2024-25 CSC Tennis Academic All-America Teams
SEWARD, Neb. – Nick Velders has joined Joe Bindl as the second Academic All-American in the history of Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Tennis, as chosen by College Sports Communicators (CSC). On Wednesday (June 4), CSC announced Velders as a 2024-25 NAIA First Team Academic All-American. Only 12 NAIA men’s tennis student-athletes nationally earned Academic All-America accolades. Back on May 13, Velders was one of three Bulldogs from the men’s tennis program named Academic All-District by CSC.
The 2024-25 Academic All-America® Tennis Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. Student-athletes must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher in order to be nominated for this award. Nominees also had to meet specific requirements in terms of games played and games started during the 2024-25 season. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
After garnering all-district accolades, Velders was elevated to Academic All-America status after a vote conducted by NAIA CSC members. A native of Gelderland, Netherlands, Velders made an immense impact in his first season within Head Coach Lisa Hart’s program. The junior standout reeled in GPAC Player of the Year and NAIA Second Team All-America accolades while leading the Bulldogs to a school record-tying 14 wins and an appearance in the GPAC tournament finals in 2024-25. Velders went 19-2 in singles matches while breaking a program individual record. An Exercise Science major, Velders has achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.90 in his college career.
Other Academic All-District honorees from Concordia were Manuel Rodriguez and Grady Works. The all-district release can be found HERE.