University of Houston Athletics
Graduating Student-Athletes honored at Senior Breakfast
5/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | General
HOUSTON - Over 60 senior student-athletes were honored Monday by their families, and Athletics staff and Corbin J. Robertson society members as they reflected on their careers and received their UH Athletics graduation stoles at the 2016 UH Athletics Senior Breakfast.
The event began with the student-athletes having breakfast with their families and senior teammates as they enter their last week in collegiate athletics. Volleyball senior Olivia O'Dell, who provided a rousing rendition of Hillsong's Oceans later in the program, found the breakfast to be a great experience for herself and other seniors.
"It's just a time to reflect on all that we have accomplished," O'Dell said. "Being here for four years, it's amazing to see what you kind of come through and all the challenges and all the good times."
While many Houston student-athletes come from all parts of Texas, across the United States, and even across the globe many families were able to make the trip to share the special moment with their college graduates. Football's Tyler McCloskey, who will receive his degree in May with one year of playing eligibility remaining, was happy to have his parents in attendance.
"It was great," McCloskey said. "That was one reason I choose Houston, so my family could be close and they could come to stuff like this. So it was really fun to have them be a part of it."
Besides the student-athletes receiving their stoles, two Houston seniors were honored with special awards. Volleyball senior Sophie Paine was presented with the Cougar Lifetime Achievement Award as she displayed cougar pride, commitment and character to the Athletics Department since her arrival to Houston from Melbourne, Australia. Paine will graduate this May with a degree in kinesiology and go on to compete with the Australian National Volleyball Team this summer.
Baseball senior Robert Grilli was presented with the Grainger Service Award for his academic leadership, his service in the community and being an ambassador for the Athletics Department. Grilli will graduate this May with a degree in Economics and was a part of the 2015 American All-Academic Team.
At the end of the event, each student-athlete was presented with a graduation stole that had the UH Athletics insignia by NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative Dr. Richard Scamell. This signified the end of a senior class that has been a part of nine conference championships, 40 NCAA postseason appearances and countless All-America awards. For O'Dell, this senior class of athletes is special to her.
"Just seeing how much everyone that has accomplished is really cool," O'Dell said. "Being a part of a senior class, knowing that you've made it through and you did your best. Being a student athlete is a really big accomplishment, so being a senior is even sweeter."
Even though their chapter as a student-athlete is at its end, some like McCloskey are still feeling there is more work to do.
"I finished my last paper last night and I turned it in and felt like I still had work to do so it's going to take some getting used to," McCloskey said.
University of Houston convocation ceremonies begin Wednesday with a university-wide commencement on Saturday at TDECU Stadium.
While these Houston student-athletes will walk across the stage this weekend, they will forever remain Cougars and will look to take advantage of opportunities provided by the "H" Association.
The "H" Association is a self-endowed, non-profit organization of varsity letter winners in NCAA-sanctioned sports sponsored by the University of Houston. Any University of Houston graduate awarded at least one varsity letter is eligible to become a member of the "H" Association. This includes former Team Managers, Cougar Dolls, Mascots, and Twirlers. For more information, please visit uhletterwinners.com.
