27 Student-Athletes Take Part in Commencement

December 10, 2021 | Baseball, Football, General, Men's Golf, Men's Tennis, Rowing, Softball, Track & Field, Soccer, Volleyball

More than two dozen Tennessee student-athletes celebrated their college graduation this week, participating in commencement ceremonies at Thompson-Boling Arena.

In total, 27 Vols and Lady Vols received their diplomas. That includes three student-athletes who earned Master's degrees.

Also among the newest crop of UT student-athlete graduates are four former standout performers who put their degree progress on hold to pursue careers in professionals sports. They recently re-enrolled in the SouthEast Bank Renewing Academic Commitment (RAC) Program to complete their degree requirements. This semester's RAC graduates are track & field national champion hurdler—and 2012 Olympic gold medalist—Aries Merritt (2004-06) along with baseball players Will Maddox (2012-14), A.J. Simcox (2013-15) and Andy Simunic (2007-08).

The list of degree programs completed by this collection of Tennessee grads includes Communication Studies, Finance, Kinesiology, Public Relations, Recreation & Sport Management, Supply Chain Management and other disciplines.

BASEBALL (3)
Will Maddox, Sociology (RAC)
A.J. Simcox, Marketing (RAC)
Andy Simunic, Sociology (RAC)

FOOTBALL (10)
Tanner Antonutti, Recreation & Sport Management
LaTrell Bumphus, Communication Studies
K'Rojhn Calbert, Communication Studies
Princeton Fant, Sociology
Nick Humphrey, Supply Chain Management
Theo Jackson, Communication Studies
Velus Jones Jr., Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications (Master's)
Solon Page III, Recreation & Sport Management
Alontae Taylor, Communication Studies
Cedric Tillman, Communication Studies

MEN'S GOLF (1)
Tyler Johnson, Communication Studies

ROWING (1)
Lindsey Morrissett, Recreation & Sport Management

SOCCER (2)
Wrenne French, Public Relations
Brooke Wilson, Sociology

SOFTBALL (1)
Ashley Rogers, Kinesiology

SWIMMING & DIVING (2)
Benjamin Blevins-Boor, English
Ana Celaya Hernandez, Journalism & Electronic Media

MEN'S TENNIS (1)
Joel Gamerov, Communication & Information (Master's)

TRACK & FIELD (4)
Nayoka Clunis, Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications (Master's)
Georde Goodwyn, Finance
Aries Merritt, Sport Management (RAC)
Jordan West, Kinesiology

VOLLEYBALL (2)
Ava Bell, Political Science
Raquel Perinar, Communication Studies