Twenty-Six Student-Athletes Receive Degrees

by Press Release - Thu Dec 20 11:23:08 GMT-04:00 2007

Clemson, SC-Twenty-six student athletes, including 10 members of the Clemson football program, received academic degrees from Clemson University on Thursday during graduation ceremonies at Littlejohn Coliseum.

The list of graduates from Tommy Bowden's football program included All-America offensive linemen Barry Richardson and Chris McDuffie. Richardson's graduation was especially noteworthy because he earned his degree in health science in just three and a half years. He is the first Clemson All-America football player to graduate in just three and a half years. He also graduated from Wando High School in Mount Pleasant in just three years.

Richardson was named a first-team All-American by CollegeFootballNews.com and was a second team selection by the Walter Camp Foundation. McDuffie was a second-team All-American this year according to The Sporting News. Both McDuffie and Richardson were first-team All-ACC this year as well.

The list of graduates also included 2006 All-America offensive lineman Nathan Bennett, who returned to campus this fall to earn his degree in sport management. With Bennett's graduation it means nine of the 10 All-Americans Clemson has had under Tommy Bowden who have remained at Clemson until their senior year have earned a degree.

Other members of the 2007 Tiger team who earned degrees on Thursday were Bradley Flowers, Alex Pearson, Akeem Robinson, Chris Russell, Brian Sorrells and Kwam Williams. Pearson and Robinson also graduated in just three and a half years. Former Tiger defensive lineman Damonte McKenzie, who served as a student assistant coach with the Clemson program this year, also graduated on Thursday.

Vernon Hamilton, a four-year starter on the Clemson men's basketball team who finished his eligibility last year, earned his degree on Thursday as well.

The Clemson soccer programs had seven graduates, four by the women and three by the men. The Lady Tigers who earned degrees included Courtney Foster, Elizabeth Jobe, Kelly Schneider and Amber Funk. The men's soccer graduates were Jarrett Lewis, Mica Usry and Greg Burana. Another graduate was former Clemson All-American tennis player Jermaine Jenkins.

Clemson Student-Athletes Who Graduated on December 20, 2007

Name Sport Major

Nathan Bennett Football Sport Management

Greg Burana Men's Soccer Biological Sciences

Catie Cornett Rowing Psychology

Chris Fidrych Baseball Accounting

Bradley Flowers Football Health Science

Courtney Foster Women's Soccer Sociology

Amber Funk Women's Soccer Health Science

Vernon Hamilton Men's Basketball Sport Management

Jarmaine Jenkins Men's Tennis Management

Elizabeth Jobe Women's Soccer Animal and Veterinary Sciences