HOUGHTON, Mich. – Michigan Tech defensive back Dante Basanese, defensive lineman Pierce Miller and wide receiver Nic Nora have been selected by the College Sports Communicators to the 2025 Academic All-District Team, announced Tuesday.
Basanese a senior defensive back, now a two-time Academic All-District selection, hails from Iron Mountain, Michigan and finished third on the team in total tackles in 2025 with 61 (30 solo and 31 assisted) while leading the team in pass breakups (8), tying the team-lead with two interceptions and recorded a forced fumble and fumble recovery in his senior season that saw him earn First Team All-GLIAC honors. In the classroom, Basanese holds a 3.81 GPA studying mechanical engineering.
Miller, a junior defensive tackle and native of Spearfish, South Dakota, earned First Team All-GLIAC accolades after finishing the season with 29 total tackles (11 solo, 18 assisted) to go with 5.5 tackles for loss (24 yards) and two sacks for 12 yards to go with two quarterback hurries. Academically, Miller maintains a 3.50 GPA while pursuing a degree in management information systems.
Nora, a junior wide receiver and the pride of Kingsford, Michigan, also earned First Team All-GLIAC honors in 2025 after leading the Huskies in receptions (45), receiving yards (605) and receiving touchdowns (5). He also had 20 rushes for 135 yards and six touchdowns while leading the team in punt and kick returns. He accounted for 173 yards and a touchdown in nine punt returns and accounted for 13 kickoff returns for 244 yards. In the classroom, Nora holds a 3.59 GPA while pursuing a degree in exercise science.
The Division II and III CSC Academic All-America® programs are partially financially supported by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2025-26 Divisions II and III Academic All-America® programs. The NAIA CSC Academic All-America® program is partially financially supported through the NAIA governance structure.
Academic All-District® honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. Student-athletes selected as CSC Academic All-America® finalists are denoted with an asterisk and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced January 27, 2026.
