KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- For the fourth time in his Western Michigan career, Mike Caliendo has been named a Mid-American Conference Distinguished Scholar-Athlete.

Caliendo currently holds a 3.92 grade-point average while pursuing a master's in biological sciences. The Brookfield, Wisconsin, native earned his undergraduate degree from WMU in December 2019 in the same field and has his sights set on medical school once his football career comes to a close. Caliendo will be returning for a sixth year as a Bronco in the fall of 2021, taking advantage of NCAA policies which did not cost student-athletes a year of eligibility in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Caliendo is one of 11 players in the MAC this season to earn Distinguished Scholar-Athlete accolades. To receive the honor in football, a player must have made All-MAC, Academic All-MAC and carry a 3.5 grade-point average or better. It marks the 14th occasion a Bronco has been named a Distinguished Scholar-Athlete in the four seasons under head coach Tim Lester, most in the league.

The gradate student has started the last 39 games at left guard for the Broncos, leading an offensive line that has paved the way for WMU to rank in the top-five in the MAC in rushing offense and sacks allowed each of the last four seasons. 

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