Spring commencements include 60 students from Athletics

Story and photos by Rob Schabert, Sports Information Director

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- There are dozens and dozens of songs celebrating success and achievement, from Kool and the Gang to Lil Wayne, from Melissa Manchester to Barry Manilow, from Shania Twain to Keith Urban.

But on Saturday, to the more than 1,000 graduates who glided across the stage in Eblen Center to accept their degree from Tennessee Tech President Dr. Philip Oldham at the University's two commencement ceremonies, the only lyrics they heard were the sound of their own names being called.

And, among that gathering were more than 60 from Athletics who completed their mission and graduated. From Kolbe Andrzejewski and Syrym Abdukhalikov, to Jud and Jala (Dillard and Harris), to K.G and G.K. (Kelsey Gray and Greg Kitts), it didn't matter whether it was in the morning or afternoon, whether the drizzle was falling or the sun was shining (it was), Saturday was a special day.

The graduating class included Tech's two sets of twin sisters (photo above right), Brittney and Chanelle Spalding from the softball team, and Kellie and Kylie Cook from the women's basketball team.

For the Golden Eagle baseball team, which is locked in a battle for the Ohio Valley Conference championship and is currently in first place while in the midst of a three-game road series at Southeast Missouri, the day didn't slide by without recognition for its three graduates. While in Cape Girardeau, Mo., the team celebrated the graduation of James Abraham, Zephan Guyear and Andy Williams (photo below/contributed by Golden Eagle baseball team).

Shown below are many of the graduates as the prepared to walk onto the floor. (Click here for a complete listing of all the graduates from Athletics).

Arturo Santa Ruiz, Tennis	Kerri Reid, Soccer
Kedrick Towles (left) and Justin Vann, Football	Nathan Livesey (left) and Adam McLeod, Cross Country
Kelsey Gray, Volleyball	Greg Kitts, Golf
Kolbe Andrzejewski, Cross Country	Jacqueline Watkins, Soccer
Seth Bruton, Marketing (left), Syrym Abdukhalikov, Tennis (center) and Jud Dillard, Basketball (right)	Lashay Davis, Basketball, and Amanda Randolph, Golf
Jala Harris, Basketball	Lee Gatts, Football Manager and SGA President
Jacob Hoot, Football	Amanda Dunham, Dance Team
Track and Cross Country, from left, Beth Miller, Kathryn Forbes, Haley Wennerstrom and Traci Jones	Athletic Training G.A. Chuck Cushman (left) and Manager John Albertson
Ben Burgess, Baseball	Lee Henry, Baseball
Soccer Grads, from left, Alex Stevenson, Andrea Meloff and Kris Cambron	Softball Grads, from left, Brittney Spalding, Claudia Harke, Melody Christian and Chanelle Spalding
Lee Maxwell, Golf	Ben Downs, Baseball
Ryan Tilghman, Football	Katie Lowery, Track & Field
Adam Hunter, Football	Michelle Decker, Soccer
Carter Crutchfield, Football	Terrell Barnes, Basketball
Tommie McBride, Football	Katherine Bell, Golf
Nick Fletcher, Football	Women's Basketball, from left, Kellie Cook, Katherine Barker and Kylie Cook