Football | November 14, 2019

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Senior quarterback Jon Wassink and junior offensive guard Mike Caliendo were named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District 5 first team, according to an announcement by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). It is the second career Academic All-District selection for Wassink and the first for Caliendo.

It is the first time WMU has had more than one Academic All-District selection since Mark Hardy and Tony Scheffler earned the honors in 2004. The Broncos and Kent State are tied for the most Mid-American Conference selections this year with two.

Wassink, a 2017 CoSIDA Academic All-District pick, has started all 11 games this fall, and every game the last three years in which he has been healthy. This fall, Wassink has completed 205-of-338 passes for 2,719 yards and 19 touchdowns against seven interceptions. He has added 267 rushing yards and three ground scores. He is powering WMU's offense to a MAC-best 36.0 points per game and a league-high 22 plays from scrimmage of 40 or more yards.

The Grand Rapids, Mich., native graduated from Western Michigan in December 2018 with a Bachelor's of Business in accountancy and 3.96 grade-point average. He is a finalist for the 2019 William V. Campbell Trophy and Senior CLASS Award, as well as being a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy. Wassink is currently pursuing his master's in accountancy from WMU. He is a two-time Academic All-MAC honoree and two-time MAC Distinguished Scholar.

Spending much of this fall protecting Wassink, Caliendo has started all 11 games this season, and every contest in the last two years. A Brookfield, Wis., product, Caliendo is helping the Bronco offense rank 14th nationally in third-down conversion percentage (.484), 21st in rushing offense (217.2 yards/game), 23rd in scoring (36.0 points/game), 24th in total offense (467.2 yards/game) and 24th in fewest sacks allowed (1.36 sacks/game).

In the classroom, Caliendo owns a 3.89 grade-point average as a biomedical sciences major. He is a two-time Academic All-MAC selection and two-time MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete.

Western Michigan (7-4, 5-2 MAC) does not play again until its regular season finale at Northern Illinois (4-6, 3-3 MAC) on Tuesday, November 26. Kick is set for 7 p.m. on ESPNU.

#LetsRide