VALDOSTA —
After missing their scheduled commencement ceremony to participate in the NCAA Division II national semifinals against Minnesota State-Mankato, three Valdosta State football players finally earned their degrees from Valdosta State University.
Senior defensive end Tyler Josey and senior running back Theseus Jackson, along with redshirt junior quarterback Justin Roberts all participated in a special commencement ceremony in the West Hall Rotunda Monday morning.
All three players were announced in front of the close-knit audience by VSU President Dr. William J. McKinney and were given their diploma case, which are awarded to graduates of the university.
Josey and Roberts both earned degrees in business, while Jackson earned his degree in sociology.
Among those in the audience Monday were the players’ families, head coach David Dean, athletic director Herb Reinhard, members of the Valdosta State athletic department and various teammates that remained in town following the team’s arrival home from the national championship game Sunday night.
The players missed their scheduled Dec. 8 ceremony to participate in the Blazers’ 35-19 win over the Mavericks.
All three players helped the Blazers win the NCAA Division II national championship with a 35-7 win over Winston-Salem State University in Florence, Ala. on Saturday.
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Paul Leavy | Valdosta State University Valdosta State football players, and now VSU graduates, listen to VSU President Dr. William McKinney speak during their graduation ceremony held in the West Hall Rotunda Monday morning. The three missed their regularly scheduled graduation ceremony, while playing in a NCAA football playoff game against Minnesota State-Mankato Dec. 8. The Blazers won the Division II national championship on Saturday.
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Paul Leavy | Valdosta State University Valdosta State head football coach David Dean (middle) shares a laugh with the team’s three college graduates this semester, running back Theseus Jackson (far left), defensive end Tyler Josey (left middle) and quarterback Justin Roberts (right). All three players were given a special graduation commencement ceremony Monday after missing their scheduled ceremony to participate in the Division II playoffs.
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Blazers graduate
National champion football players participate in graduation ceremony
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