Union College’s Athletes Shine in 2026 CSC Academic All‑District Honors
The College Sports Communicators recently announced that six Union College student‑athletes from the men's hockey and lacrosse programs have earned spots on the 2026 CSC Academic All‑District Men's At‑Large Team. The At‑Large program, which spans ten men's sports, demands a minimum 3.50 GPA and significant on‑field participation, making the selection highly competitive.
Among the honorees, senior hockey defenseman Brandon Buhr stood out as Union's Senior Scholar‑Athlete of the Year. Buhr not only led the team in goals and assists but also earned runner‑up honors for ECAC Hockey's Scholar‑Athlete award before signing a professional contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has already posted two assists in five games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies.
Lacrosse Standouts Earn National Recognition
Walker Popko, a senior midfielder on the lacrosse squad, added another layer of distinction by earning All‑America honorable mention from USILA and USA Lacrosse Magazine. He capped his collegiate career with 49 goals and 18 assists for 67 points, topping the Liberty League in goals and ranking third nationally in points.
Jack Lucey also received USILA All‑America honorable mention and earned All‑ECAC recognition. He set new career highs with 41 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers, underscoring his defensive impact.
Defensive contributions were a common thread among the honorees. Chris Weitzel garnered All‑Liberty League second‑team honors with 37 ground balls and 25 caused turnovers, while Luke Foster was named a USA Lacrosse Magazine All‑America honorable mention after recording 28 caused turnovers and 46 ground balls.
Kyle Goodwin, another defensive standout, ranked fourth on the team with 44 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers, rounding out a strong defensive corps for Union.
Union College's academic excellence extends beyond this cohort; since 2001 the institution has amassed 326 Academic All‑District honors, reflecting a long‑standing commitment to balancing athletic achievement with scholarly rigor.