ITHACA, N.Y. – The Liberty League released its postseason awards for the 2025 football season on November 18 following the votes cast by the eight head coaches of the conference, and 13 members of the Ithaca College program found a spot on one of the three teams and sophomore defensive back Joe Spirra was named the Defensive Player of the Year.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Joe Spirra, Sophomore, Defensive Back, Ithaca College

For the fourth straight year, a player from the Ithaca defense has claimed the Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year award, as sophomore defensive back Joe Spirra takes home the 2025 honor. Spirra anchored an Ithaca defense that allowed a league-low 14.9 points per game and ranked second in total defense, yielding just 273.1 yards per contest. A starter in all 10 games, he led the Bombers in interceptions (2) and pass breakups (5) while finishing second in tackles (80) and tackles for loss (6.5). Spirra recorded a team-high 41 solo stops and added 39 assisted tackles, along with 6.5 tackles for loss for 22 yards, two quarterback hurries, and a nine-yard sack. He ranked among the league's top performers, tying for fifth in passes defended (7) while placing fifth in solo tackles, sixth in total tackles, sixth in tackles per game (8.0), and tied for sixth in interceptions.

FIRST TEAM

Joining Spirra on the first team are six other Bombers. On offense, Nicholas Lang and Jimmy Mullevey, on defense, Aidan Parry, Ryan Burns and Sam Tourangeau and as a specialist Michael Reed.

Lang was far and away the most productive wide receiver in the Liberty League this season as he finished with 60 receptions for 899 yards and 10 touchdowns. He ranked first in the conference in touchdowns and yards (by more than 120) and was second in receptions. Lang was also fourth in the league in scoring with 11 touchdowns on the year.

Mullevey started all 10 games at left tackle for the Bombers this season and led the way for the No. 1 offense in yards (370.7) and second in scoring (28.4). The Bombers possessed the best passing offense in the conference and ranked second in rushing offense. IC was also the best first down and third down offense in the Liberty League.

Parry was a run-stopper on the best defensive unit in the Liberty League this season. From his interior line position, Parry logged 19 total tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and a half sack. His ability to eat up blocks allowed the linebackers and safeties to make reads and pursue the ball with ease as Ithaca was the only team in the Liberty League to allow less than 100 yards rushing per game.

Burns earned his first career all-conference honor as he recorded 60 total tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss, seven quarterback hurries, three pass breakups and a forced fumble in 10 games played.

Tourangeau returned from a season-ending injury in Week 1 of the 2024 season and put together a career year as a safety. He led Ithaca in total tackles with 87, to go along with 5.5 tackles for loss, a sack, forced fumble, blocked kick and four pass breakups.

Reed was selected as a first team athlete due to his hybrid role in the IC offense. Reed started the season as the backup quarterback and then found his way into the starting role at wide receiver. After another change, Reed was the starting signal caller and finished the season with 964 yards passing on 78-of-115 attempts with nine touchdowns. He also rushed for 455 yards and eight more scores, which led the team, and caught 10 passes for 73 yards.

SECOND TEAM

On this year's second team are Chris Scully, Daniel Pauletti and Jon Ramsey.

Scully was the starting running back for IC all season and missed just one game. He finished the year with 619 yards on the ground with six touchdowns. Scully also caught 14 passes for 116 yards and threw one touchdown for 46 yards.

Pauletti was another member of the offensive line as he split time between guard and center this season. He started in all 10 games for this year.

Ramsey, one of five captains on the team, started all 10 games at his defensive end position and notched 21 total tackles with 6.5 tackles for a loss of 36 yards and 2.0 sacks for 22 yards. He also recorded a pass breakup and two hurries.

HONORABLE MENTION

On the honorable mention team are three more members of the defense, Chris Clax, Ryan Reilly and Henry Takacs.

Clax appeared in all 10 games on the defensive line and finished the year with 21 tackles, 6.0 tackles for a loss of 36 yards and 3.0 sacks for 29 yards. He broke up four passes this season, logged five hurries, recovered a fumble, forced another and blocked a field goal in the 66th Cortaca Jug Game.

Reilly moved all along the defensive line this season in 10 games played and notched 20 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. He also had five hurries and a pass breakup.

Takacs was all over the field for the IC defense this season and led the unit with 8.5 tackles for a loss of 54 yards and 4.5 sacks for 41 yards. Takacs ranked fourth on the team with 50 total tackles, to go along with a forced fumble, fumble recovery, pass breakup and quarterback hurry.