Chapman and Townsend Named FCS ADA Academic All-Stars
1/6/2026 11:00:00 AM | Football
The duo is among 57 honorees
CLEVELAND — Columbia football's Mark Chapman and Justin Townsend were selected to the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) Annual Academic All-Star team Tuesday morning.
Townsend, a Sociology major from Randolph, New Jersey, led the Ancient Eight with 14.0 tackles for loss. His 8.5 sacks in 2025 ranked second in the Ivy League and fourth on Columbia's single-season list. The senior captain also became Columbia's career sack leader after recording 2.5 sacks in the season finale against Cornell.
Chapman was a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy and the Lions' Academic All-Ivy League selection in 2025. An economics major from Guilford, Connecticut, he started all 10 games at center and was a three-year starter for the Lions, helping the unit steadily improve throughout the season.
Football players from all Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) institutions are eligible for the award. Each nominee was required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate or graduate study and to have been a starter or key player with legitimate athletic credentials. They must have reached their second year of athletics and academic standing at the nominated institution and have completed a minimum of one full academic year at the nominated institution. They also must have participated in 50 percent of the games played at their designated position.
About the FCS ADA:
Now in its 31st year, the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association's mission is to enhance Football Championship Subdivision football. For more information on the FCS ADA, please visit www.fcsada.com. The FCS ADA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 61st year. For more information on NACDA and the 19 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.
FOLLOW THE LIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on the Columbia football team, follow @CULionsFB on X, Instagram, Facebook and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Townsend, a Sociology major from Randolph, New Jersey, led the Ancient Eight with 14.0 tackles for loss. His 8.5 sacks in 2025 ranked second in the Ivy League and fourth on Columbia's single-season list. The senior captain also became Columbia's career sack leader after recording 2.5 sacks in the season finale against Cornell.
Chapman was a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy and the Lions' Academic All-Ivy League selection in 2025. An economics major from Guilford, Connecticut, he started all 10 games at center and was a three-year starter for the Lions, helping the unit steadily improve throughout the season.
Football players from all Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) institutions are eligible for the award. Each nominee was required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate or graduate study and to have been a starter or key player with legitimate athletic credentials. They must have reached their second year of athletics and academic standing at the nominated institution and have completed a minimum of one full academic year at the nominated institution. They also must have participated in 50 percent of the games played at their designated position.
About the FCS ADA:
Now in its 31st year, the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association's mission is to enhance Football Championship Subdivision football. For more information on the FCS ADA, please visit www.fcsada.com. The FCS ADA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 61st year. For more information on NACDA and the 19 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.
FOLLOW THE LIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on the Columbia football team, follow @CULionsFB on X, Instagram, Facebook and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
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