officially honored with a spot on the All State National Association of Basketball Coaches Good Works Team.
The award recognizes a unique group of men’s college basketball student-athletes who have made outstanding contributions in the areas of volunteerism and civic involvement including building homes for the elderly, leading basketball clinics, reading to students and working with children with hearing disabilities. 
“It’s a fantastic honor for him and our program to be recognized for the things we’re doing off the court to make a difference in the community,” Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman said.  “It’s a special thing for a young man like him, because he’s taken it to another level and epitomizes what the Good Works team is about.”
Gollon was recognized alongside Saint Joseph’s Langston Galloway, Belmont’s John Mann, Louisville’s Peyton Siva, and Duke’s Tyler Thornton.
Gollon has used the pedestal of collegiate athletics to change the lives of countless others.  Since arriving on campus in the fall of 2008, heís been a part of numerous community service initiatives, becoming a welcome face in the local school system and the community.  With young students, Gollon jumps at the opportunity to participate in reading marathons - and with older students, heís visited several classes to speak about the importance of test prepping.  In the community, Gollon is an active member of Rebuilding Macon, a foundation created to help rehabilitate the houses of low-income and elderly homeowners.  In similar efforts, heís taken part in Macon Impact, a yearly community service drive that focuses on rebuilding the Macon community while also organizing food and blood drives.  Heís also partnered with Pastor James Moore, who mentors a group of children by offering friendship and helping with education.
 Aside from those efforts, Gollonís exemplification of the ìGood Worksî team is evident in his personal mentorship of a young man at a local alternative school, who is striving to get back into the public school system.  Gollon has taken it upon himself to form a close relationship with the boy, visiting both him and his family on a weekly basis.  Gollon has gone to his school and home to mentor him, aiming to provide a shoulder to lean on while spending valuable time with the boy.
Along with the honor, Gollon was invited to attend all of the Final Four events in Atlanta, Ga.