ITHACA, N.Y. – In a vote casted by Division III sports information directors, Ithaca College sophomore defensive back Joe Spirra was selected as an Associated Press (AP) Second Team All-American on December 18. The honor marks the seventh straight season in which at least one Bomber received All-America praise from one of three organizations.
The Bridgewater, N.J. native adds the most distinguished honor to his already impressive sophomore season. Spirra was also recognized as a 2025 D3football.com First Team All-Region honoree, a 2025 All-Liberty League First Team selection and the 2025 Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year.
Spirra anchored an Ithaca defense that allowed a league-low 14.9 points per game this season and ranked second in total defense, yielding just 273.1 yards per contest. A starter in all 10 games, he led the Bombers in interceptions (2) and pass breakups (5) while finishing second in tackles (80) and tackles for loss (6.5). Spirra recorded a team-high 41 solo stops and added 39 assisted tackles, along with 6.5 tackles for loss for 22 yards, two quarterback hurries, and a nine-yard sack. He ranked among the league’s top defensive players, tying for fifth in passes defended (7) and sixth in interceptions, while placing fifth in solo tackles, sixth in total tackles, sixth in tackles per game (8.0).
Through 20 games with the Bombers, Spirra has amassed 133 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, six interceptions and 11 pass breakups.
Spirra becomes the 159th Ithaca football player to be named All-American dating back to 1940, and the 59th to be honored by the Associated Press.