Photo by Pat Christman
Minnesota State softball player Ashley Jay stands with other graduates after receiving her diploma before her team's quarterfinal round game in the NCAA North Central Regional Tournament Thursday at Caswell Park in North Mankato.
NORTH MANKATO —For more than four years, seniors from teams playing in the NCAA Division II softball tournament at Caswell Park have been juggling athletics and academics.
That takes plenty of hard work, dedication and even sacrifice.
Perhaps one of the largest sacrifice of their college careers will be made this weekend.
About a dozen players from the eight teams participating in the tourney are forfeiting their graduation commencement ceremonies for a shot at the Division II softball championship.
No worries.
While they may be unable to join their fellow classmates in cap and gown, each was honored with a diploma during a special commencement ceremony on the softball diamond Thursday night.
Minnesota State University Provost Scott Olson emceed the event before a game between Minnesota State and Western Missouri.
During a brief speech, he commended the athletes for their passion for the game.
“They have that balance that we expect from our athletes,” Olson said. “This is really what Division II athletics are all about.”
The softball commencement was a great substitute for the real deal, said Ashley Jay, a Minnesota State senior.
She received a thunderous applause from her younger teammates after her name was called and she strolled toward home plate to grab a diploma.
“It’s sad I couldn’t walk,” Jay said. “But it’s neat to be walking on the softball field. That’s how I got here and that’s how I’ll leave.”
Marilynn Donoho, mother of Southwest Minnesota State University senior Jessica Donoho, traveled from Bloomington to watch her daughter play in the tournament and participate in the shortened commencement.
It was a big thrill for Marilynn, who has been coming to watch Jessica play in tournaments at Caswell Park since she was 12 years old.
“It’s so nice to have this,” Donoho said.
Courtney Reed and three of her teammates from Emporia State in Kansas donned gaps and gowns over their uniforms and tennis shoes.
Before walking onto the diamond, Reed and her friends took pictures of each other, smiled and reminisced about their glory days in college. Thursday marked the beginning of the end with both the tournament and commencement.
“It’s pretty cool that they give us the chance to come out and get our diploma,” Reed said.
But spoken like a true competitor, Reed put her options for the weekend into perspective.
“It wasn’t even a question whether to be here or there.”
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