.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Cook Stands Out In The Community
10/9/2007 | Football
By Elizabeth Zaremba
Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant
Winning and being accomplished on the field are the hopes of every athlete, but for some, the work they do off the field and the lives they touch are bigger than any game they will play. The Rebels' Jason Cook is the perfect example of the latter.
Cook was recently selected to the AFCA Good Works Team for his contributions to the Oxford community. Awarding student athletes since 1997, AFCA selects two 11-man teams from all levels of NCAA football. A member of the Athletics Media Relations staff helped Cook in the selection process.
"Langston Rogers (Senior Asscoiate AD for Athletics Media Relations) came to me and told me 'I'm going to put you up for this award, so I need you to fill out all of the community service that you've done,'" Cook said. "I feel very fortunate to be named to it."
The senior from Suwanee, Ga., has worked with several projects, including "Toys for Tots" and recently the "We CAN Drive," sponsored by the SEC. He also coordinates the Fellowship of Christian Athletes program for Ole Miss student-athletes, visits local senior citizens at extended care centers in Oxford and visits patients at North Mississippi Regional Center. Of all of the activities he has worked with, Cook said it is the "National Student Athlete Day" that he enjoys the most.
"We get a chance to basically be big kids for a day, and hang out with the kids and hopefully give them a positive look at what a role model is," Cook said, "Being in school is more than just being an athlete. It's about being a good student as well."
Cook is the sixth Rebel to be named to the Good Works Team, and he joins former Rebels Walker Jones, Deuce McAllister, Romaro Miller, Eli Manning and Jamil Northcutt, who Cook had the honor of meeting.
"All those guys are high character guys and really good guys, so it's a really neat award to be associated with," Cook said.
Rebel head coach Ed Orgeron talked about Cook's unending service to the program and the community.
"Jason is most deserving of this national recognition," said Ole Miss head coach Ed Orgeron. "His dedication to our team and his tireless efforts to make a difference in the Ole Miss and Oxford community is a testament to his character and his dedication to others."
Seeing action in 11 of the Rebels' 12 games in 2006, Cook played a vital role in helping running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis become the first 1,000 yard rusher since Deuce McAllister. On top of being a successful athlete, the English major was also selected to the U.M.A.A. Honor Roll in the spring of 2006. Cook feels that student athletes should expect to be involved in all of these areas while in college.
"In season it's so hard to get stuff done, but you find time," Cook said. "For something like that, to have a chance to work with people, you find time to do it."
Aside from the fun he has interacting with the Oxford community, Cook hopes that his presence sends a good message to the children he works with.
"It's important for young people to see that not everyone is doing bad stuff, and that there is some good for them to see in us, especially looking up to us because we're athletes."
At 6 feet and 240 pounds, Cook may seem like an intimidating individual, but it is his heart and concern for children that makes this Rebel stand out.
"Hopefully if there is a kid going down the wrong path, by hanging out with us one time or being influenced by us, we can help them turn around."
This outlook on helping the community is why Cook has not only received this honor, but also why he is one of the elite athletes at Ole Miss.
