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From Left--Kurt Huelsman, Marcus Johnson, Rob Lowery, Dan Fox, Head Coach Brian Gregory, Mickey Perry, Luke Hendrick and London Warren |
For Rob Lowery, graduating from the University of Dayton is a blessing considering he is only one of two members in his family to have earned a college degree.
In London Warren’s eyes, graduation fulfills a promise he made after his grandmother passed away during his sophomore year.
Graduation for Kurt Huelsman means continuing a family tradition. Huelsman becomes the fifth sibling in his family to earn a diploma from UD.
When the seven Flyer seniors -- Dan Fox, Luke Hendrick, Kurt Huelsman, Marcus Johnson, Rob Lowery, Mickey Perry and London Warren -- walk across the stage Sunday to receive their diplomas, the Class of 2010 will continue a long line of men’s basketball student-athletes to graduate from UD.
“The fact that this senior class is leaving the University of Dayton tied for the most wins all-time in this program’s rich history is a proud moment for myself, my staff, the University and the Flyer Faithful,” said head coach Brian Gregory. “But none of their achievements on the court will match the pride I will feel on Sunday as these seven men walk across that stage at UD Arena, earning their diploma. All of them have grown into great men and represented their families, our program and this community well over the last four years.”
Gregory possesses a stunning record graduating all 23 seniors during his seven-year tenure as head coach. In fact, the Flyer men's basketball program has graduated every senior but one since 1979.
Academic success has always been a pillar of success for Gregory. From his playing days at Oakland when Gregory was named an Academic All-American, his ability to teach young men the game of basketball and the game of life is one of his most noted characteristics.
“Right now on campus, we have young men of high character in our program who are dedicated to getting better and are earning their degrees,” said UD Vice President and Director of Athletics Tim Wabler during a press conference announcing Gregory’s contract extension.
Success in the classroom is the norm for the Flyer student-athletes. The UD’s men’s basketball team’s NCAA Graduation Success Rate is the best in the Atlantic 10.
As an athletic department, UD’s overall 94 percent Graduation Success Rate is second in the Atlantic 10 Conference and ties it for 22nd in the NCAA. In addition, the GSR Report shows that UD graduated 100 percent of its student-athletes that participated in women’s basketball, men’s cross country, women’s cross country/track & field, men’s golf, women’s golf, women’s rowing, women’s soccer, men’s tennis, women’s tennis and volleyball.
This year, 65 University of Dayton student-athletes will graduate this spring.
To complete a college degree these days in four years is an impressive achievement, and that's exactly what the Class of 2010 accomplished. It is an achievement made even more impressive considering the amount of time the players spent practicing, studying, training, traveling and competing as student-athletes.
