SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 19, 2025) – Western New England men's tennis senior Nick Bayer and Western New England women's tennis junior Sydney Shepard have been honored by the College Sports Communicators (CSC) organization on the 2025 Academic All-District team. 

To be recognized on the CSC Academic All-District Team, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore athletically and academically at their current institution. The student-athlete must also carry a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (GPA) or above and must have competed in 70% of the matches that the team scored in. A full list of all student-athletes recognized by the organization can be found here. The 2024-25 Academic All-District® Men's and Women's Tennis Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.

Bayer competed in his final season in blue and gold in 2025, accumulating four victories, including two in conference play, all coming in the top singles spot for Western New England. Bayer also picked up two wins in doubles action, also in the top spot, including one in conference play. Over his four-year career with Western New England, Bayer competed in 47 singles matches, all coming in the first spot. 

Shepard, a native of Windsor Locks, Connecticut, won two matches this season for the Golden Bears. Shepard also won an additional two matches in doubles action, both coming in the top spot. 

For more information about the College Sports Communicators Academic-All District Team, click here.