13 Blue Raider student-athletes graduate at special ceremony

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, center, is shown with other university officials and graduating student athletes Tuesday, April 23, at a special commencement ceremony held for those Blue Raider student athletes who have upcoming competition commitments and will be unable to attend the regular May 4 commencement at Murphy Center. The special ceremony was held in the second floor atrium of the Miller Education Center on Bell Street. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

With the flip of their tassels from right to left, 13 of Middle Tennessee State University‘s finest student-athletes became MTSU graduates Tuesday, April 23, 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.

Golfer Hanley Long, 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 golfer Hanley Long, left, and mother Lisa Long share proud moment Tuesday, April 23, at a special commencement ceremony for student athletes who have upcoming competition commitments and will be unable to attend the regular May 4 commencement at Murphy Center. The special ceremony was held in the second floor atrium of the Miller Education Center on Bell Street. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

MTSU golfer Hanley Long, left, and her mother, Lisa Long, share a proud moment Tuesday, April 23, at a special commencement ceremony for student-athletes whose upcoming competition commitments make them unable to attend the regular May 4 commencement at Murphy Center. The special ceremony was held in the second-floor atrium of the Miller Education Center on Bell Street. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

MTSU’s president, Dr. Sidney A. McPhee, was on hand to confer degrees, along with MTSU Provost Mark Byrnes, College of Behavioral and Health Sciences dean and athletics faculty representative Terry Whiteside, Director of Athletics Chris Massaro 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 new graduate Darrell Freeman Jr.

Read the full story by Josh Vardaman of GoBlueRaiders.com and see more photos here.

From left, MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, graduating baseball player Darrell Freeman Jr. and his father and MTSU Board of Trustees Vice Chairman Darrell Freeman Sr. pose for a photo Tuesday, April 23, at a special commencement ceremony for Blue Raider student athletes who have upcoming competition commitments and will be unable to attend the regular May 4 commencement at Murphy Center. The special ceremony was held in the second floor atrium of the Miller Education Center on Bell Street. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, left, joins graduating baseball player Darrell Freeman Jr. and his father, MTSU Board of Trustees Vice Chairman Darrell Freeman Sr., to pose for a photo Tuesday, April 23, at a special commencement ceremony for Blue Raider student athletes who have upcoming competition commitments and will be unable to attend the regular May 4 commencement at Murphy Center. The special ceremony was held in the second-floor atrium of the Miller Education Center on Bell Street. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)