SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 7, 2026) – Four members of the Western New England football team earned distinctions on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, presented to member institutions across NCAA Divisions I, II, III, and NAIA, for their impact in the classroom and on the playing field. 

Western New England's James Burg, Ben Caulfield, Ryan Clark, and Henry Rodrigues earned honors for 2025. Caulfield and Rodrigues earn honors for the second straight season, while Burg and Clark pick up accolades from the organization for the first time in their careers. 

In order to qualify for the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team honors, a student-athlete must meet academic and athletic eligibility standards. Academic eligibility includes amassing a 3.50 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale and must be at least an academic sophomore standing. Additionally, the student-athlete must meet the sport-specific nomination criteria, which include competition in at least 90% of the institution's games or having started in 66% of the institution's games.  

James Burg saw action in all ten games this season for the Golden Bears at the tight end position. The Hopewell Junction, New York, native came up with eight catches for 92 yards on the season while scoring a pair of touchdowns, both coming in Conference of New England action. Burg set career highs in games played, catches, yards, and touchdowns this season for the Golden Bears. 

Junior Ben Caulfield competed in nine of Western New England's ten games on the season as a defensive back, helping the WNE defense slow down opposing offenses. Caulfield collected 32 tackles overall for the year, 18 solo tackles and 14 assisted tackles. Caulfield earned one tackle for loss, picking up three interceptions for the year, and recorded five total pass deflections for the Golden Bears. 

Ryan Clark competed in all ten games in 2025, picking up career bests in nearly every statistical category for the Golden Bears. Clark registered 20 solo tackles and 22 assisted tackles on the season, totaling 42 tackles overall. The Chelmsford, Massachusetts, native picked up 6.5 tackles for loss, ranking second-most on the team, and also recorded his first career interception during the season, coming in a home victory over Worcester State University (9/20). 

Henry Rodrigues emerged as one of the top defenders this season for Western New England, also coming away with career highs. Rodrigues picked up nine solo tackles and 17 assisted tackles over ten games played, recording 26 tackles for the season. Rodrigues also picked up a tackle and a half for loss in 2025 for the Golden Bears.

The Western New England football team recorded six wins over ten games this past season, going 5-0 at Golden Bear Stadium.