ITHACA, N.Y. – The College Sports Communicators announced their Academic All-Americans for the 2023 football season and Ithaca College senior defensive back Derek Slywka was named to the first team. Slywka is now the 117th Academic All-American in school history and the 17th honoree from the football program.

The CSC Academic All-American award is one of the most prestigious honors a student-athlete can receive as it factors in academic and athletic success. In order to be considered an Academic All-American, a student-athlete must obtain over a 3.5 cumulative GPA, be a sophomore or higher in academic standing, be named an Academic All-District honoree and excel in their respective sport.

This season, Slywka was named All-American by the AFCA, Associated Press and D3football.com. He was a first team honoree by the AP and D3football.com, while the AFCA named him to the second team.

The Waterloo, N.Y. native becomes the first player in program history to be named an All-American by three organizations, as well as an Academic All-American in the same season.

Slywka completed his undergraduate degree this fall in sports media and finished his career with a 3.80 grade-point average.

On the field this season, Slywka was named D3football.com Region 3 Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Region 3 by D3football.com and was a First Team honoree by the Liberty League. He was also named to the D3football.com Team of the Week twice.

He recorded six interceptions and 10 pass breakups on the year, to go along with two blocked kicks, a fumble recovery and forced fumble, and logged 51 total tackles at his free safety position.

Slywka caused a turnover in six consecutive games as the Bombers won their second consecutive Liberty League championship and finished with a 9-3 record.