As the 2009-10 academic year comes to a close, so do the college athletic careers of the class of 2010. Last night senior student-athletes gathered in the Frank McGuire Room at Colonial Life Arena for their Senior Dessert and Ring Ceremony.
The student-athletes spent the first part of the evening sitting at tables eating their ice cream and discussing their college careers, favorite college moments and future plans.
"It's always really fun to hang out with my senior girls," equestrian Carly Babcock said. "I'm really excited to celebrate the last four years we've had together."
Senior pole vaulter Vica Shobe talked about how the senior ring ceremony represents one more step toward graduation, but went on to say how much she will miss her teammates and her college team experiences.
"I want to go on with track, and I want to continue to pole vault," Shobe said. "You don't get the close-knit feeling when you are running professionally like you do on a college team."
Several of the student-athletes mentioned that in their years as Gamecocks they were able to make South Carolina their home. Being a student-athlete for the last four years has created a bond and family-like mentality among the student-athletes that they know they will always be able to return to. Their friends and teammates that sat beside them last night will still be their friends and teammates in the years to come.
Athletics Director Eric Hyman opened the senior ring ceremony by pointing out that receiving a senior ring marks the culmination of a long journey. The senior ring for student-athletes is a gift of appreciation from the University, a thank you for contributing to the athletic program and working so hard for the University of South Carolina.
"The reason we give them rings is because we are so proud of the way they have represented the University," Hyman said after the ceremony. "Obviously they come in here very young, and they leave as young women and young men. It's so exciting to see them finish up and to be so close to graduation".
Student-athletes listened intently as Hyman, W.J. Jordan, President of the South Carolina Association of Letterman, Aaron Lucas, Assistant Director for the Gamecock Club, and Moe Brown, senior football player all spoke and offered appreciation and advice to the graduating student-athletes.
After the ceremony Brown said, "The ring ceremony was great. It was marking the end of a great career here. It's kind of a bittersweet feeling. Bitter in that I don't want to leave because these have been some of the best four years of my life and probably will be the best four years of my life. The sweet part is you're about to close that chapter and move on to the next one. Being a competitor you always want to see the next challenge. I'm looking forward to it."
All of the student-athletes shared Brown's feelings as they closed the chapter of collegiate athletics in their lives. Everyone admired their rings as they posed for a final picture together as a senior class and left as a close-knit group of friends, knowing that they will always be able to look at their rings and appreciate the journey that led them to wear the Garnet and Black and call the University of South Carolina their home.
The student-athletes spent the first part of the evening sitting at tables eating their ice cream and discussing their college careers, favorite college moments and future plans.
"It's always really fun to hang out with my senior girls," equestrian Carly Babcock said. "I'm really excited to celebrate the last four years we've had together."
Senior pole vaulter Vica Shobe talked about how the senior ring ceremony represents one more step toward graduation, but went on to say how much she will miss her teammates and her college team experiences.
"I want to go on with track, and I want to continue to pole vault," Shobe said. "You don't get the close-knit feeling when you are running professionally like you do on a college team."
Several of the student-athletes mentioned that in their years as Gamecocks they were able to make South Carolina their home. Being a student-athlete for the last four years has created a bond and family-like mentality among the student-athletes that they know they will always be able to return to. Their friends and teammates that sat beside them last night will still be their friends and teammates in the years to come.
Athletics Director Eric Hyman opened the senior ring ceremony by pointing out that receiving a senior ring marks the culmination of a long journey. The senior ring for student-athletes is a gift of appreciation from the University, a thank you for contributing to the athletic program and working so hard for the University of South Carolina.
"The reason we give them rings is because we are so proud of the way they have represented the University," Hyman said after the ceremony. "Obviously they come in here very young, and they leave as young women and young men. It's so exciting to see them finish up and to be so close to graduation".
Student-athletes listened intently as Hyman, W.J. Jordan, President of the South Carolina Association of Letterman, Aaron Lucas, Assistant Director for the Gamecock Club, and Moe Brown, senior football player all spoke and offered appreciation and advice to the graduating student-athletes.
After the ceremony Brown said, "The ring ceremony was great. It was marking the end of a great career here. It's kind of a bittersweet feeling. Bitter in that I don't want to leave because these have been some of the best four years of my life and probably will be the best four years of my life. The sweet part is you're about to close that chapter and move on to the next one. Being a competitor you always want to see the next challenge. I'm looking forward to it."
All of the student-athletes shared Brown's feelings as they closed the chapter of collegiate athletics in their lives. Everyone admired their rings as they posed for a final picture together as a senior class and left as a close-knit group of friends, knowing that they will always be able to look at their rings and appreciate the journey that led them to wear the Garnet and Black and call the University of South Carolina their home.
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