Florida Gators

Among the University of Florida graduates receiving their diplomas this weekend are 25 current and former Gator student-athletes. UF's fall commencement ceremonies will take place Saturday, Dec. 15.

A total of 20 graduates earned Academic All-Southeastern Conference mention and eight were recognized as either CoSIDA Academic All-Americans or part of their sport's national scholar All-America program.

Teresa Crippen will be honored as an Outstanding Female Leader at this weekend's ceremonies. Crippen finished her Gator career as a 17-time All-American and a three-time SEC individual event champion. She was part of the U.S. team at the 2011 FINA World Championships and claimed the 200-meter butterfly silver medal at the 2010 Pan Pacific Championships. The four-time College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-American also is a three-time Academic All-SEC team selection.

Among the Gator graduates is David Eckstein, the Most Valuable Player of the 2006 World Series. Eckstein was part of two World Series Championship teams – the 2002 Anaheim Angels and 2006 St. Louis Cardinals – during his 10 years in Major League Baseball. He is the only Gator baseball player to earn Academic All-America honors twice (1996, 1997). He also was an All-American the same seasons, with the Gators making their third trip to the NCAA College World Series in 1996.