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White House Commends Seattle
Check out this article from The Daily of the University of Washington. The White House Administration gave Seattle accolades on its leadership in biomedical studies and community sustainability.
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The Dawg Dish
Hosted by former UW quarterback Johnny DuRocher, The Dawg Dish goes behind the scenes to give viewers a different perspective on the lives and activities of Husky sports personalities. It is available for free viewing via Dawg Channel All-Access on GoHuskies.com.
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Student-Athlete Academic Services
Did you know that the UW houses the LARGEST Academic Support Staff for their student-athletes in the Pac-10, boasting of 14 staff members and 85 tutors?
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Football Leads UW Athletics With 33 Graduates
June 9, 2006 SEATTLE -- Saturday, June 10 marks the 131st commencement at the University of Washington, honoring the graduating class of 2006. Husky Stadium will be host to hordes of graduates and their family members. Among the 5,300-plus graduates are 117 student-athletes who will happily trade in their sports uniforms for caps and gowns. While football player Donny Mateaki is accustomed to being at Husky Stadium in front of large crowds, nothing will compare to the excitement and pride he will feel this Saturday when he steps onto the field turf. Mateaki, who will be a fifth-year senior for the football team in the fall, will have well over 50 relatives on hand for Saturday's ceremony, most of who will be flying into town from either Hawaii or his native Tonga. Mateaki is one of seven children and his extended family is rather large--his father is one of eight children and his mother is one of five. From his large family base, only an aunt on his mother's side has received a college degree. "It's going to be hectic," said Mateaki, before wrapping up finals. But for Mateaki, a history major who boasts above a 3.0 grade point average, being the first member of his father's side to receive a college degree is worth all the fuss. "Donny did not take the easy route," said Rob Post, an assistant director of academic counselors for the Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS). "History is a very tough major at the UW and he has a lot to be proud of." Head Football Coach Tyrone Willingham is even more proud of the fact that Donny was able to keep his focus on academics despite distraction on the football field. "Donny has had what I consider a major setback with the injury he has had in his career," said Willingham. "For him to never lose his focus on his degree and what he wanted to accomplish academically from this university, really tells the kind of story that you want to have told about student-athletes. That story is that they understand the value of an education and that through all, they are going to work to get one, which is what he has done." Mateaki will have to take one class this fall before receiving his degree, but that is standard practice for football players who complete a majority of their school work in four years but have another year of playing eligibility. All students within 12 credits of graduating are allowed to participate in commencement ceremonies. Teammate Isaiah Stanback is in the same boat as Mateaki. He will need to take one course while competing this upcoming fall for the football team. The only difference between the two and their approach to graduation is that Stanback's weekend will be lower key. "I'm not as excited as most people are," said Stanback about graduating. "As I told my dad, `It's no different than high school to me.' Four years of school and you should be done if you take care of the things you need to take care of." Thanks in large part to the guidance and assistance from SAAS, Stanback will not have to be as concerned with school in the fall. Stanback, an American Ethics Studies major, will partake in an independent study class in the fall allowing more time to focus on football. "Luckily I had Rob Post helping me out the minute I arrived on campus," said Stanback. "I always checked in with him to make sure we were on the same page as far as where I was at academically and where I wanted to be. As soon as I stepped on campus, I pretty much planned on my fifth year to be focused strictly on football." Coach Willingham thinks Stanback's early graduation will definitely help him develop as a player on the field. But Willingham, who took five years to earn his degree from Michigan State University, feels that there are more important messages to be found in his graduation. "It is a great opportunity for him to open up that window for him as a football player," said Willingham. "But still, the most impressive thing is that he is graduating in a time table that most people would say is advanced for the average student. And that is special." Stanback and Mateaki are not alone on the football team in getting the majority of their school work out of the way in four years. A total of 15 players on next year's team are either graduating on Saturday or are just a few credits short of receiving their diploma. Those 15 players will not be the only football players celebrating one last dance in the end zone on Saturday. There are 33 total current and former football players earning their degrees this year, representing the largest contingency for any sport. Not all took the easiest routes to earn their degrees. Some, like former star wide receivers Mario Bailey and Spider Gaines, earned their degrees through the continuing education program, despite finishing their playing careers in 1991 and 1978 respectively. "It's a difficult thing to come back to college," said Willingham. "These guys persevered and I think this is an amazing testament to them, and their toughness, their will, their determination and the value of a degree and coming back to get it done." Following is a complete list of Husky student-athletes eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies. From all Husky fans, faculty, family and friends... congratulations!
Baseball Men's Basketball Women's Baskeball Crew Football Men's Golf Women's Golf
Gymnastics
Softball
Men's Soccer
Swimming
Men's Tennis
Women's Tennis
Track and Field/Cross Country
Volleyball |
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