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Fred Taylor, Brandon Spikes among 99 Gators graduating this weekend

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•05/04/24•

ZachAbolverdi

Fred-Taylor-Florida-Gators
Kan Li Photo

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A total of 99 Gators are graduating this weekend, including 20 former athletes finishing their degrees. That group features UF Athletic Hall of Fame running back Fred Tayor.

Taylor will complete his Sociology degree after leaving school 26 years ago for 13-year NFL career. He spoke with Scott Carter of FloridaGators.com about the driving force behind returning to college.

After declaring the 1998 NFL Draft, Taylor promised his grandmother, Rosetta Lusane, that he would come back to UF and graduate. Before she passed on Oct. 31, he visited her that month and shared the news.

“She did smile after I said it,” Taylor said of his grandmother, who was battling dementia and served as his primary caretaker growing up. “Always in the back of my mind, I knew I had promised my grandmother that I would get it done.”

Taylor is one of three UF Athletic Hall of Fame members graduating this weekend, along with Dudley Hart and Brandon Spikes. Other notable Gators grads include Grant Holloway, Mike Rivera, Trinity Thomas and Parker Valby.

The 13 former and current players from the football program include NFL running back Dameon Pierce and starting quarterback Graham Mertz. Check out the full list of Gators athletes earning their degrees this weekend.

99 Gators graduating

2024 University of Florida Student-Athlete Spring Graduates
NameSportDegree
Mike RiveraBaseballAnthropology
Michael RobertsonBaseballBusiness Administration
Ryan SlaterBaseballSport Management
Leilani CorreaWomen’s BasketballEducation Sciences
Kenny AnyaehieFootballEducation Sciences
Carlson JosephFootballEducation Sciences
Jalen KimberFootballEducation Sciences
Graham MertzFootballEducation Sciences
Mannie NunneryFootballEducation Sciences
Dameon PierceFootballEducation Sciences
Ethan PounceyFootballSport Management
Taylor SpiertoFootballEconomics
Brandon SpikesFootballAnthropology
Fred TaylorFootballSociology
Ethan WilsonFootballBusiness Administration
Derek WingoFootballEducation Sciences
Dudley HartMen’s GolfHistory
Tyler WilkesMen’s GolfEducation Sciences
Maisie FillerWomen’s GolfPolitical Science
Jackie LucenaWomen’s GolfSociology
Taylor RobertsWomen’s GolfEducation Sciences
Chloi ClarkGymnasticsSport Management
Brianna EdwardsGymnasticsPsychology
Ellie LazzariGymnasticsPsychology
Michala MageeGymnasticsJournalism – Sports & Media
Trinity ThomasGymnasticsMaster’s – Entrepreneurship
Ashley GonzalezLacrosseAdvertising
Maggi HallLacrosseSociology
Liz HarrisonLacrosseMarketing
Emily LortzLacrosseApplied Physiology & Kinesiology
Jackie NorsworthyLacrosseTelecommunication
Bella PalagoniaLacrosseAdvertising
Emma PancioccoLacrossePublic Health
Danielle PavinelliLacrosseHealth Education & Behavior
Kelly SchluederbergLacrossePolitical Science
Madison WatersLacrosseEconomics
Anna DeLeonSoccerMarketing
Julianne LeskauskasSoccerEducation Sciences
Emily YapleSoccerMaster’s – Sport Management
Amro Al-WirMen’s SwimmingAstrophysics
Skip DonaldMen’s DivingEducation Sciences
Mateusz DubasMen’s SwimmingArchitecture
Eric FrieseMen’s SwimmingManagement
Advait PageMen’s SwimmingSport Management
Brendan PeacockMen’s SwimmingCriminology
Anton SvirskyiMen’s DivingBiomedical Engineering
Maha AmerWomen’s DivingMaster’s – Medical Science
Anna AuldWomen’s SwimmingTourism, Hospitality & Event Management
Elise BauerWomen’s SwimmingHealth Education & Behavior
Kenady BeilWomen’s SwimmingLandscape Architecture
Bettina BoszormenyiWomen’s SwimmingMaster’s – Sport Management
Leah DeGeorgeWomen’s SwimmingBiology
Kelly FertelWomen’s SwimmingMaster’s – Health Education and Behavior
Autumn FinkeWomen’s SwimmingJuris Doctorate
Isabel IveyWomen’s SwimmingMaster’s – Management
Madison KolessarWomen’s SwimmingNature Resource Conservation
Carina LumiaWomen’s DivingHealth Sciences
Tylor MathieuWomen’s SwimmingPsychology
Chade NersicioWomen’s SwimmingMedia Production, Management, & Tech
Caroline PagacWomen’s DivingEnglish and Psychology
Amanda RayWomen’s SwimmingBiology
Carly SchwabWomen’s SwimmingHealth Education & Behavior
Nate BonettoMen’s TennisEconomics
Sara DahlstromWomen’s TennisPublic Relations
Zach GodboldMen’s Track & FieldCriminology
Grant HollowayMen’s Track & FieldEducation Sciences
Joshua KingMen’s Track & FieldApplied Physiology & Kinesiology
Jadon MadduxMen’s Track & FieldApplied Physiology & Kinesiology
Alissa BraxtonWomen’s Track & FieldGraphic Design
Claire BryantWomen’s Track & FieldAdvertising
Imani CarothersWomen’s Track & FieldMaster’s – Criminology
Ashley KlingenbergWomen’s Track & FieldSport Management
Kathryn NohillyWomen’s Track & FieldMaster’s – Mass Communication
Rylee PustilnikWomen’s Track & FieldAnimal Sciences
Jordan ShapiroWomen’s Track & FieldSport Management
Emma SolisWomen’s Track & FieldApplied Physiology & Kinesiology
Parker ValbyWomen’s Track & FieldSport Management
Elli McKissockVolleyballTelecommunication
Sofia VictoriaVolleyballEducation Sciences
Certificates
Albert ArmandoBaseballSport Management UG Certificate
Tanner GarrisonBaseballNonprofit Leadership GR Certificate
Jaylen GuyBaseballSport Management UG Certificate
Blake PurnellBaseballSport Event Management GR Certificate
Dale ThomasBaseballNonprofit Leadership GR Certificate
Alex KlastskyMen’s BasketballArtificial Intelligence UG Certificate
Julian RishwainMen’s BasketballSport Management UG Certificate
Tyreik NorwoodFootballFamily, Youth & Sciences GR Certificate
John DuBoisMen’s GolfSport Management UG Certificate
Paisley EaganLacrosseSports & Entertainment Law UG Certificate
Baylee GoddardSoftballSport Management UG Certificate
Avery GoelzSoftballSport Management UG Certificate
Kai ChangMen’s Track & FieldSport Management UG Certificate
Oliver ThornerMen’s Track & FieldSport Management UG Certificate
Flomena AsekolWomen’s Track & FieldSport Management UG Certificate
Amelia Mazza-DownieWomen’s Track & FieldSport Management UG Certificate
Grace StarkWomen’s Track & FieldSport Management UG Certificate
Elise ThornerWomen’s Track & FieldSport Management UG Certificate
Vanessa WatsonWomen’s Track & FieldSport Management UG Certificate
Melanie WelsingWomen’s Track & FieldSport Management UG Certificate

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