AUSTIN, Texas – Three student-athletes from the NEWMAC were named to the 2025 Academic All-America® football teams selected by the College Sports Communicators (CSC). MIT’s Dominic Hess (Damascus, Md.) and WPI’s Josh Castro (Pittsburgh, Pa.) were each first team selections, while Springfield College’s Tyler Sordillo (Hull, Mass.) was named to the second team.
 
Seven honorees on the Academic All-America® Division III football teams boast a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school, including Castro, who graduated with a 4.00 and has maintained a 4.00 in his Computer Science graduate program. A punter, Castro also earned first-team AFCA All-American honors, first-team and second-team All-NEWMAC selection (second team as a wide receiver). He ranked second nationally with a 44.6-yard punting average and set a WPI program record with a 94-yard punt, finishing the year with 22 punts inside the 20-yard line.

Hess carries a 3.9 GPA, majoring in Mechanical Engineering & Finance. The junior was selected to the 2025 AFCA Division III Coaches' All-America second team, as well as NEWMAC first team honors. A defensive back, Hess tied for the NEWMAC lead with five interceptions, while also recording 45 total tackles, 25 solo tackles, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.  

Sordillo has earned a 3.65 GPA in his Exercise Science major. The defensive lineman earned a spot on the AFCA Division III All-America Second Team and was named third-team All-American by the Associated Press (AP). Sordillo led the Springfield defense to one of its most dominant seasons in program history, registering 11.5 sacks, 14.0 tackles for a loss, and 56 total tackles, while as a team Springfield ranked among the best in Division III, allowing just 13.3 points per game, 216.3 total yards per game, and 71.3 rushing yards per game. Sordillo was also recognized as the NEWMAC Defensive Player of the Year.
 
About the NEWMAC

The NEWMAC is an association of 12 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with eight Associate Members: Brandeis University (Women's Lacrosse, 2026-2027), New York University (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), SUNY New Paltz (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), and Vassar College (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), while sponsoring 20 sports.