University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee Student-Athletes Continue Excellence in Classroom
December 09, 2004 | General
Dec. 9, 2004
Twenty-five current and former Vols and Lady Vols representing eight sports are graduating from the University of Tennessee Friday, continuing Tennessee's athletics commitment to excellence in the classroom. This group boasts 15 SEC honor roll and 21 Thornton Athletics Student Life Center honor roll recognitions.
Among the graduates are several student-athletes who have earned their diplomas early, such as football standout Kevin Burnett. He graduates for the second time at Tennessee, earning his master's degree in sport management. Burnett received a bachelor's degree in sport management in May 2003.
Junior safety Jason Allen also will sport his cap and gown at ceremonies this weekend, earning his bachelor's degree in sport management in two and a half years. He plans to start graduate school in January.
"The graduating student-athletes take with them college degrees that prepare them for a life of learning and opportunities," said Dr. Ruth Darling, associate provost and Thornton Center director. "They also take a set of skills they have acquired though their athletic participation that will contribute to their success in future careers and professions."
Another footballer, Michael Munoz, who finished his undergraduate degree in political science in December 2003 and is doing master's work in public administration, was named winner Tuesday of the Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy. Known as the "Academic Heisman," this award is presented to the nation's top scholar-athlete by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. He was a two-time Academic All-SEC recipient.
The athletics departments saw a dramatic rise last year in student-athlete academic success rates, rising from 86 percent in 2003 to 98 percent in 2004. Football, men's basketball and women's basketball boasted a 100 percent academic success rate.
The academic success rate is calculated by taking the graduation rate for athletes who entered the university in 1997 and adding any student-athlete that left the university in good standing, which includes athletes who leave to pursue professional careers or transfer to another college or university.
Aiding in the increase of the academic success rate is a program based in the Thornton Center, the Renewing Academic Commitment (RAC) program.
Eight former student-athletes who returned to the university to finish their degrees through RAC are graduating Friday. The RAC program works with former student-athletes by assisting them with advice on remaining degree requirements, course scheduling, tutoring, employment and internships opportunities offered through the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program, as well as use of the Thornton Center for their everyday needs.
"Commencement is always the happiest moment for me as the Faculty Athletics Representative at Tennessee," said Todd Diacon, head of the history department and NCAA/SEC faculty rep. "At this ceremony friends, families, coaches and counselors come together to celebrate the ultimate achievement at this university: graduation. I extend my warmest congratulations to this year's graduates."
Gov. Phil Bredesen headlines the 2004 Fall Commencement ceremonies. This is Bredesen's first commencement speech at UT and the first by a governor since former Gov. Don Sundquist's speech in the spring of 1998.
Ceremonies begin at 9 a.m. in Thompson-Boling Assembly Center and Arena (TBA). There is a short reception prior to graduation for student-athletes, their families and their coaches in the Letterman's Room of TBA at 7:45 a.m.
2004 fall graduates include:
| Women's Basketball | |
| La Toya Davis | Psychology |
| Men's Basketball | |
| Jonathan Higgins | Political Science |
| Football | |
| Jason Allen | Sport Management |
| Tony Brown | Criminal Justice |
| Kevin Burnett | Sport Management (Master's Degree) |
| Rick Clausen | Communication Studies |
| Victor McClure | Sociology |
| Karlton Neal | Sport Management |
| Chuck Prugh | General Business |
| Jason Respert | Sport Management |
| Ovince Saint Preux | Sociology |
| Women's Golf | |
| Tai Perry | Sociology |
| Mary Fernandez | Sociology |
| Soccer | |
| Mimi Couns | Sociology/Criminal Justice |
| Softball | |
| Carissa Roustan | Psychology |
| Men's Swimming and Diving | |
| Cameron McDaniel | Psychology |
| Women's Swimming and Diving | |
| Kylee Wells | Marketing |
| Men's Tennis | |
| Wade Orr | Industrial Engineering |
| Volleyball | |
| Whitney Gifford | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
| Renewing Academic Commitments | |
| Jeff Smith, football | Sociology |
| Floyd Miley, football | Sociology |
| Diron Robinson, football | Urban Studies |
| Teddy Gaines, football | History |
| Jarvis Reado, football | Urban Studies |
| Mike Stowell, football | Sociology |
| Peter Handoyo, tennis | Management |
| CJ Black, basketball | Interdisciplinary Studies - Urban Studies |
