Spring and Summer Graduates Honored at UAA Luncheon
Thursday, April 26, 2012 | General
The University Athletic Association (UAA) held a luncheon in special recognition of the 2012 Spring and Summer University of Florida graduating student-athletes on Thursday.
The luncheon gave the student-athletes and UAA staff a chance to look back and reflect on their successes at UF one last time before receiving their diplomas.
“I just wanted to congratulate the student-athletes on graduating from one of the best institutions in America,” Athletics Director Jeremy Foley said. “I also wanted to thank them for how they did it. It's not just a matter of being successful on the field. Our student-athletes are about the right things and do them the right way. It means a lot to the type of program we want to have. I certainly wish them all the best in the next phases of their lives.”
Assistant Athletic Director for Student Services Tom Williams, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Academic Affairs Keith Carodine and Academic Advisor for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and former Gator gymnast Maranda Smith (Placerville, Calif.) joined Foley as speakers at the event.
“It's amazing what this class has accomplished,” Carodine said. “This group of seniors has won at least 23 conference championships and six national championships but what we really appreciate is what everyone else doesn't see; when they're wrapping shoes for Gator Tracks, when they're going to Shands to visit the pediatric clinic, when they're at the Climb for Cancer Clinic and helping kids who are terminally ill with cancer. That's the great stuff that goes above and beyond anything on the field. It's been fun to watch our student-athletes grow to become great human beings and people of character. We love them all and wish them the best.”
Smith spoke to the student-athletes with first-hand experience having recently stood in their shoes. She shared with them how strong the Gator Nation is and how everything is in place for them to transition into life after Gator athletics.
I thought it was a nice last lunch and get-together for everyone to see each other and say goodbye,” senior volleyball player Elissa Hausmann (Tampa, Fla.) said. “It was fun to have the coaches and academic advisors there to get to talk to them before graduation.”
“Hearing Maranda Smith speak about what happens after graduation, her perspective on life and how she succeeded after her time as an athlete was really special,” Hausmann continued. “Also, it was great to have Mr. Foley there and he had good words of wisdom for us, as always.”
Over 30 student-athletes attended Thursday's luncheon. Among the 44 Spring and Summer graduates, 23 have received academic honors from the SEC.
