Men's Lacrosse Nabs USILA Academic Team Award; Three Purple Knights Named 2026 Scholar All-Americans

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BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - The University of Bridgeport men's lacrosse team continued its outstanding tradition of academic success by earning the USILA Academic Team Award for the third consecutive year, the organization announced last week. In addition to the team recognition, seniors Connor Cullen, James Napoli and Ryan Thomas were each named 2026 USILA Scholar All-Americans.

The Purple Knights posted a 3.16 team grade-point average during the 2025-26 academic year, surpassing the USILA's 3.0 GPA requirement for Academic Team Award recognition.

Cullen, Napoli and Thomas also received individual Scholar All-America honors from the USILA, becoming just the second, third and fourth players in program history to earn the prestigious distinction. The trio joins Peter Nazario, who became Bridgeport's first-ever USILA Scholar All-American in 2024.

MORE ABOUT BRIDGEPORT'S USILA SCHOLAR ALL-AMERICANS ↓ ↓

Connor Cullen – Senior | Levittown, N.Y.

Cullen caps one of the most accomplished careers in UB men's lacrosse history with yet another prestigious academic honor. The senior graduated with a 3.55 cumulative GPA while pairing elite classroom success with a sensational 2026 campaign.

Cullen garnered Honorable Mention All-America recognition from USA Lacrosse, earned Honorable Mention All-Region accolades from the USILA and was selected to the CACC All-Conference First Team after leading all of NCAA Division II with a 74.1% face-off winning percentage.

Cullen also paced the CACC with 194 ground balls, helping lead the Purple Knights to the most successful season in program history. Over the course of his career, he became a three-time All-CACC selection while setting a conference record with 648 career face-off victories and finishing second in CACC history with 357 career ground balls.

In the classroom, Cullen was equally decorated, earning CSC Academic All-District honors twice and collecting three consecutive CACC All-Academic Team selections.

James Napoli – Senior | Wantagh, N.Y.

Napoli also concludes one of the most prolific careers in UB men's lacrosse history by adding USILA Scholar All-America recognition to an already impressive list of accomplishments.

Graduating with a 3.64 cumulative GPA, the senior excelled both on the field and in the classroom throughout his career. During a sensational 2026 campaign, Napoli earned Honorable Mention All-Region accolades from the USILA, was selected to the CACC All-Conference First Team (third career All-Conference honor) and became the first player in program history to compete in the USILA Senior All-Star Game.

A two-time CACC Player of the Week, he led the Purple Knights with career highs of 48 goals and 68 points while setting new program single-game records with 10 goals and 12 points in a victory over Caldwell on March 28.

Napoli finished his career ranked among the most accomplished offensive players in school history with 127 goals and 201 points. His success extended beyond the field, as he earned CSC Academic All-District honors in each of the last three seasons and was also a three-time CACC All-Academic Team selection.

Ryan Thomas – Senior | Farmingdale, N.Y.

Thomas caps one of the finest academic and defensive careers in program history by graduating with a stellar 3.96 cumulative GPA. During his senior campaign, he earned First Team All-CACC honors for the second straight season (third All-Conference overall) and was also selected as a USILA Honorable Mention All-Region performer after anchoring the Purple Knights' defense.

Thomas finished 2026 with 22 caused turnovers, 17 ground balls, one goal and one assist while helping lead Bridgeport to the most successful season in program history.

A model of consistency throughout his career, Thomas finished second in CACC history with 100 caused turnovers while also totaling 115 career ground balls. His accomplishments extended to the classroom as well, as he concluded his career as a three-time CSC Academic All-District selection and three-time CACC All-Academic Team honoree.

For all information regarding Bridgeport Athletics, visit www.UBKnights.com and follow UB Athletics on Facebook (UBPurpleKnights), X (@UBPurpleKnights) and Instagram (@UBPurpleKnights).