First time Huskies have made this list in a decade, both from Dickonson County
HOUGHTON, Mich. – Michigan Tech defensive back Dante Basanese and wide receiver Nic Nora have been selected by the College Sports Communicators to the 2025 Academic All-America First Team, announced Tuesday.
The Husky Academic All-American duo is the first since 2016. Basanese was one of five defensive backs at the Division II level to be named to the First Team, while Nora was one of three wide receivers to earn First Team Academic All-America distinction.
Basanese a senior defensive back, earning Academic All-America First Team status for the first time, is also 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.
Nora, a junior wide receiver and the pride of Kingsford, Michigan, made the Academic All-America First Team following 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 Academic All-America® program is financially supported by the NCAA Division II national governance structure to assist the College Sports Communicators with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2025-26 Division II Academic AllAmerica® program.
