UPLAND, Ind. -- A total of 26 members of the University of St. Francis football program have claimed Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) All-Academic status for 2024, the league office announced on Friday.

To earn the league distinction, a member of the gridiron program must have maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 and be no less than a sophomore academically. 

A total of 365 student-athletes across 13 conference-member schools were recognized in all, including 16 players that boasted perfect 4.00 grade point averages.  Two of those were members of USF's football squad in quarterback Sam Tumilty and defensive back Rob Baranowski.

Gaining MSFA All-Academic honors for the fourth year in a row were graduate students Sam Tumilty and defensive back Scott Tumilty.  Sam Tumilty earned his Bachelor's degree in Biology and is now pursuing a Master's in Health Administration, while Scott Tumilty earned his Bachelor's degree in Accounting as well as a Master's in Business Administration.  He is currently working on a Master's in Special Education.

Claiming the league recognition for the third time were:
Jason Hartsfield: Senior receiver majoring in Values-Based Management
Jaime Sepulveda: Senior receiver and Criminal & Social Justice major
James Zilinger: A running back in his senior year pursuing a degree in Biology

Earning the league honor for the second time were:
Marcello Bernardi: Junior Digital Audio Recording Arts major and defensive lineman
Nick Franciskovich: Junior defensive back majoring in History
Rylan Heersink: Senior Criminal & Social Justice major and offensive lineman
Ryan Little: Junior receiver and Information Technology major
Nick Mabutas: Special Education major in his junior season as a defensive back
Anthony Niecikowski: Senior offensive lineman pursuing a degree in Nursing
Curtis Reeves: Senior defensive lineman and Values-Based Management major
Pat Strocchia: Values-Based Management major and senior defensive lineman
Michael Torres: Junior defensive back pursuing a degree in Values-Based Management
Tristan Wolverton: Values-Based Management major and junior tight end

First-time recipients were made up of the following 11 individuals:
Blake Allen: Graduate student running back working on his Master's in Business Administration
Rob Baranowski: Junior defensive back and Finance major
Noah Barnes: Sophomore offensive lineman majoring in Middle Grades Education
Carl Bew: Sophomore quarterback and Communication & Media Arts major
William Brandau: Junior defensive back and Marketing major
Cortez Johnson: Graduate student defensive back working on his Master's in Business Administration
Aiden Niemczyk: A finance major and sophomore defensive lineman
Peyton Norton: Sophomore offensive lineman pursuing a degree in Entrepreneurship
Allan Richards: Junior linebacker majoring in Criminal & Social Justice
Trey Sayers: Graduate student defensive back working on his Master's in Business Administration
Joey Tumilty: Sophomore receiver majoring in Accounting & Business Analytics

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