Six Tusculum University student-athletes have been named to the 2026 NCAA Division II Men's At-Large Academic All-District庐 3 first team. Honorees include golfer Marinus Jeebe, volleyball players Caleb Hammann and Morgan Makovec, and lacrosse players Blake Harrison, Aiden Paczek, and Jayden Rios. These awards recognize exceptional academic and athletic performances across ten NCAA sports, with selection criteria focused on GPA and participation. Jeebe returns to the All-District team after achieving a 3.94 GPA, while others have also excelled academically and athletically within their respective sports. The honorees will have the chance to advance to the Academic All-America庐 ballot, with results being announced on July 8, 2026.

By the Numbers
  • Marinus Jeebe: 3.94 GPA, played in 5 events with a 75.21 stroke average, finished 9th in Bob Dibble Memorial.
  • Caleb Hammann: 3.86 GPA, contributed 59 kills and 80 blocks over 24 matches.
  • Morgan Makovec: 3.62 GPA, 215 kills with a .538 hitting percentage, setting a school record.
  • Blake Harrison: 3.62 GPA, started all 14 games, tallied 53 ground balls and 16 caused turnovers.
  • Aiden Paczek: 3.73 GPA, started 14 games, recorded 23 ground balls and caused 26 turnovers.
  • Jayden Rios: 3.54 GPA, won 143 faceoffs, registered 10 points in 13 games.
Yes, But

Despite the achievements, maintaining a balance between academic excellence and the demands of college athletics remains a challenge. The criteria for accolades may not fully reflect the broader contributions of all student-athletes, raising questions about inclusivity in award recognition.

State of Play
  • All six athletes represent a combination of sports that emphasize both rigorous competition and academic performance.
  • The Academic All-District team showcases talented student-athletes from various colleges within the South Atlantic Conference, Peach Belt Conference, and Conference Carolinas.
What's Next

With these nominations, the Pioneers will await the announcement of Academic All-America庐 honors. Athletes will continue to compete while balancing their studies, looking to build on their academic and athletic legacies.

Bottom Line

The recognition of these six athletes highlights Tusculum's commitment to excellence in both academics and athletics. It serves as an inspiration for current and future student-athletes to strive for high standards in their fields.