Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Temple Student-Athletes Participate in Commencement Exercises
5.15.14 | Softball
PHOTO GALLERY from Athletics' Graduation Reception
PHILADELPHIA - A total of 90 Temple University student-athletes will graduate during this academic year. Sixty-three of those student-athletes participated in Thursday's 127th annual Commencement ceremonies at the Liacouras Center. The Commencement exercises celebrated the achievements of one of the largest graduating class in Temple history with more than 9,000 graduates.
Among those participating were field hockey's Molly Doyle (Havertown, Pa.), the 2014 co-PNC Female Student-Athlete of the Year; men's basketball player Jimmy McDonnell (Jackson, N.J.) the 2013-14 American Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete for Men's Basketball; cross country and track's Anna Pavone (West Chester, Pa.), the 2014 NovaCare Comeback Student-Athlete of the Year who set the school record in the mile at the 2014 American Indoor Championships; men's soccer's Vaughn Spurrier (Cleveland, Ohio), the 2014 American Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year (all sports) and the 2014 PNC Male Student-Athlete of the Year; women's basketball player Natasha Thames (Port Huron, Mich.), a 2014 American All-Conference selection and Dean's List student.
"Graduation is always the best day for the University, as well as the athletic department," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Kevin Clark. "I want to congratulate all of our outstanding student-athletes on the greatest success of their college careers-- earning a diploma from Temple University. Graduating our student-athletes is something we take great pride in, and it truly is a team effort. Our coaches instill the importance of success in the classroom, while our academic support staff provides the tools needed to succeed. Today's commencement is the byproduct of our commitment to academic excellence."
The 90 student-athletes represented 23 of Temple's 24 intercollegiate sports (men's tennis had no seniors). Football had the most graduates with 19, followed by baseball with nine, and women's track and field with six. Men's soccer, women's gymnastics, women's rowing, softball, and women's volleyball had five graduates each. The numbers include fall 2013 and summer 2014 graduates.
Temple Athletics' Class of 2014 is comprised of student-athletes from 21 different states, including New Jersey and Delaware, but as far away as California, Hawaii, and Washington. The graduates combined for almost 14,000 credit hours, enrolled in 12 different colleges with 49 different majors. The 90 Owls combined for a 3.16 grade-point average (GPA).
In competition, these 90 graduating Owls were a part of more than 800 wins, 12 NCAA postseason appearances, six conference championships, and a bowl victory while receiving numerous individual national and conference accolades.
In celebration of the accomplishments of the graduating seniors, Temple Athletics hosted a reception on Wednesday evening prior to graduation exercises for the student-athletes and their families. The Department presented each graduate with a special Student-Athlete sash that was worn during the ceremonies.
Commencement 2014
About the Class of 2014
2014 Honorary Degrees
Ali Watkins, Women's Rowing: From Owl to Watchdog
Vaughn Spurrier, Men's Soccer: Balancing athletics and academics
PHILADELPHIA - A total of 90 Temple University student-athletes will graduate during this academic year. Sixty-three of those student-athletes participated in Thursday's 127th annual Commencement ceremonies at the Liacouras Center. The Commencement exercises celebrated the achievements of one of the largest graduating class in Temple history with more than 9,000 graduates.
Among those participating were field hockey's Molly Doyle (Havertown, Pa.), the 2014 co-PNC Female Student-Athlete of the Year; men's basketball player Jimmy McDonnell (Jackson, N.J.) the 2013-14 American Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete for Men's Basketball; cross country and track's Anna Pavone (West Chester, Pa.), the 2014 NovaCare Comeback Student-Athlete of the Year who set the school record in the mile at the 2014 American Indoor Championships; men's soccer's Vaughn Spurrier (Cleveland, Ohio), the 2014 American Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year (all sports) and the 2014 PNC Male Student-Athlete of the Year; women's basketball player Natasha Thames (Port Huron, Mich.), a 2014 American All-Conference selection and Dean's List student.
"Graduation is always the best day for the University, as well as the athletic department," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Kevin Clark. "I want to congratulate all of our outstanding student-athletes on the greatest success of their college careers-- earning a diploma from Temple University. Graduating our student-athletes is something we take great pride in, and it truly is a team effort. Our coaches instill the importance of success in the classroom, while our academic support staff provides the tools needed to succeed. Today's commencement is the byproduct of our commitment to academic excellence."
The 90 student-athletes represented 23 of Temple's 24 intercollegiate sports (men's tennis had no seniors). Football had the most graduates with 19, followed by baseball with nine, and women's track and field with six. Men's soccer, women's gymnastics, women's rowing, softball, and women's volleyball had five graduates each. The numbers include fall 2013 and summer 2014 graduates.
Temple Athletics' Class of 2014 is comprised of student-athletes from 21 different states, including New Jersey and Delaware, but as far away as California, Hawaii, and Washington. The graduates combined for almost 14,000 credit hours, enrolled in 12 different colleges with 49 different majors. The 90 Owls combined for a 3.16 grade-point average (GPA).
In competition, these 90 graduating Owls were a part of more than 800 wins, 12 NCAA postseason appearances, six conference championships, and a bowl victory while receiving numerous individual national and conference accolades.
In celebration of the accomplishments of the graduating seniors, Temple Athletics hosted a reception on Wednesday evening prior to graduation exercises for the student-athletes and their families. The Department presented each graduate with a special Student-Athlete sash that was worn during the ceremonies.
Commencement 2014
About the Class of 2014
2014 Honorary Degrees
Ali Watkins, Women's Rowing: From Owl to Watchdog
Vaughn Spurrier, Men's Soccer: Balancing athletics and academics
Ep. 2: Temple Football Alum Tyler Matakevich || Gymnastics Junior Amelia Budd
Friday, September 05
Elevate the Owls: Temple Athletics' Competitive Excellence Fund
Tuesday, September 02
Ep. 1: Head Football Coach K.C. Keeler || XC's David Litvin & WLAX's Amelia Wright
Friday, August 29
Introducing The Owl Pod: The Official Podcast of Temple Athletics!
Friday, August 22
