DORCHESTER, Mass. – Abigail Schell (Boston, Mass.), a senior on the UMass Boston Women's Track & Field team, has been nominated for the Allstate NACDA 2025-26 Spring Good Works Team. The award will be presented to 20 student-athletes whose service has strengthened their campuses and communities. Schell is one of 92 women's spring sport student-athletes nominated for this prestigious honor, joined by 45 male student-athletes also nominated this season.
The Allstate NACDA Good Works Team recognizes student-athletes who demonstrate levels of volunteerism and civic engagement that are above and beyond their success in the classroom and in competition. The goal of the program is to provide recognition for these future community leaders, their teams, academic institutions, and the communities they support. Honorees include men and women from all NCAA divisions, with student-athletes recognized each season across fall, winter, and spring sports.
Schell's nomination is a reflection of an extraordinary commitment to community service, academic excellence, and leadership — qualities that define her as one of the finest examples of what it means to be a UMass Boston student-athlete.
Community Engagement
During the 2025–26 academic year, Schell has completed 46 hours of community service across a diverse range of organizations, with additional opportunities already scheduled for the remainder of the spring semester. Her efforts span youth development, health and wellness, food insecurity, and access to healthcare, and include work with the Boston Running Collaborative, Boston Athletic Association, Special Olympics, Shatterproof, the UMass Boston U-Access Food Pantry, Boston Public Schools, the Reggie Lewis Community Center, the Salvation Army, TeamSmile, and the Ohrenberger Community Center, among others.
At the heart of Schell's service is a genuine passion for supporting children and youth within her own community. Whether helping address food insecurity on campus, empowering athletes of all abilities through Special Olympics, or serving as a positive role model for young people through Boston Public Schools and local community centers, she approaches every opportunity with intention and purpose. Her commitment is ongoing — she has already secured additional volunteer opportunities for the remainder of the spring semester, making clear that her dedication extends well beyond any single requirement.
What further distinguishes Schell is her leadership within the athletics department. She actively encourages teammates and peers to get involved, helping cultivate a broader culture of service within her team and across the department — amplifying her impact well beyond her own individual contributions.
Academic Excellence
Schell's commitment to excellence extends equally into the classroom. She is a four-time Dean's List honoree and a multiple-time recipient of the Little East Conference Academic Honor Roll, and has earned All-Academic Team honors — a testament to her ability to balance the demanding responsibilities of academics and athletics while performing at a high level in both. These accolades reflect her discipline, time management, and dedication to her personal and professional development throughout her collegiate career.
Abigail Schell embodies the values of service, leadership, and academic achievement that the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team was created to celebrate. She represents the very best of UMass Boston Athletics and the broader student-athlete community.
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