They didn't just talk the talk.
That's why 34 Marshall student/athletes will be walking the walk across the Big Sandy Superstore Arena stage at graduation to accept their diplomas today.
That is special.
Especially in light of the NCAA's renewed emphasis on graduation rates.
Those 34 graduates include five football players, four from women's basketball, four women's soccer, four swimming and diving, three baseball, three cheerleading, two men's basketball, two men's soccer, two cross country and one each in women's golf, track and field, tennis, volleyball and men's golf.
Good news, huh? But wait. There's more.
Another 14 Marshall student/athletes will graduate at the end of summer school and another 26 are on course to receive their degrees in December.
What's particularly impressive is that total of 74 graduates includes 17 football players. That strikes me as an unusually high number.
And it got even more impressive when I delved deeper into it.
For example, did you know four of the football players who are graduating today completed their course requirements in only four years? In this day and age of football being a year-around commitment, that's remarkable.
Better still, starting offensive guard Matt Altobello, defensive end/outside linebacker Ian Hoskins and tight end Matt Parkhurst will be attending graduate school next year while playing their final season.
Parkhurst, in particular, deserves recognition because he is graduating in four years with a double major -- finance and economics. Besides that, Parkhurst already has been accepted into the MBA program.
And everyone thought he was just a good blocker.
Running back Chubb Small also is on course to earn his degree in four years with a December graduation.
Then, there's linebacker Phillip Gamble who spent his first year at Marshall as an academic non-qualifier. Not only did Gamble earn that year back with his academic performance, he is scheduled to graduate in December with a degree in sports management and marketing.
That is awesome.
But guess what? I saved the best for last.
Center Brian Leggett and reserve quarterback Wesley Beardain are scheduled to receive their degrees in December. Yet, they didn't enroll until 2005.
Get out a calendar and do the math.
That means Leggett and Beardain will have finished their degree requirements in only three and a half years. That is extraordinary.
So, what is the secret to Marshall's student-athlete success?
Tara Helton.
Since she became the director of the Buck Harless Student-Athlete Program, Marshall athletes' academics have improved by leaps and honor rolls.
Helton has made a profound difference.
She should be one proud lady today.
- The annual West Virginia University caravan will travel to Huntington for a get-together at the Boston Beanery at 7 p.m. Friday. Football coach Bill Stewart, basketball coach Bob Huggins and athletic director Ed Pastilong are expected to attend.
Tickets are $50. For reservations contact Kerry Nessel at 697-6377.
Chuck Landon is a sports columnist for The Herald-Dispatch. Call him at 526-2827. E-mail him at clandon@herald-dispatch.com.
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