Who Hi. Wow. Hi. Okay. Yeah. Mm-hm. Mm-hm. Mm-hm. Mm-hm. Mm-hm. Mm-hm. Mm-hm. Mm-hm. Hello. What I wanted, what I see with the body, but now I see traces. They are one of the faces That's basically thought like low. Major. Problem is I don't really care. Felt bad. God is like absolutely. Right. Yeah. That's what I wanted. I'm going to bring a little bit about me, I guess. It sounds at least I do with my language. But my second I'm going to leave that allow me to be done previously just like I could take. My quarter pounder is bad and I like it now here and here. But I want to know what I want to withdraw money. Hello. Good evening. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Good evening. This is big scientists graduate. I say. We've been waiting a long time. Welcome to Mitchell Hall as we celebrate our student athlete graduation. I'm Scott clades can voice of the blue hands, and I'm honored to be here tonight hosting this event. This is a special, special occasion as we celebrate the athletic and academic accomplishments of all the student athletes in this room. I know these student athletes we're celebrates night had made all of you incredibly proud the last four years or five years. And there was that COVID season says sometimes six years, whatever it may be. They have studied, they have learned, practice, competed, and grown into incredible young men and women. They have accomplished so much in the classroom, in the community, and walk and competing for the blue and goal. So without further ado, let's kick off the celebration of our student athlete graduates. Please welcome to the podium. University of Delaware Director of intercollegiate athletics and recreation services. Chrissy, re-watch. Thank you, Scott. Were and do it again. Good evening. Thank you. Hello. And welcome to the class of 2022. To hear that, the class of 2020 to how cool is that? So I love this time a year. It is a moment for all of us to reflect on how much we've achieved together and recognize how special it is to be a blue one. To the parents and families and guess, all of you wonderful people here who have joined us tonight. Congratulations your support of these graduates from both near and far help them get here today. Thank you for entrusting these very special humans to us. I have the privilege of watching you compete together, winning rivalry games, team and individual CA conference titles, and competing at MCA's. You have achieved all of this while maintaining excellence in the classroom and getting back to our community. We applaud all of these accomplishments in sport, in academics, and the community. No moment, no moment makes me more proud than what we are here to celebrate tonight. Simply put, tonight epitomizes the student athlete experience. As a former student athlete, I can attest that the lessons you learned during your time here at Delaware will be ones you carry with you for the rest of your life. You will certainly experienced more challenges. Hopefully not a global pandemic. More wins, some losses. You will lead teams accomplish new goals. And the skills you have built here give you the courage. It will give you the courage to take on whatever comes your way with incredible confidence. Here is what I will remember about you. From the moment you stepped on campus, we've asked you to work towards becoming the best versions of yourselves. What you have done in turn for us is help us become the best versions of ourselves. You have established and set a standard at Delaware of expecting to win, expecting success in everything we do. You had been instrumental in the transformation of Delaware athletics. And I thank you for that. We are better because of you. So to the class of 2022, as your name is read tonight, you will rock across the strait stage, greet your coach and receive a custom compass. Custom compass engraved. This is the cool part engraved with the coordinates of the University of Delaware. We hope that when you look at this, you're reminded that Delaware is and will always be your home. This compass points you back to this special place where you developed memories and relationships that will be with you for the rest of your lives. Come back and visit, share your successes. Stay involved and engage with us, your program and each other. We still need you. So congratulations. We look forward to seeing what greatness you will undoubtedly accomplish and go hence. Thank you, Chrissy, what a great message that was from our Director of Athletics reminding you that this place will always, always be home. And now we all hope you'll keep in touch, stay engaged, and visit us often. Now, you'll get to hear from a fellow student athlete, Bridget Bergen. One of the more popular athletes, obviously, Bridget burger. Bridget is a senior member of the rowing team and graduating this year with a major in Health, Behavior Science, and minors. That's plural, public Health and professional selling and sales management. Bridget is also the programming director of the student athlete Advisory Committee. Please welcome once again to the podium. Bridget burden. If you guys don't mind real quick, I'm just going to spit out my gov, any public speaking teacher and my parents would kill me if I I spoke with governed by my good evening. You De administration, coaches, staff, friends, family, and my fellow student athletes. What an absolute honor it is to be speaking to you as our graduation festivities kickoff. My name is Bridget Bergen. I'm a senior. I'm the captain and a captain on the women's rowing team and a health behavior science major graduate, I guess now. I think I've said this to pretty much every person I've talked to in regards to the topic of graduation and leaving. That though this moment is very surreal, It feels like there hasn't even been a second to process at all. It's all moving too fast. We will each start to process this at different times. And when we do, My hope is that you will hold onto a few thoughts that I'm about to share today. The life of a student athlete is something that only a small percentage of us get to experience and can relate to. We're so fortunate to play the sport that we love at a highly competitive level for school that we are so prideful of. And with teammates who both inspire us and drive us to be the best version of ourselves. One thing is for sure, I'm so proud to be standing in front of all of you today because I know that each of you has had their own personal journey. Managing the highs and lows that come with being a student athlete. And we've reached the end of the journey together as one community. We survive the journey like no other era of UD student athletes has endured before. We are the class in which the world that we came into as first years and the world that we're living are very different. We all held on despite lost seasons and major changes. It was hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We have the utmost resilience for that truly, solely because we had to learn a new normal stemming from the pandemic as a result of COVID. However, it isn't the complete end of the journey for a handful of athletes in this room, as there exists, exists space for a fifth year or more, made that time be filled with even more excitement, opportunity and growth and jealous. Something that Leyla 10 acini, a formal, a former athletic trainer of mine, told me once, is that the process is never linear. There's no straight line up. This was in the context of recovery and progression post injury, which I know for a fact that many of us have gone through. But I have since apply this notion to every initiative, every roadblock in every performance growth is not linear. Recall the picture that I had in my mind of college level athletics when I was 17. I remember thinking about it every time I was at my kitchen table the summer after my junior year of high school, setting a college coach, an e-mail. The picture had a lot of unknown in it, but it was mostly sheer intensity and power. Very Nike commercial ask. Well, that part held true throughout the years. What I was unaware of where the several layers that came with being a college athlete and more importantly, a Delaware athlete. Going from high school sports to college sports. Suddenly we had to pay even more attention to our schoolwork, nutrition, sleep, and our rigorous everyday schedule to the hour. The meaning of identity took a whole new place in our lives more than it did in high school. When I signed my NLI, I had no idea that being an athlete here was much more than the stats I produce within my sport. The impact we have all been able to make on others, both inside the university and outside the broader community is huge. Thanks to hard work. The culture and the staff members that have taught, touched all of our lives. We learned and it took some time and humbling moments that being an athlete here is so much more than our feet touching the field or the court. I mean, guys, we raised $36 thousand at reps for kids for childhood cancer. Just because more than tripled our goal just showing up meant everything. Their kids in the Boys and Girls Club that look up to us or that we even realize at the National girls and women in sports day clinic, younger girls were able to see that it was possible that it's possible to live out their dream of playing at the collegiate level. Growth is not linear. These past few months have been exciting and rebutting, but it is important to recognize that they have also been tough for the student athlete community. Unfortunately, several college athletes have tragically taken their own lives within a small window recently because they just couldn't do it anymore. This generates fear among us. We've had to support each other through more difficult conversations and build bridges. Because we always have work to do regarding diversity, equity and inclusion as well. There's no avoiding the fact that racism is still present in our world and in our community. And while I have no doubt that driving towards change in these areas is imperative. And part of the blue hand way, even after our time here, going through the rocky path was not and is not easy. Again, growth is not linear. We are so incredibly blessed to have the spirit and values of being a blue hen. There are so many things we can contribute to our greatness. I think we can all agree that the Whitney Athletic Center has been everything and more. The opening of the Whitney came at the perfect time, just as restrictions are starting to light in a bit. And we were craving interaction and community. I think we will all miss the width very much. It is because or whack whatever Gaza that I get corrected. It is because of the resources within that. Within that we've been able to flourish academically and athletically. The experiences we've had over the past four years have made us strong. And prepared us for whatever life may throw at us. We can leave this weekend proud of what we've accomplished, small win or big win, and be ready to continue. I didn't believe, I do not believe this until I experienced it myself. But employers really are attracted to former collegiate athletes because of our motivation, discipline, and balance between competitiveness and celebrating peer successes. We're hand ready has Jen duty would say. And just because we're entering a new season of life, the next step, whatever it may be, doesn't mean we can never come back home to familiar ground, familiar faces when we need them. May we all go forth with excellence, integrity, inclusivity, and being pro AUD blueprints. Thank you. Thank you, Bridget, for that incredible and powerful message and great job cone up here and speak and give a round of applause for Bridget. And what an awesome video highlighting the remarkable accomplishments of this class of student athletes. You certainly have left your legacy here at UT. Give yourselves a round of impressive numbers on that video. I now have the pleasure of introducing tonight's keynote graduation speaker, derail green. Duro graduated from the University of Delaware in 998 with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. Doral was a four-year member of Delaware football team where he is still regarded as one of the finest defensive backs to ever play for the blue. Hence, a team captain derail led his teams to three NC double a play off tournament appearances as one of only two UD players ever to earn first team All Conference honors for three consecutive years. After graduating, derail began a career in education. He served as an elementary school teacher in the City of Wilmington, before transitioning to educational leadership roles as an assistant principal, then a principal, dwell received his Master of Education in educational leadership from Udi in 2004 and now serves as a superintendent of red clay Consolidated School District. Drl was introduced, it was inducted into the Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019, recognizing his impact on Delaware athletics as a stellar athlete and the Delaware community as a standout leader. Please welcome to the podium. Doral green. Good evening. Good evening. First, I would like to thank you the athletics athletic director, crazy robot, all of the coaches, trainers, operation staff for the opportunity to speak to you this evening. It's always gratifying to return a Udi where I develop my identity and hold my leadership skills as a student athlete, I will never take for granted the opportunity that UT Athletics provided a 17-year-old seeking direction in life academically, athletically, but most importantly, socially. Point of node. I couldn't practice on my first day because I couldn't sign my ansi WA paperwork. And that was before emails. Fax machines. I'm an OG standing up here. So my dad literally had to leave work to come assign my SEWA paper so that I could practice. But I stand before you today. First and foremost, I want to thank all of our parents, family members, you, the athletic supporters. Thank you. Thank you for the commitment, sacrifices, support, and dedication that you've shown to our student athletes, graduates seated before us, not just over the course of their time here at Delaware, but all the sacrifices that you've made taken them, the clinics, travel teams, financial sacrifices and hardships that you've made to help them reach this moment. So student athletes, before we acknowledge that, continue to acknowledge you. Let's give your family members and supporters around of applause. And now to our student athlete graduates, I have two simple yet profound words. Go hinge. The legendary Mike Singletary once said, Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play. The opportunity to play. So take a moment to think about just that analogy, the opportunity to play and what has the opportunity to play afforded you as you sit here today as graduates? A brief part of what led me to the University of Delaware or from Prince George's County, Maryland, PG County, DMV and a house. And my high school was more of a basketball high school than it was a football high school. And so we want for games over four years, over the course of my time as student in high school, one year we were actually defeat it. It'll catch you as you walk out. But one of my high school teammates had a lot of Schools recruiting him. He decided he was going to go to William and Mary. And fortunate enough for me because of my drive, my dedication and passion that I play with. Coaches saw me not only on his highlight state, but they saw me on everyone else's highlight tapes of an area because we were a defeat a team. So it was an easy team that put highlights on. But it goes by the name of Ted camps. He came down literally on a Wednesday. They pulled me out of a math class and he acts the viewing your family or have anything to do this weekend. We would love to have you up on our last official recruiting visit. And by that Sunday I was leaving what, a full ride scholarship offer my hand. So I'm always intended I'm always in debt and in thankful to the university for giving me an opportunity to be. So the opportunity to play afforded me to college degrees. It afforded me the opportunity to delete a large school district in the state of Delaware. It afforded me the opportunity to stand before you today to hopefully impart some wisdom, to share some life lessons about the blessings that being a student athlete will not only have for you now, but carry forward as you journey through life. The opportunity to play has afford to you with the following. Discipline. Being a student athlete has hopefully provide you with self-discipline. The crazy balancing act. Student athletes have to play whipping between managing workouts, practices, maintaining classes, your schedules, tutoring, and all the other aspects of life. And you gotta squeeze low part in and they're here now, right? Yes, they do. And interests they're going to turn up the night. It takes commitment and accountability to recognize what's most important, your ability to set and achieve goals. Learning discipline prepares athletes for future career, family life, especially when it comes to time management. You have a leg up on life where there are other graduates from the University of Delaware really don't have that. Especially when your son decides and you are noun in your 40s with three children, what a high school senior who's graduating, who will attend University of Delaware next year. That he wants to his goal this year was to letter enforce ports known as senior year. So managing that schedule as a result of being able to manage a schedule as a student athlete. That preparation of juggling, multitasking happens right here on this campus. Financial security. For many of you, your scholarship athletes. And you've been afforded the opportunity to leave college, would hopefully no debt or little debt. The American college student athlete that are college debt at this point is reaching $1.7 trillion. Between getting Room and Board pay for and the other amenities that you would benefit from a student athletes. Hopefully, you'll be able to move on. Again, debt-free. How many walk ones that we have here? And you walk in the room. I want to give a shout out to walk ons and acknowledge all of the walk wants to know. Because they truly have that grind passion and made the ones who bet on themselves with the hopes of earning an opportunity to have someone pay for the college, but more importantly, their ability to persevere. So I've always had a special place in my heart, especially when you see all of those stats and Championships and things that we put up there. We always have to acknowledge those through Nathalie's who chose the walk on to be apart of this winning team. What you may not realize in the moment is that you truly had a double-major. Many, if not all, prospective employers, as Bridget indicate, it, will look favorably upon the fact that you are a student athlete. Let's be clear. Not Former. You will forever be a student athlete. Your education. The reason why we're here today to celebrate you being a student athlete and your hard work and dedication is paid off because you're seated before us being conferred and earning your respective college degrees. Career, being a student athlete allows you to work with elite groups of people than not other student athletes are non-student athletes get the experience beyond the court, the field. In the water. You're able to make, the ability to socialize, to connect, to communicate, and team-building, which is instrumental, being able to work in a team. And I understand that you are in the generation, unfortunately that MY tends to 10 went out. But just know that your ability to work in a team as a student Natalie, will shine through as long as you hold true to the core values that journey in the university with. These are all traits that will help you transition into the real-world. A 100 or survey a 100 CEOs, 94% of them have either played sports and a 100 percent of them said they would hire student athlete, overnight student athlete. So where that what a badge of honor. You're all leaving UD with the tools for success, which includes courage, trustworthiness, honesty, reliability, punctuality, loyalty, integrity, respect, responsibility, accountability, diligence. And you've managed through COVID. So you've been able to demonstrate perseverance, self-control. And again, I want to give Bridget another acknowledgment, this idea of social justice and being inclusive and free from prejudice. So make sure that you do everything that you've been taught to do. But more important into hard skills and hardwire mindset that you've had as student athletes. As I lead, the largest school district in the state of Delaware with over 2600 employees, approximately 17 thousand students, and annual operating budget of $238 million. My experiences as a UT student athlete prepared me to lead. So while the confirmation of your degree will qualify you for future career endeavors is to intangibles and the memories during your time here that will forever shape your lives moving forward. While you may say you have come with the desire to win championships, you're ultimately leaving would agree. I'm just going to allow you to win in life. 1984 Olympic gold medalist gymnast Mary Lou written once said, a trophy carries dust. Memories last forever. So as you enter the transfer portable life and look to capitalize on your name, image and likeness. Don't lose sight of the memories. And the blue hand DNA that you now carry. The highs and lows and all the memories in between will shake who you are as you transition. For me, those memories included hitting the UD lottery and securing a single dorm room or freshman year. And Rodney Hall RIP routing 154 be because it's no longer there. Been inducted in 2019 UT Athletics Hall of Fame, meeting my best friends to this day, fellow blue hand you the Hall of Fame accordingly, bats. Learning how to ride a horse by taking a four credit course called horsemanship. I don't know if they still offer it. It was an intellective. We want a lot of games, 38 out of 50, several conference championships. I was a solo team captain my senior year and many other personal accolades. But ultimately it was the bonds that shared experiences that mean the most and that you'll leave here with. While no one likes losing. There are also lessons into feet and a student athletes were hardwired again to persevere. Let's take the toughest loss. And my personal career here at the University of Delaware, which was the last game, which was a semi-finals game against MIT, nice, the hero on RAM, if you in Delaware stadium, we could smell a national championship bit as make nice trailed us 21 to 20 when a final Dr. began on their 29 yard line with three minutes and 22 seconds remaining in the game. We pointed the ball tone. The final score they gain wasn't nice. Day 23, Delaware 21. My direct quote in a new genre at that time is. Gave the game away, which we did as a team. But the memories and relationships live on to this day because our quarterback was the former coach of the Chicago Bears and our current quarterback coach, or the Kansas City Chiefs and current Hall of Famer Matt Nike was able to also recognize the fact that when coded the luca in the men's lacrosse team beat number 2, rank Georgetown in a tournament. We want when both the men and women's teams got the NC double a tournament births. We want. When fellow notable blue hands such as Lana Del iodine crushes the WNBA, Joe flag WHO wins the Super Bowl. We all win. When we would go to the ice arena to get the best turkey club on campus. And I don't know if they still haven't down there. Or SeaWorld renounced figure skaters skating in there and then competing in the Olympics. That's all a part of this blue hand DNA. And when the leader of the free world are 46, President Joe Biden carries the same DNA as something to be proud of. And closing know that a student athletes Eukarya special strand of DNA that blue bled, please, excuse me. In yellow. You have been prepared to meet any challenge in achieve any goal. And like so many before you impact the world and transformational ways, whether you plan on pursuing professional career in sports or taken advantage of that additional waiver year that you've been granted. Just know you have the ability to impact the world. You had the success, the DNA, to stretch, like the unique Bird, fighting chickens that you are. So make sure you carry on and protect the flop class of 2022. Congratulations and much success, all of your future endeavors. Thank you so much for everything that you've done for us this year. You guys are such big role models to us and we're going to miss you so much next year. We've had some great times on and off the core. Some of them are higher for every singer bus home and we can't wait to see what you accomplish in the future. And congrats seniors, thank you for everything you've done for this program. It will definitely not be the same without you guys, but I cannot wait to see what the future has in store. Real Messina class are great friends, hungry. They told me a lot in terms of just, you know, how to how to carrier. So it occurs on and off the court. I learn from them on how to really deal with adversity. Those really cool to see this class deal with things going on that didn't go right way for us. Some of the things when I take the hard work, the grind, the everyday guy like we all realize how loud the season isn't being around those do is they show me the right things to do, the right path to take. I want to thank missing telling us what a loving and welcoming team feels like being a transfer student and coming in during the COVID year. This group are seen as was always super welcoming to me, made my transition here very easy. So I owe a lot to them for that. Seniors on I'm proud of us. We made it. Thank you for all the people that you brought into my life, to my family, friends, and all the coaches I've had along the way. Thank you for your constant support and never went unnoticed. I think my time in Delaware has really allowed me to grow. I've learned so much over the past five years. It makes me feel grateful. I was so blessed with the new teammates and sisters. Feel like the more teenage boy whose family I feel like I have in my life, even Apple call, it, won't always come together and just want to share bond there will never die through good times and bad. You have made me the person I am today and giving me opportunities beyond belief. I want to thank my family and coaches for supporting me through out myself while career. He hasn't always been in my corner and I couldn't have done this without you. I just wanted to thank you guys for embracing me in my last year and making it one of my favorite years. Yeah, I am excited to see where all the life lessons I learned from softball be applied to my next chapter in life. I'm also incredibly blessed, have been able to wear Delaware across my chest the last b the years though as a family and the family atmosphere stays together through all four years has really made me who I am sitting. Can't wait to see what you do out to Delaware. Thank you so much for logging. As seen with open eyes. You can never been to tell me if it wherever you guys I'll see you guys show me. I dabble, I hear you guys. So a spy here size, residual gas or erythema. Thank you. Seniors yet been the best role models and it impacted the steam so much when they see a gorilla crossbars, great teammates put above all else, just really very people and girlfriends that you guys for paving the way. For sure. Thank you seniors. Thank you, seniors. Thank you. Seniors. Love you guys. One more time for that outstanding inspirational message from derail green. And we can see from that video we just watched, each of you has had an amazing impact on the student athletes that will continue to compete for you in the future. Now, the time has come for what we all have been waiting for. Let's graduate student athletes. Ryan, Julie is Allen. Davis long. Alex, new vacuum, which Reginald Gardner, Anthony oh, Jeff. Grace Hefner. Ashley rose IN OZ. Sarah Joy, I a new Z. Elizabeth Kathleen Gable, grace. Melissa Miller. Football, drew a Nicole Anthony, pay already. Tommy walls, Anthony and tomorrow. Jonathan, Ricky, zooming yoga. Corey spool. Men's goal, roof burned. So ni use. Women's golf. Anna Ken Olsen, women's lacrosse. Did nega sweat? Madeline Mayo, Kendra Schweitzer, Molina done. Nicole, a feast or Harley telling Megan Johnson, Maria Kinsale, molly McCormick, men's lacrosse. Jedediah Raby. Tom is BB. Kevin McCormick. Peter Warren Burger. Kyle, convinced ski, rowing. Bridget Bergen. Julia Rothstein. Jessica Dobson, sterling North. Madeline Curran. Hannah Walsh. Tierney, malice. Emily Peggy. More again, Klein a hill. Men's Soccer. Ryan Joseph murders. Marco de la Bandera. Connor Fitzgerald. Jacob Andrew Steinberg, Savior. And January REXX for women's soccer. Zoe Grace Smith. Sarah Elizabeth DAP alone. Yeah. Anna, Nicole defend all. Olivia, rows and sheng. Lauren, move. Kate's Hennessy. Soft ball. Sarah Bessel, Halley, Chi Zuo, more. Brooke gland in Kaylee, Christian. Grace Rudolph. Share. Samantha Cotton spore. Shannon way he Brianna cast. Cassidy Malik. Nina Hindman. Dance team. Taylor Lee, what? Danielle valid, not a Julia Anderson. Amend Jenkins, mascot. See Suri Jackson, Joey and covariance. James Velma, men's swimming and diving. Jeb, our Ethan whole graph. Ev in custody. Justin, CEO. Samuel grassy. Eric, these women's swimming and diving, Kelsey dreamt in Alice in Gadsden. Taylor drag it ascii. Kayla bore arrow. Men's tennis, dealing dilemma. Now the LU, dollar fears Gil Heaney, Luis Molina, urea, pascal or wage maker. James Wilkinson. Women's tennis. Dominic Zui over TO add a, G. Viva Las Emily got Kuwait. Tract in feel. Jaylynn sharp. Samantha, side. C, cap URL. Dev in the horn line. Ruby Marlin, como, a far guess in Lima, Scott's Danielle Rochester, volleyball, Catherine Cerner, dress, Underwood. It just kept comment. How about one more big round of applause for these amazing soon athletes? And all they have accomplished. And a big thank you to all of you seated around our student athletes who made it tonight. I know a lot of rescheduling due to weather happens. So to make it here tonight, I know it was so important. It was so important you guys could be here. So give yourselves a round of applause. Before we wrap up this event, just one quick note, our graduates are going to proceed outside at this time and we ask that all our guests remain seated until after our student athletes are outside, we're going to take One quick picture and align them out up on the outdoor steps so as our guest to remain inside until that ends, we appreciate your cooperation. Hold on just for a few more minutes. Graduates. We are so proud of each of you and can't wait to see what you do next. Thank you all for coming this evening. Enjoy this special weekend, celebrating together. And as always, go hand.
2022 Student Athlete Graduation Celebration
From Robert Diiorio May 27, 2022
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Student Athlete Graduation Celebration for the Class of 2022
Friday, May 27, 2022
Mitchell Hall Auditorium
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