On Saturday morning, Lubbock Christian University hosted a small commencement ceremony honoring graduating LCU baseball players and golfers whose postseason schedule conflicted with the planned university undergraduate commencement ceremony.
The Chaparral baseball team will be attending the Heartland Conference tournament in Cleburne, TX the weekend of LCU’s official commencement ceremonies, May 10 and 11. The Chaps are the only Heartland Conference team ranked in the top 25, and they are the highest ranked team in Perfect Game’s NCAA Division II poll. The men’s golf team will be participating in the West/South Central NCAA Division II regional championship on that same weekend.
To honor the graduating seniors on the teams who are not able to attend the regular commencement ceremony, LCU decided to host the special event to celebrate them and their families.
“I am so grateful LCU is celebrating student athletes in this way. It really shows they care about honoring the time we spent here as students and allows our families to see and celebrate our accomplishments,” shared Nathan Dockery, senior business administration major and Chap baseball player.
President Tim Perrin and Dr. Foy Mills, LCU provost, offered congratulations to the graduating players and presented them with their diplomas in the Cardwell Welcome Center.
“It was a privilege to recognize seven of our graduating student-athletes, their families, and friends in a special commencement ceremony,” said Dr. Mills. “These seven young men will be representing LCU on the baseball field and the golf course the day their peers celebrate graduation. This was our opportunity to honor them for their exceptional work in the classroom and their success on the athletic field.”
The graduating students honored at the gathering included baseball player Ricardo R. Contreras, earning his Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Ecology and Conservation; baseball player Nathan Todd Dockery, earning his Bachelor of Business Administration; baseball player James Austin Hardberger, earning his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting; baseball player Braden Christopher Hayward, earning his Bachelor of Business Administration; baseball player Reagan Duane Lucia, earning his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting as an Honors College Graduate, Summa Cum Laude; golfer Cambel Barnett Toombs, earning his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance; and golfer Tanner Blake Thompson, earning his Bachelor of Business Administration.
The Chaparrals hope to add to the year’s successes, with each team poised for playoff runs. For more information, visit the LCU Athletics website for Chaparral Sports start times, statistics, and public broadcasting.