The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
2010 football spring graduation
05.21.2010 | Football
May 21, 2010
| Video
From NFL veterans to student-athletes with as much as two years of eligibility left to those whose family traveled great distances, even overseas, the annual celebration of graduation finds a uniqueness each year, and it did again in Spring 2010.
Current and former members of the Texas football team made the walk across the stage on Friday, and although they were in a different uniform, the success felt much the same as it does in the sport they love.
"I didn't think I'd get nervous, but I turned to Muck (Roddrick Muckelroy) when we we're getting close to our turn and said, 'I feel like its third-and-two and they just called my number!'" said former WR Kwame Cavil after the ceremony.
Cavil is a veteran of both the NFL and Canadian Football League, while Muckelroy flew to Austin on Thursday night following a mini-camp with the Cincinnati Bengals, who drafted him in the fourth round of the NFL Draft in April.
"My day has finally come, and I'm excited," Muckelroy said. "To come back on a two-hour flight to receive a diploma, it's something special, and it will make you money, because football doesn't last for long. That's what the NFL stands for - not for long. You want to be able to have something to fall back on when your playing days are over.
"For me to come here and walk across the stage and get my degree, it's a lifetime experience."
It was a moving experience for Cavil, Muckelroy and their families, and Cavil made a special dedication to his grandmother, who passed away.
"She's someone who is true to my heart, and one of the forces that got me to this point," Cavil said.
For Muckelroy, he was the first in his family to graduate from college.
"It's a big honor for us - putting the Muckelroys on the map," he laughed. "It's just a big honor. My mom and dad and brother came down, and to see them makes this experience a lot better."
Both Cavil and Muckelroy graduated with a degree in youth and community studies from the College of Education and both are considering careers in coaching and teaching. Senior DE Eddie Jones and former DB Martin Egwuagu joined them in that college's ceremonies at Gregory Gym.
Like Cavil and Muckelroy, Jones earned a degree in youth and community studies. He is now working on a double major in physical culture and sports and hopes to eventually open a center that allows children and teens to visit colleges and develop an appreciation of education.
Joining other Longhorns have had eligibility remaining when they earned their T ring, signifying a graduated lettermen, is something Jones knows can serve as an inspiration to younger players on the team.
"I think it gives them an insight to what they need to do in the classroom as well as on the field," Jones said. "If they see us going out and making our grades and graduating, I think that leads them to want to do the same thing."
Egwuagu's degree is in kinesiology with a minor in biology with intentions to become a personal trainer and sports nutritionist. He had family come all the way from their home country of Nigeria to attend the ceremony.
"My family knows the importance and how big UT is," Egwuagu said. "It's one of the largest schools in the nation. To have a member of their family graduate from here, they think it's a huge accomplishment."
Earlier in the day, senior LB Dustin Earnest participated in ceremonies at the Erwin Center with the McCombs School of Business, receiving an undergraduate degree in finance. He plans to become a certified personal accountant and eventually earn his MBA.
"I feel like it's nice to be here with everybody who has worked hard with me in all my classes," Earnest said. "It's a very happy moment, but it's not over yet. It's not like I'm going to be done with school, so I'll be continuing on with more education. It's kind of a checkpoint right now."
Completing his undergraduate degree prior to his senior year of eligibility, Earnest noted he wanted to maximize the opportunities his scholarship provides.
"I think it's a great opportunity that I can have my degree and accomplish that and be able to focus on football a little more in my senior year and still be in the graduate program."
Another Longhorn who will be pursuing a master's degree is junior RB Fozzy Whittaker, who earned his undergraduate degree in corporate communications and still has two years of eligibility remaining. He has applied to the master's programs in both advertising and sports management and will later choose between the two.
"When I came in, I just wanted to graduate, maybe on a five-year plan," Whittaker said. "As time when on, I'd just see myself progressing each semester. I talked to my advisors Mrs. (Jean) Bryant and Brian Davis, and they were critical helping me to get where I am now, being able to graduate ahead of time. My mother is very proud, and I like to make her happy, so it's great seeing her smile."
Someone else close to Whittaker will also be smiling - his brother, Curtis Whittaker, who is stationed with the Army in Afghanistan and will watch Fozzy cross the stage on video uploaded on the Internet.
"He's not here physically, but I know he's here mentally," Fozzy said.
Former DB Clark Ford also earned a corporate communications degree. Ford came full circle, joining the Longhorns as a walk-on prior to being awarded a scholarship in his senior year. On Friday, he saw the scholarship pay off.
Despite all the unique points from the day, one common theme usually holds true - happiness shared with family and friends, something summarized by Cavil.
"It was an unbelievable feeling to walk across that stage and get my degree from The University of Texas," Cavil said. "It was a lot of hard work, but the feeling of accomplishment and smiles on my family's faces were priceless."
