Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
13 Blue Raiders graduate at special ceremony
4/23/2019 3:10:00 PM | General, BRAA
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – With the flip of their tassels from right to left, 13 of Middle Tennessee's finest student-athletes became MTSU graduates Tuesday at a special early spring commencement ceremony held at the Andrew Woodfin Miller Sr. Education Center.
The student-athletes will be unable to attend the May 4 commencement because they'll be representing the university on the field, court or course. Women's golfer Hanley Long, men's tennis players Gonzalo Morrell and Jacob Pugh, and baseball players Carter Bair, Blake Benefield, Darrell Freeman Jr., Drew Huff, Carson Lester, Andy Rivera, Andy Wright, Brett Stratinsky and Tyler Holcombe each were awarded bachelor's degrees. Baseball player Jake Wyrick earned a bachelor's degree but was absent because he's playing in the Cincinnati Reds organization.
MTSU's 10th President Dr. Sidney A. McPhee was on hand to confer degrees, along with MTSU Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Mark Byrnes, Dean of Behavioral and Health Science and athletics faculty representative Dr. Terry Whiteside, Director of Athletics Chris Massaro, Vice President and Spokesman Andrew Oppmann and other faculty, staff family members and guests.
"It's my pleasure to preside over this very special commencement as we recognize our graduating student-athletes who are unable to participate in the May 4 ceremony," McPhee said during his opening remarks. "Graduates, with today's ceremony, you will become part of a very distinguished history and tradition of this institution. As president, along with our outstanding faculty, staff and alumni, I want you to know we are indeed extremely proud of you and your accomplishment.
"The 13 of you being recognized today are among the 35 student-athletes receiving a degree this spring. This total is a remarkable number as we reflect on the priority of our athletic department … and graduates, I want you to enjoy this day."
Darrell Freeman, class of 1987, vice chairman of the MTSU Board of Trustees, spoke on behalf of the board. He's also the father of graduate Darrell Freeman Jr.
"Life's winners are the ones who are persistent, determined and focused on improving their crafts," Freeman Sr. said. "The winners are also the ones who are built with integrity, with respect for another man or woman.
"As you leave here today to take life's field, please know that MTSU has provided you all of the skills needed to be successful and has given you all of the skills needed to get off your parents' payroll. Go Blue Raiders."
The ceremony is unique in college athletics, and had to be pulled off quickly. Both tennis players didn't even know they would miss the regular graduation ceremony until Sunday when they won the Conference USA Men's Tennis Championships, advancing them to the NCAA Tournament. Long is also on the verge of qualifying for the NCAA Women's Golf Championship.
Massaro applauded the hard work done by the university faculty and staff in putting the ceremony together in quick order.
"It's a great team effort to make sure we had everything squared up, and it just shows when athletics and academics work together what can be done," Massaro said. "We're very appreciative of the administration for taking the time to do this. When you have the president, a board member, the provost, the faculty rep and all of the vice presidents present, it shows the commitment of the university towards athletics."
Three student-athletes graduated with honors. Long earned summa cum laude, while Morrell received magna cum laude and Pugh cum laude.
"All of their accomplishments are remarkable," Massaro said. "We have some of our top student-athletes both athletically and academically participating in the ceremony today."
Middle Tennessee's regular spring commencement will take place May 4 at the Murphy Center with two ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. See mtsu.edu for more information.
Tuesday's graduates:
Baseball
Carter Bair
Blake Benefield
Darrell Freeman
Drew Huff
Carson Lester
Andy Rivera
Andy Wright
Brett Stratinsky
Tyler Holcombe
Jake Wyrick*
*couldn't attend because of obligations with the Cincinnati Reds organization
Men's Tennis
Gonzalo Morell, magna cum lade, 3.75-3.89 GPA
Jacob Pugh, cum lade, 3.5-3.74 GPA
Women's Golf
Hanley Long, summa cum lade, 3.9-4.0 GPA
The student-athletes will be unable to attend the May 4 commencement because they'll be representing the university on the field, court or course. Women's golfer Hanley Long, men's tennis players Gonzalo Morrell and Jacob Pugh, and baseball players Carter Bair, Blake Benefield, Darrell Freeman Jr., Drew Huff, Carson Lester, Andy Rivera, Andy Wright, Brett Stratinsky and Tyler Holcombe each were awarded bachelor's degrees. Baseball player Jake Wyrick earned a bachelor's degree but was absent because he's playing in the Cincinnati Reds organization.
MTSU's 10th President Dr. Sidney A. McPhee was on hand to confer degrees, along with MTSU Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Mark Byrnes, Dean of Behavioral and Health Science and athletics faculty representative Dr. Terry Whiteside, Director of Athletics Chris Massaro, Vice President and Spokesman Andrew Oppmann and other faculty, staff family members and guests.
"It's my pleasure to preside over this very special commencement as we recognize our graduating student-athletes who are unable to participate in the May 4 ceremony," McPhee said during his opening remarks. "Graduates, with today's ceremony, you will become part of a very distinguished history and tradition of this institution. As president, along with our outstanding faculty, staff and alumni, I want you to know we are indeed extremely proud of you and your accomplishment.
"The 13 of you being recognized today are among the 35 student-athletes receiving a degree this spring. This total is a remarkable number as we reflect on the priority of our athletic department … and graduates, I want you to enjoy this day."
Darrell Freeman, class of 1987, vice chairman of the MTSU Board of Trustees, spoke on behalf of the board. He's also the father of graduate Darrell Freeman Jr.
"Life's winners are the ones who are persistent, determined and focused on improving their crafts," Freeman Sr. said. "The winners are also the ones who are built with integrity, with respect for another man or woman.
"As you leave here today to take life's field, please know that MTSU has provided you all of the skills needed to be successful and has given you all of the skills needed to get off your parents' payroll. Go Blue Raiders."
The ceremony is unique in college athletics, and had to be pulled off quickly. Both tennis players didn't even know they would miss the regular graduation ceremony until Sunday when they won the Conference USA Men's Tennis Championships, advancing them to the NCAA Tournament. Long is also on the verge of qualifying for the NCAA Women's Golf Championship.
Massaro applauded the hard work done by the university faculty and staff in putting the ceremony together in quick order.
"It's a great team effort to make sure we had everything squared up, and it just shows when athletics and academics work together what can be done," Massaro said. "We're very appreciative of the administration for taking the time to do this. When you have the president, a board member, the provost, the faculty rep and all of the vice presidents present, it shows the commitment of the university towards athletics."
Three student-athletes graduated with honors. Long earned summa cum laude, while Morrell received magna cum laude and Pugh cum laude.
"All of their accomplishments are remarkable," Massaro said. "We have some of our top student-athletes both athletically and academically participating in the ceremony today."
Middle Tennessee's regular spring commencement will take place May 4 at the Murphy Center with two ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. See mtsu.edu for more information.
Tuesday's graduates:
Baseball
Carter Bair
Blake Benefield
Darrell Freeman
Drew Huff
Carson Lester
Andy Rivera
Andy Wright
Brett Stratinsky
Tyler Holcombe
Jake Wyrick*
*couldn't attend because of obligations with the Cincinnati Reds organization
Men's Tennis
Gonzalo Morell, magna cum lade, 3.75-3.89 GPA
Jacob Pugh, cum lade, 3.5-3.74 GPA
Women's Golf
Hanley Long, summa cum lade, 3.9-4.0 GPA
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