Twenty-One University of Alabama Student-Athletes to Graduate Saturday
12/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | General
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The school's third all-time leading rusher, two NCAA Champions and a handful of All-Americans highlight the 21 University of Alabama student-athletes who will receive their undergraduate degrees during commencement exercises on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2006 at Coleman Coliseum.
The 21 student-athletes represent 11 of the Crimson Tide's varsity sports, including baseball, women's basketball, football, women's golf, rowing, softball, men's swimming and diving, women's tennis, men's and women's track and field and volleyball.
"Having 21 graduates in the December ceremony is quite remarkable," Jon Dever, Alabama's assistant athletics director for student services said. "These students have worked very hard to either graduate on time or in some cases early. It is a reflection of their work ethic in the classroom. We are very proud of what they have accomplished."
Five members of the Crimson Tide football team will take part in graduation exercises on Saturday, including running back Kenneth Darby, defensive back Jeffrey Dukes, defensive linemen Chris Harris and Keith Saunders and offensive lineman Kyle Tatum. The Crimson Tide football team will have eight graduates on the field when Alabama takes on Oklahoma State in the 2006 PetroSun Independence Bowl on Dec. 28 in Shreveport, La.
Four-time NCAA champion gymnast Ashley Miles and two-time NCAA champion swimmer Stefan Gherghel will both receive their degrees Saturday along with track and field All-American Latasha Pharr.
Second baseman Evan Bush, a four-year starter on the Tide's baseball team, and shortstop Dominique Accetturo, a four-year starter for the softball team, both graduate after helping their respective teams to SEC Championships last season. Women's basketball players Navonda Moore and Leah Drury won't be on hand to pick up their degrees on Saturday since they will be in Rushton, La. with the Tide to take on Louisiana Tech.
Also graduating will be: Keith Baker, Byron Gibson and Lemual Clayborn, men's track and field; Katie Barker and Jessica Yearout, volleyball; Lisa Andrzejewski and Audrey Gale, women's golf; Natalie McElveen, women's tennis; Stephanie Rainey, rowing.
