SAN MARCOS, Texas – Thirty Texas State student-athletes received T-Rings, customized graduation stoles, and Sun Belt Conference medallions to adorn their robes when they participate in graduation exercises on Friday and Saturday in the University Events Center.
The student-athletes include football players Malik Alley, Landon Beck, Caleb Carlile, Nikolas Daniels, Ishmael Davis, Frankie Griffin, LeDarrius Harris, Mason Hays, Bryan London II, Elijah Rogers, Jacob Rowland, Joshua Rowland, Brendon Rushing, David Tachie, Anthony D. Taylor, JaShon Waddy, Justin Warner, and Josiah Washington. Other student-athletes included track and field's Samuel Hussey, Raquel Robinson, and Sidnee Land; soccer's Kelly Barbalias; golfers Lucas Mylet and Sarah White; volleyball's Amy Pflughaupt and Madison Daigle; softball's Haleigh Davis, and baseball's Jacob Almendarez, Kyle Bradford, and Ryan Newman.
The student-athletes began their weekend receiving Athletics "T" Ring, stoles, and Sun Belt Conference Medallion in a ceremony held Friday morning inside the Warren Reception Room at the Texas State End Zone Complex.
The "T" Ring symbolizes excellence on the playing field as well as the classroom. The criteria for receiving the ring include 1) receiving a "T" letter from the Athletic Department; 2) completing NCAA eligibility at Texas State, and 3) earning a bachelor's degree during the same academic year or within one year after their NCAA eligibility expired.
Along with their rings, all graduating student-athletes receive maroon graduation stoles to wear during commencements. A tradition introduced by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in December 2008, the graduation stoles serve to recognize student-athletes as a unique group on campus.
The Sun Belt Conference medallions serve to distinguish student-athletes at Sun Belt member schools who have earned a bachelor's degree.
The student-athletes earned bachelor's degrees in accounting, business management, communication studies, construction science and management, criminal justice, economics, electrical engineering, exercise and sports science teaching certification and pre-rehabilitation, finance, general studies, geography urban and regional planning, health and fitness management, political science, psychology, public relations and mass communications, and recreation administration. Ishmael Davis and Joshua Rowland earned their master's degrees in interdisciplinary studies and business administration, respectively.
These winter graduates compiled school records, and combined to play on seven Sun Belt Conference championship teams; participate in two NCAA Regional Championships; were named the Sun Belt Most Outstanding Player two times; and were named the Sun Belt Championship Tournament's Most Outstanding Player twice. They also were named All-Sun Belt Conference First-Team five times, Second-Team three times, and Third-Team three times.
The student-athletes also received numerous academic honors. They collectively received five Texas State Star of Excellence Awards, named to the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner's List five times, earned 78 Bobcat Academic Excellence Awards and 22 Sun Belt Conference recognitions. They also were named to the Texas State Dean's List 22 times.
