The Mid-American Conference revealed its 2026 Baseball Academic All-MAC Team on Monday, honoring 114 student-athletes who have distinguished themselves both on the diamond and in the classroom.
Eligibility Benchmarks
To earn the Academic All-MAC distinction, a player must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.20 and have taken part in at least half of the contests for their sport. Freshmen and transfers in their inaugural year of residence are excluded from consideration.
The conference noted that Western Michigan topped the list with fifteen honorees, while Kent State contributed thirteen. Several other schools placed ten or more athletes on the roster, underscoring the breadth of academic talent across the league.
Spotlight on Scholars
Among the recognized students, a number of standout performances emerged. At Akron, Taylor Bednar graduated with a 3.89 GPA in Sport Analytics, while Ball State’s Owen Quinn posted a 3.90 GPA in Sport Administration. Bowling Green’s Luke Krouse achieved a perfect 4.00 GPA in Intervention Specialist, and Central Michigan’s Spencer Verburg earned a 3.87 GPA in an MBA focused on Health System Leadership.
Eastern Michigan’s Fischer Hendershot maintained a 3.82 GPA in Supply Chain Management Intent, and Kent State’s Brody Krzysiak posted a 3.97 GPA in Finance. At UMass, Jack Beverly earned a flawless 4.00 GPA in Management (MSBA), and Miami’s Dominic Krupinski recorded a 3.82 GPA in Sport Management.
Northern Illinois contributed eight scholars, including Nick Bassi with a 3.73 GPA in Sport Management, while Ohio’s Cam Bryant posted a 3.87 GPA in Business Economics. Toledo’s Troy Sudbrook balanced an undergraduate 4.0 GPA with a graduate 3.92 GPA in an MBA program.
Western Michigan also celebrated Nolan Zajac, who graduated with a 3.93 GPA in Electrical Engineering, exemplifying the conference’s blend of technical rigor and athletic commitment.
A Culture of Excellence
The Academic All-MAC Team reflects a growing emphasis on integrating scholarly achievement with competitive sport. As the conference looks toward future seasons, the model sets a benchmark for other collegiate athletic programs seeking to reward students who excel in both arenas.