Keene State students know it’s that time of year again when the white picket fence goes up on the Fiske quad. Graduation: a time to celebrate your success and completion of college.
But for this year’s men’s lacrosse seniors, they’ll be stepping on the turf field at the Owl’s Athletic Complex instead of walking across the stage and accepting their diplomas.
The owls will be playing in the LEC Championship game, which will be taking place on May 7th, which happens to be the same day as graduation.
Senior captain, Tyler McKelvie said that the situation isn’t typically ideal. “But, at the same time the whole season we’ve been working toward the LEC Championship so no matter what it calls, what time, if it means missing graduation, we’ll figure out something else,” McKelvie said.
However, there will be a make up graduation date for all of the athletes that will be missing the ceremony.
Photo Illistration by: George Amaru/ Art Director
The alternative graduation will be held on the following Monday, head coach Mark Theriault said. The alternative graduation will be open to any sports that will be missing the original date on Saturday.
“The women’s lacrosse would be in the same boat as us because if they win this week, they play in the championship on Saturday as well,” Theriault said.
Theriault continued and said that his team is very dedicated. “They know that this has been one of their goals throughout their college career to make it to the LEC Championship and for them to find out that it’s during their graduation, I don’t think it’s that big of a deal for them,” he said.
Senior goalkeeper and captain, Alex Sharp said that he doesn’t think it’s a big deal, and that some parents have a strong opinion on it. “I think the parents care more than the students do. I don’t think mine care too much but, I can imagine they would want to go to the actual graduation,” Sharp said.
McKelvie said that his parents weren’t to keen on the idea of them missing graduation. “My parents at first were iffy about it, but at this point they were like ‘It’s your senior season you know you’re going to graduate that’s not the problem.’ They’re kind of mad that were missing it but they’re excited to see us hopefully win another LEC championship,” McKelvie said.
There are sacrifices when it comes to playing sports Theriault said. “Although I think they would like to be there and have the traditional experience with everyone else, there’s also another prize on the line that’s definitely worth the sacrifice,” Theriault said.
Shelby Iava can be contacted at siava@kscequinox.com
