St. John's University Athletics
Bjorn Nikolajewski Named College Sports Communicators Academic All-America First Team Selection
12/16/2025 12:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Nikolajewski becomes the program’s first CSC Academic All-America First Team honoree since 2007
QUEENS, N.Y. – St. John's men's soccer graduate student Bjorn Nikolajewski was named a 2025 College Sports Communicators (CSC), formerly known as CoSIDA Academic All-America selection, the organization announced on Tuesday.
Nikolajewski becomes the program's first Academic All-America First Team honoree since Jeff Stepan in 2007. The defender becomes the seventh Red Storm player to earn the award joining Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau (2023), Stepan (2006-07), Matt Groenwald (2003-05), Chris Wingert (2001-03), Patrick Lonergan (2002) and Jeff Stoklosa (2001).
The Berlin, Germany native was honored as one of the top student-athletes across NCAA Division I Men's Soccer. The team captain holds a 4.0 GPA in the sports management master's program and was one of 11 players selected to the Academic All-America Team to achieve a perfect mark in the classroom. Nikolajewski was the only first team selection and one of two players in the BIG EAST, joined by Seton Hall's Augustin Resch to be recognized.
After missing the first six games due to injury, Nikolajewski made an instant impact for the Red Storm guiding the team to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2021 and 23rd in the last 35 years. The center back started 12 of the final 13 games of the season totaling 1,040 minutes.
The graduate student tallied four goals on the year with St. John's recording a 3-1 record in the contests he scored in. Nikolajewski went 2-for-2 from the penalty spot, including igniting a two-goal comeback against Providence on Oct. 11.
Nikolajewski continues to rack up awards as he was tabbed an All-BIG EAST First Team selection, All-ECAC Second Team honoree and earned a CSC All-District Team nod.
The Germany native began his collegiate career in Storrs playing two seasons at UConn in 2021-22. After transferring to St. John's and missing the 2023 campaign due to injury, Nikolajewski started in all 31 of his appearances over the last two seasons leading the Johnnies backline.
Nikolajewski becomes the program's first Academic All-America First Team honoree since Jeff Stepan in 2007. The defender becomes the seventh Red Storm player to earn the award joining Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau (2023), Stepan (2006-07), Matt Groenwald (2003-05), Chris Wingert (2001-03), Patrick Lonergan (2002) and Jeff Stoklosa (2001).
The Berlin, Germany native was honored as one of the top student-athletes across NCAA Division I Men's Soccer. The team captain holds a 4.0 GPA in the sports management master's program and was one of 11 players selected to the Academic All-America Team to achieve a perfect mark in the classroom. Nikolajewski was the only first team selection and one of two players in the BIG EAST, joined by Seton Hall's Augustin Resch to be recognized.
After missing the first six games due to injury, Nikolajewski made an instant impact for the Red Storm guiding the team to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2021 and 23rd in the last 35 years. The center back started 12 of the final 13 games of the season totaling 1,040 minutes.
The graduate student tallied four goals on the year with St. John's recording a 3-1 record in the contests he scored in. Nikolajewski went 2-for-2 from the penalty spot, including igniting a two-goal comeback against Providence on Oct. 11.
Nikolajewski continues to rack up awards as he was tabbed an All-BIG EAST First Team selection, All-ECAC Second Team honoree and earned a CSC All-District Team nod.
The Germany native began his collegiate career in Storrs playing two seasons at UConn in 2021-22. After transferring to St. John's and missing the 2023 campaign due to injury, Nikolajewski started in all 31 of his appearances over the last two seasons leading the Johnnies backline.
Players Mentioned
Defender
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