Nine Student-Athletes and Assistants to Receive Degrees Friday

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - When the University of Colorado Colorado Springs confers more than 400 graduates with degrees on Friday, nine of those students will be either former student-athletes or students who contributed their services and skills to the administrative operations of the athletic department. The exercises begin at 2 p.m. at the Colorado Springs World Arena.

"It is truly a reflection of Division II athletics when most of your student athletes graduate, especially in 8 or 9 semesters," said Athletic Department Steve Kirkham. "Our department and the institution are very proud to have these young people represent us as alumni!"

The list includes former student-athletes who completed their eligibility, student assistant coaches, managers and administrative assistances. Collectively, these students were a part of four RMAC tournament appearances and one NCAA national postseason appearance.

Mountain Lion student-athletes have maintained an NCAA Academic Success Rate of 75 percent or greater in the past three years, and an ASR better than the national average in those three years. UCCS student-athletes have finished a collective grade point average of 3.00 or greater in the last 16 consecutive semesters.

Tom Saponas, a member of the UCCS Class of 1972, will deliver the commencement address. A live video stream will be available and the ceremony will be rebroadcast over Comcast Channel 20. Full details on commencement can be found at uccs.edu/commencement.