AUSTIN, Texas -- Mike Caliendo, a graduate student on the Western Michigan football team, has been named a first team Academic All-American by the College Sports Information Directors of America. It marks the 12th time in program history a Bronco has been named an Academic All-American and he becomes the eighth first team selection
Caliendo graduated with a degree in biological sciences and a 3.90 grade-point average. He currently holds a 3.88 GPA in graduate school, pursuing a master's in biological sciences. Caleindo was an Academic All-District selection in 2018 and is a four-time Mid-American Conference Distinguished Scholar-Athlete for earning Academic All-MAC and All-MAC selections in the same season. He also was a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy in 2020, college football's premier award for community service (won by WMU's Jon Wassink in 2019).
On the field, Caliendo has started 39 straight games for the Broncos, leading a WMU offense that has ranked in the MAC's top-five in rushing offense and sacks allowed each of the last four years. According to Pro Football Focus, he was the offensive line's top run-blocker and in 397 snaps in 2020, he allowed no sacks, no QB hits, just two QB hurries and was called for just one penalty.
He was the only first team selection from the Mid-American Conference. He and fellow offensive lineman
Wesley French were both earlier named Academic All-District selections by CoSIDA, making the eligible for Academic All-America voting.
Caliendo returns for another campaign in the brown and gold this fall, with the Broncos opening on Saturday, Sept. 4, at Michigan (Noon ET, ESPN). The home opener is the following week against Illinois State (5 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 11).
Season tickets and Pick 3 Plans are available now at
WMUBroncos.com/tickets.
