Banquet honors graduating athletes for academic achievement

PROVO, Utah – The BYU Student Athlete Academic Center hosted its annual Graduation Banquet on Thursday, April 21, at the Hinckley Center, recognizing 94 graduating athletes for academic achievement.

Of the 94 graduating BYU student-athletes, 24 earned a 3.5 cumulative GPA or higher. Coaches and family joined the BYU administration in recognizing athletes for their accomplishments in the classroom.

“Though your time here as a student-athlete is important, it’s just a small part of why you were brought here," Trevor Wilson, director of the Student Athlete Academic Center said. "You have great things to go on and accomplish.“

Three of the graduating seniors, Makenzi Morrison Pulsipher (women’s basketball), Kyle Brown (men’s track and field) and Taysom Hill (football) also spoke as part of the program. Here is what each had to say:

"The relationships that I’ve been able to establish and the people I’ve been able to rub shoulders with while at BYU is second to none,” Hill said. “I don’t think I would have had that experience anywhere else in the country. That’s what makes this place so unique—the people that comprise and make up such a great university. I’m so grateful to have been a part of that and to continue to be a part of that and to get to know so many people at BYU.”

“Coming to BYU opened my eyes to a lot of things. I know that I came here for reasons more than just playing basketball,” Pulsipher said. ”I was able to receive a great education in addition to finding the Church.”

“I love BYU and I love being a Cougar” Brown said. “I love my team and coaches and staff and I love this place that I’ve called home for the last five years and sad that I’m going to be leaving.”