University of Connecticut Athletics
Husky Student-Athletes Celebrate Graduation
12/9/2018 1:57:00 PM | Student-Athlete Success Program
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December marks another farewell to some of our beloved student-athletes who are ready to embark on the next chapter of their lives, thanks to the impact of their coaches, teammates and academic advisors.
On December 8th, 83 guests attended UConn's Graduate Reception to show their support for the 14 student-athletes who accepted their diplomas from football, men's and women's soccer, women's track, baseball, volleyball and women's tennis.
The ceremony included remarks from Ellen Tripp—Associate A.D, Director of SASP, Adrianne Swinney—Division of Athletics COO/SWA, Trisha-Ann Hawthorne-Noble—Director of Student-Athlete Development and Dr. Scott Brown—Department Head Educational Psychology, NCAA FAR.
Once their certificates were received, it was time to turn the page. Fortunately, a majority of the skills necessary to be a successful student-athlete are easily transferrable to the real world.
UConn's student-athletes in particular, are ready to put those abilities to the test. Whether it be to continue school at the graduate level or start their first full-time jobs, they will now say goodbye to four years of lessons learned and championships earned with their degrees in hand.
"I am proud of all our graduates on completing their degrees as they get ready to take on the world, post collegiately," commented Hawthorne-Noble. "I cannot wait to see them all go on to accomplish great things in their lives."
The academic advising counselors at UConn spend a majority of their time tracking the academic progress of the student-athletes. More importantly, these advisors spend a lot of their time talking with student-athletes to check in and see how they're doing. Because of those conversations, the advisors are able to guide these students and make sure they are maintaining a proper balance of academics and athletics.
"Everyone is so helpful," said Katherine Surin, member of the women's track and field team. "Anytime I had an issue I could go to my advisor, my coaches, my teammates and even my teaching assistants. Everything about UConn makes it a family atmosphere. I even feel like I can reach out to people in different sports if there was something I needed."
There is no doubt that our student-athletes are ready to move to the next level, but that doesn't mean that it can't be an intimidating experience.
"I definitely think I have learned a lot about myself and how to manage different situations both because of athletics and academics," said women's soccer player Liane Keegans. "With the support that we have here I feel like I've gained the tools I need to go out in the real world and become a true adult."
All student-athletes have a special connection with their college or university. They have spent four years working incredibly hard to leave their mark and even though the memories will last a lifetime, once that fourth year hits, it's time to leave it all behind.
"I'll miss my team the most," said men's soccer player, Dylan Greenberg. "We'll have that bond with our teammates for the rest of our lives, it's an amazing thing. We're a family forever."
Every staff member at UConn wants to see Husky athletes win, but the most important thing is to see these student-athletes graduate and begin to work in the field of their choice. With the skills they've learned while a student, that's the biggest victory of all.
