WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – Four student-athletes from the Wilkes football team were selected to the 2025 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team, as announced by the organization Tuesday afternoon. 

Brayden Shaffer (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville), Rob Barbieri (Avoca, PA/Pittston Area), and Ryan Opperman (Lewisburg, PA/Lewisburg) are first time recipients of the honors, while Nick Volpone (Delco, PA/Ridley) earns this accolade for the second time in his career with Wilkes. 

As a nursing major, Opperman earned a 3.81 GPA while playing in 10 games for the Colonels. The sophomore defensive back registered 46 tackles and finished in the top for break-ups (5) and interceptions (3) while earning his first All-Landamark selection.

Barbieri started in all 11 games for the 2025 season, finishing the year first on break-ups and interceptions with seven and three respectively, fourth on the team for tackles (61), and earned his second All-Landmark selection. The junior business major earned the Academic All-District honor with a 3.54 GPA. 

Shaffer played in all 11 games for Wilkes, finishing fifth on the team in yards (117) and touchdowns (1). On top of his accolades on the field, the senior sports management major earned a 3.92 GPA.

 Volpone, a fellow senior, started in 11 games for Wilkes, finishing second in the Landmark with 14 field goals, the most in a season for Wilkes' internet era, and earned his second All-Landmark selection. The sports management major earned his second Academic All-District with a 3.53 GPA. 

To be chosen to the 2025 Academic All-District Women's Volleyball Team, a student-athlete had to have been at least a sophomore academically and athletically, have at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), and must have competed in 90 percent of the team's matches or must have started at least 66 percent of the games for their team.