MEMPHIS, Tenn. – It's a spring rite of passage for college students across the nation: commencement. A time for families to see their children, brothers and sisters – and yes, even some mothers and fathers – walk proudly across the stage and receive their diplomas.
Like many colleges and universities across the country, families and friends flock to campuses to watch the annual commencements. That will be the case for much of the University of Memphis' Class of 2017 that will go through graduation ceremonies at FedExForum May 6.
However, in years past, there have been a few seniors and graduate students that have been unable to attend commencement as a result of commitments to athletic competition, primarily those student-athletes in baseball, softball and track and field.