PHILADELPHIA— The Philadelphia Area Sports Infromation Directors Association (Philly-SIDA) today released its Academic All-Area list for the 2025 Football season. The group recognized four Eastern University student-athletes with a spot on the team and selected Brett Nabb as the All-Area Performer of the Year. The team recognizes excellence on the field and in the classroom and is selected by vote from Sports Information Directors from the 30 area colleges and universities. Jason Bateman, Chris Rivera, and John Nolek joined Nabb and student-athletes from Villanova, Penn, Temple, Widener, Ursinus, Rowan and West Chester.

Nabb was one of four unanimous selections on the 24-player list. Eastern's veteran quarterback led his squad to a MAC Championship and was the MAC Offensive Player of the Year. He scored four times in helping his side to an NCAA Tournament win at Franklin & Marshall College. While working on his MBA in Organizational Leadership, Nabb rushed and threw for over 1300 yards. For the season, he ran for nearly six yards per carry and averaged nearly 15 yards per completion. This is the second appearance on the Philly-SIDA list for the Avalon, N.J. native.

Bateman is also a repeat selection to the Academic All-Area team. The junior linebacker from Upper Darby was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year. He finished with 97 tackles and seven forced fumbles. He was at the center of a defense that led the MAC in nearly every category and finished the year ranked 13th nationally in total defense. His ability to get sideline-to-sideline and versatility in rushing or dropping into coverage made him invaluable against the run or the pass. He is an Exercise Science major. 

Rivera also makes his second appearance on the All-Area Team. When teams kicked to him, the Second-Team All-MAC returner averaged nearly 30 yards per kick-off return. On offense, Raleigh, N.C. native averaged nearly 15 yards per catch. He is a Math/ Pre-Engineering major. 

Nolek makes his first appearance on the list. The junior kicker from Aston made eight field goals and knocked home 37-of-39 extra points while kicking deep on kick-offs. He was 3-of-5 on field goal attempts beyond 40 yards. His 3-for-3 day against Delaware Valley included a 45-yarder as time expired in the first half to send the two squads to halftime tied. Nolek is a Marketing major.

Student-athletes needed at least a 3.2 GPA to be nominated and the 24 honorees carried an average GPA of 3.66. 

All the honorees earned All-Conference recognition and many earned Regional and National Honors as well. Villanova linebacker Shane Hartzell and the quarterback-receiver duo of Liam O'Brien and Bisi Owens from Penn also earned unanimous selection to the All-Area list. 

Eastern University Football won the MAC Championship in the program's third year of competition. Nabb becomes the second Eastern male athlete to earn a performer of the year designation and the first since Jadon Ramsing earned the honor for Men's Soccer in 2017. Eastern has had multiple performers of the year in Women's Volleyball, Women's Soccer, and Women's Track and Field.