5/18- Illini Men's Basketball Seniors Participate in Commencement

Illini Mens Basketball Seniors Participate in Commencement Frazier and Jackson earn degrees Champaign, Ill.--Commencement was held on the University of Illinois campus over the weekend, and the Illinois mens basketball team had two student-athletes participate in graduation ceremonies: point guard Chester Frazier of Baltimore, Md. (recreation management) and forward C.J. Jackson of Buena Vista, Ga. (communication). The Fighting Illini basketball program has had a sterling academic record during coach Bruce Webers six-year tenure. Illinois is the only Big Ten team to receive a Public Recognition Award from the NCAA each of the last four years for having an Academic Progress Rate (APR) score ranking in the top 10 percent nationally among all mens basketball squads. Seven players have earned a total of 14 Academic All-Big Ten awards under Weber, while an Illini mens basketball player has received the Big Ten Medal of Honor four of the last five years. But the most impressive feat relates to graduates. By the end of this summer, every student-athlete that has completed his eligibility at Illinois under Weber will have earned a degree. "This is a tremendous accomplishment for Chester and C.J., as well as the other two members of our senior class who finished their degree last year in Trent Meacham and Calvin Brock." Weber said. "Its a testament to all the hard work during their years here, along with the great support theyve received through the Irwin Academic Center. We strive to have a complete program, where we can have success on the court and in the classroom. But the number one goal will remain the same: graduating our players." Illini Basketball Graduates Under Weber: Jerrance Howard (speech communication) Nick Smith (finance) Luther Head (sport management) Jack Ingram (electrical engineering) Fred Nkemdi (political science) Roger Powell (speech communication) James Augustine (sport management) Dee Brown (sport management) Marcus Arnold (speech communication) Warren Carter (community health) Rich McBride (sport management) Brian Randle (agri-finance) Calvin Brock (sport management) Trent Meacham (sport management) Shaun Pruitt (speech communication) Chester Frazier (recreation management) C.J. Jackson (communication)