22 Fall Graduates Honored at The Tribute

BATON ROUGE— The LSU Athletics Department and the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes recognized 22 graduating student-athletes at The Tribute on Thursday night at the South Stadium Club inside Tiger Stadium.

The event is the annual commemoration of the achievements of student-athletes both on and off the field. Each graduating player is expected to walk in Friday’s various commencement exercises on campus and received a special LSU stole to signify their hard work in the classroom and in competition.

LSU Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Joe Alleva expressed his gratitude toward the student-athletes and how they helped to maintain a successful program.

“I’m so proud of you all. This is what it’s all about,” Alleva said. “Thank you for the way you have represented your school, your family and yourselves. You are tremendous people and you are tremendous role models for future generations of athletes to come, here at LSU.”

The stole, made of white fabric with purple stitching featuring the word “Student-Athlete,” the Tiger head and LSU primary logo, allows the student-athletes to stand out among their peers, while blending in with the university’s traditional purple cap and gown ensemble.

Former LSU baseball player Alex Lange, who currently plays in the Chicago Cubs organization, addressed the graduates and their families, speaking of the learning experiences presented both athletically and academically throughout the University.

“The most important thing we have received was an experience of a lifetime,” Lange said. “Growing with one another, getting to know other student-athletes and their walk and their journey here at LSU. Continuing tradition at LSU.”

“Everything is not always going to go the way you want it to go. When that challenge arises, we use what we have learned here at LSU and in our athletic careers. You only have two options: you can win or you can learn from it and that’s something we have learned here at LSU.”

Student-athletes representing 11 sports were honored at Thursday night’s event, including six from the football team, three each from baseball and soccer, two from women’s swimming & diving and men’s tennis, and one each from softball, men’s swimming & diving, men’s basketball, men’s track & field, women’s track & field and volleyball.

Assistant Vice Chancellor and Executive Director of the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student Athletes Kenneth Miles congratulated the student-athletes on their success and hard work put forth in their academics and athletics.

“You have done the unthinkable, lived the unimaginable, and now you have got another milestone in your life that will last for eternity,” Miles said.

LSU’s fall commencement exercises will be held throughout the day Friday, Dec. 15, on campus.

2017 LSU Winter Graduates

E.J. Ourso College of Business (6)
Alexis Arlitt, Soccer, Master’s in Accounting
Danielle Avery, Women’s Track & Field, Finance
John Michael Busch, Men’s Tennis, Master’s in Finance
Garrett House, Men’s Swimming & Diving, International Trade & Finance
Alex Lange, Baseball, Marketing
Sophie Weber, Women’s Swimming & Diving, Master’s in Finance

College of Human Sciences & Education (12)
Caroline Brockmeier, Soccer, Kinesiology
Justin Butsch, Men’s Tennis, Sports Administration
Will Clapp, Football, Sports Administration
Micah Dickens, Football, Sports Administration
Reshaud Henry, Football, Sports Administration
Sahvanna Jaquish, Softball, Sports Administration
Kara Kopcso, Women’s Swimming & Diving, Kinesiology
Caleb Lewis, Football, Kinesiology
Tyler Moore, Baseball, Sports Administration
Kramer Robertson, Baseball, Sports Administration
Toni Rodriguez, Volleyball, Kinesiology
Devin Voorhies, Football, Sports Administration

College Humanities & Social Sciences (3)
Brian Bridgewater, Men’s Basketball, Interdisciplinary Studies
Tinashe Mutanga, Men’s Track & Field, Interdisciplinary Studies
MJ Patterson, Football, Interdisciplinary Studies 

Manship School of Mass Communication (1)
Madeline Ramsey, Soccer, Mass Communications