The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Graduation with Fozzy Whittaker
06.07.2010 | Football
June 7, 2010
What are your feelings now that you've graduated?
It's a big accomplishment for me. When I came in, I just wanted to graduate, maybe on a five-year plan. As time when on, I'd just see myself progressing each semester. I talked to my advisors - Brian Davis and Mrs. (Jean) Bryant - and they were critical in helping me to get where I am now, being able to graduate ahead of time. It's a big accomplishment. My mother is very proud, and I like to make her happy, so it's great seeing her smile.
How much did the academic staff help?
Any resource that I needed, any type of help, any type of tutoring, anything I needed for academics, they were able to supply to me so I could make my grades and be able to graduate now. They were just great friends to me. I came in looking for someone to take me under their wing and give me some guidance, and they brought that too me.
This also means, you'll receive your T ring with two years of eligibility left, what kind of example can that be to younger players?
It's a great accomplishment just to graduate from college in general. Being able to have the T ring to show I played football and graduated is a great accomplishment and hopefully be a positive example to the young guys coming in to be able to let them know you don't have to go on a scheduled plan, you may go off course and graduate in three years, four years or five years. The main thing is to get that T ring a graduate and be a positive role model to others.
What will you do now academically?
I plan on doing a master's degree either in advertising or sports management. I've sent in my applications already and I'm hoping to get that back in the next couple of weeks, and they'll me know which course I should take.
What would you like to do with your degrees after football?
I kind of like doing what George Wynn does here (in football operations). It's still related to football, still related in athletics, but more so in the business aspect of it and handling the behind-the-scenes aspect. I want to work with possibly a professional team, whether it's football, baseball or any type of team.
How does it feel to have this in hand for whatever you do in the future?
It feels great, because I always have something I can fall back on. My mother instilled that in my head at an early age. She said maybe you get injured and end your career at a sporting event, what is it that will help you get through that time when you're no longer able to play football anymore? She instilled that in my head and I was able to take that and run with it. Having my first degree is a big step toward accomplishing that.