Richie Heyder, a senior right fielder for Farmingdale State College, has been selected to the 2026 Academic All-America® NCAA Division III First Team, a testament to his outstanding performance on the diamond and in the classroom.
Heyder topped the nation with a .608 on-base percentage, ranking third in Division III with an .897 OBP, and led the Skyline Conference in batting average, slugging percentage, OPS, doubles and walks.
A Business Management major, Heyder maintains a 3.78 GPA, placing him among the top scholar-athletes recognized by the College Sports Communicators and the NCAA.
Dominance on the field
During the 2026 campaign the team posted a program-record 21-game winning streak, finished the season with 27 victories and captured the Skyline Conference title for the second straight year, earning the 10th automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship.
Heyder’s impact is reflected in the record books, where he holds career marks for batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, doubles and intentional walks.
Awards and recognition
In addition to the Academic All-America honor, Heyder earned D3baseball.com First Team All-American accolades and was named Skyline Conference Player of the Year, underscoring his all-around excellence.
The achievement also highlights the collaborative effort of Farmingdale State College, the National Junior College Athletic Association and the broader collegiate sports community in celebrating student-athletes who excel both athletically and academically.