SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Five members of the Shepherd University football team have been named to the 2023 Academic All-District® Football team. The team, selected by College Sports Communicators (CSC), recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes football honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA. 

Redshirt-junior defensive lineman Matt Bednarski (Martinsburg, W.Va./Martinsburg), redshirt-sophomore defensive lineman Mike Forbes (Cheltenham, Md./Friendship Collegiate Academy), redshirt-sophomore offensive lineman Ty Lucas (Martinsburg, W.Va./Martinsburg), graduate student long snapper Zach Frye (Fremont, Ohio/Fremont Ross), and sophomore tight end Brian Jester (Frederick, Md./St. Frances Academy) garnered CSC Academic All-District honors. 

Bednarski boasts a 3.78 grade point average as a health promotion and exercise science major as an undergraduate while currently pursuing an MBA. He appeared in 12 games with 11 starts. Bednarski recorded 24 tackles with 13 solo stops. He added five tackles-for-loss (-18 yards) and three sacks (-15 yards). He also added a forced fumble, a pass breakup, and a blocked kick. 

Forbes boasts a 3.51 grade point average as a sports marketing major. Forbes appeared in 12 games with one start. He recorded 20 tackles (10 solos) with 1.5 tackles-for-loss (-6 yards) and a sack (-5 yards).

Lucas boasts a 3.67 grade point average as a business management major. He appeared and started in all 12 games. Lucas garnered All-PSAC East first team honors for the past two seasons. 

Frye boasts a 3.80 grade point average as a strategic communications and public relations major as an undergraduate and is currently pursuing an MBA.. He handled all of the long snapping duties for the Rams in 2023.  

Jester boasts a 3.92 grade point average as a sports marketing major. He appeared in 12 games with nine starts. He had nine catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.  

Academic All-District® honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. Student-athletes selected as CSC Academic All-America® finalists will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced Jan. 23, 2024.
 
The Division II and III CSC Academic All-America® programs are financially supported in part by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2023-24 Divisions II and III Academic All-America® programs. The NAIA CSC Academic All-America® program is financially supported in part through the NAIA governance structure.