ITHACA, N.Y. – The Associated Press (AP) released its Division III Football All-America Teams on December 22 and Ithaca College senior defensive back Derek Slywka was named to the First Team. Slywka has now earned All-America honors from all three major organizations that announce All-America Teams (AFCA, D3football.com and AP). He increases the all-time All-Americans for the Ithaca football program to 157.
Slywka becomes the fifth Bomber to be named an All-American by all three organizations, joining Nicholas Bahamonde (2021), Brian Weverbergh (2008), Joe Scalice (2005) and Ron Amato (2000).
He just missed out on being a consensus First Team All-American, which would have been the first since Jeff Wittman in 1992. Slywka was named to First Team All-American by D3football.com and Second Team All-American by the AFCA.
The Waterloo, N.Y. native started all 12 games in the secondary for Ithaca this season as the Bombers went 9-3 and claimed their second straight Liberty League title with a perfect 6-0 record. They reached the second round of the NCAA Division III Championship.
Slywka played a major role in the defense's success this season as he recorded 51 total tackles, which ranked fourth on the team, while his six interceptions and 10 pass breakups led the squad. His 16 passes defended ranks second all-time on the single season list. He also blocked two kicks, recovered a fumble and forced another. Slywka caused a turnover in six straight games this season.
He has also been named First Team All-Liberty League, as well as D3football.com Region 2 Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team selection. Slywka garnered D3football.com Team of the Week twice this year and was the Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week on two occasions. Along with that, he was a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award and was recently named CSC Academic All-District, and has the chance of being named an Academic All-American.