Stephanie Gross

Lacrosse team celebrates Finals a day late

By Dan Heuchert

There was still a little pomp and circumstance left over on the morning after graduation.

As Lawn residents moved out and Facilities Management staff continued the clean-up from Sunday's big scene, 12 lacrosse players and their female manager received their degrees in a special ceremony in Old Cabell Hall. Ten received degrees, while three others will complete their requirements in the fall. The rite came complete with orange and blue balloons, faculty members in full academic regalia and proud, camera-wielding parents.

The lacrosse team, the defending national champions, missed the larger ceremony to participate in an NCAA quarterfinal game in Baltimore. The Cavaliers defeated Duke, 10-9, on graduate Drew McKnight's goal with less than three minutes to play. They face Princeton in Saturday's semifinal round.

The Monday ceremony was first held in 1991, a "very impromptu" affair to honor the national champion women's lacrosse team, said Craig Littlepage, associate director of athletics.