Murray State University Athletics
Student-Athletes Using Extra Eligibility To Work Towards Master’s Degree
11/2/2020 1:25:00 PM | Newsletter
The Ohio Valley Conference announced on March 12th that they would suspend athletic-related activities due to the COVID-19 public health threat. Four days later, the OVC announced the cancellation of all intercollegiate competitions, through the 2019-20 academic year.
When their seasons came to sudden halt, the student-athletes were devastated, especially the seniors who thought it was going to be their last chance at an OVC title. Everyone was sent home from campus feeling so much uncertainty.
After a two-week wait to hear a decision about receiving the year of eligibility back, the NCAA Division I Council voted to grant an extra year of eligibility to all student-athletes in spring sports whose seasons were canceled due to the COVID-19 public health threat.
Ryan Perkins, a baseball player said, "Having another year to play baseball and get my degree better, it's allowing me to open a lot more doors with baseball and with my future career."
Perkins, who received his undergraduate degree in advertising is in the Mass Communications graduate program, hoping to use his degrees to go into sales.
Women's track and field sprinter, D'Myia Thornton, is using her graduate year to obtain the 150 total credit hours required in order to sit for the CPA exam.
"I talked to the Kentucky State Accounting Board and I met all the requirements with my undergrad. My main goal is to study for the CPA exam. I want to be an accountant," said Thornton.
A bright spot to come out of the pandemic, student-athletes who had finished their bachelor's degree but still had eligibility remaining and wanting to finish their athletic careers could start working towards their Master's degrees.
Murray State Graduate Student-Athletes:
Baseball – Jordan Holly (M.B.A), Ryan Perkins (Mass Communication), Jake Slunder (M.B.A), Sam Gardner (M.B.A), Alec Whaley (Nutrition)
Football – Dallas Danner (Human Development & Leadership), Kameron Petty (Mass Communication)
Women's Golf – Lucila Puente Rodriguez de Austria (Mass Communication)
Women's Track & Field – Jessy Page (M.B.A), D'Myia Thornton (Mass Communication)
When their seasons came to sudden halt, the student-athletes were devastated, especially the seniors who thought it was going to be their last chance at an OVC title. Everyone was sent home from campus feeling so much uncertainty.
After a two-week wait to hear a decision about receiving the year of eligibility back, the NCAA Division I Council voted to grant an extra year of eligibility to all student-athletes in spring sports whose seasons were canceled due to the COVID-19 public health threat.
Ryan Perkins, a baseball player said, "Having another year to play baseball and get my degree better, it's allowing me to open a lot more doors with baseball and with my future career."
Perkins, who received his undergraduate degree in advertising is in the Mass Communications graduate program, hoping to use his degrees to go into sales.
Women's track and field sprinter, D'Myia Thornton, is using her graduate year to obtain the 150 total credit hours required in order to sit for the CPA exam.
"I talked to the Kentucky State Accounting Board and I met all the requirements with my undergrad. My main goal is to study for the CPA exam. I want to be an accountant," said Thornton.
A bright spot to come out of the pandemic, student-athletes who had finished their bachelor's degree but still had eligibility remaining and wanting to finish their athletic careers could start working towards their Master's degrees.
Murray State Graduate Student-Athletes:
Baseball – Jordan Holly (M.B.A), Ryan Perkins (Mass Communication), Jake Slunder (M.B.A), Sam Gardner (M.B.A), Alec Whaley (Nutrition)
Football – Dallas Danner (Human Development & Leadership), Kameron Petty (Mass Communication)
Women's Golf – Lucila Puente Rodriguez de Austria (Mass Communication)
Women's Track & Field – Jessy Page (M.B.A), D'Myia Thornton (Mass Communication)
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