Photo ID (l to r): Student assistant coach Kyle Beerbohm, pitcher Ryan Byrd, pitcher Louis Coleman, head coach Paul Mainieri, academic advisor Becca Hubbard, pitcher Nolan Cain, outfielder Nicholas Pontiff, equipment manager Matthew Montgomery.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Six members of the LSU baseball squad received their diplomas Friday in a special graduation ceremony held at the team hotel in Starkville. The Tigers are facing Mississippi State in a three-game SEC series and could not attend Friday’s commencement exercises on the LSU campus.
Team members receiving their degrees were pitcher Ryan Byrd (general studies), pitcher Nolan Cain (general studies), pitcher Louis Coleman (agricultural business), outfielder Nicholas Pontiff (management), student assistant coach Kyle Beerbohm (kinesiology) and equipment manager Matthew Montgomery (kinesiology).
“I am extremely proud of our six graduates for the dedication and hard work they displayed in earning their degrees,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri, who conferred the diplomas. “Most people don’t realize how difficult it is to excel in athletics while working toward graduation. It’s a phenomenal accomplishment for these guys that no one can ever take away from them.”
The ceremony included opening remarks by the team’s academic advisor, Becca Hubbard, who provided caps and gowns for Mainieri and the graduates to wear during the ceremony.
“Becca means so much to our team because of the guidance and inspiration she gives to our players,” Mainieri said. “Her dedication to their academic success is a cornerstone of our program.”
The ceremony concluded with a commencement address delivered by Pontiff, who shared a few anecdotes about his fellow graduates and told them he cherished the friendships they had formed.
Pontiff finished by saying that “the tradition of LSU Baseball was built on championships, and I look forward to creating more memories with you guys in the next month.”
LSU begins postseason play next week, and the Tigers will be seeking their second consecutive berth in the College World Series, which begins June 14 in Omaha, Neb.
