University of Memphis Athletics
Ten Student-Athletes To Receive Diplomas At Summer Commencement Sunday
Aug 12, 2005 | General
Aug. 12, 2005
Ten University of Memphis student-athletes are set to participate in summer commencement ceremonies on Sunday, Aug. 14, pending the successful completion of exams. Commencement exercises are scheduled for Sunday at 3:00 p.m. (CT) at FedExForum. The summer session exam period concluded on Friday, Aug. 12.
Daniel Byram, Covington, Tenn./Covington HS
Daniel Byram transferred to Memphis from Lambuth College in the spring of 2003 and worked as a receiver for the Tiger offense the past two seasons (2003 and 2004). The Covington, Tenn., native saw action in two games versus Chattanooga and Tulane in the 2004 campaign. Byram is graduating with a bachelor's degree in English.
Andrew Christie/Collierville, Tenn./University of North Alabama/Collierville HS
Andrew Christie saw limited action in his two seasons on the Tiger baseball team. A transfer from North Alabama, the southpaw gave Memphis six innings of work in nine outings as a reliever in 2003-04. As a senior, the Collierville, Tenn., native held opponents to a .143 batting average. He is receiving his bachelor's degree in Management.
Jason Johnson, St. Louis, Mo./Pattonville HS
A four-year letterman on the Tiger offensive line, Jason Johnson started 11 of 12 games in 2004. He was a member of the 2004 Memphis offensive line that allowed only five sacks and helped Danny Wimprine throw for 2,892 yards and All-American DeAngelo Williams rush for 1,948 yards. The St. Louis, Mo., native played in 21 career games - missing four games with an MCL tear in 2003 - and saw action on 1,101 of 1,906 plays in his time as a Tiger. Johnson, who lettered as a tight end in 2001 and 2002, is receiving his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.
Jason Matthews, Muscle Shoals, Ala./Northeast Mississippi C.C./Muscle Shoals HS
The two-year letterwinner started all 25 games as a Tiger after transferring to Memphis from Northeast Mississippi Community College in 2003. The Muscle Shoals, Ala., native played 1,533 of 1,906 career snaps, and was a member of the 2004 offensive line that allowed only five sacks and helped Danny Wimprine throw for 2,892 yards and All-American DeAngelo Williams rush for 1,948 yards. Matthews earned his bachelor's degree in Management.
Leanne McGee, North Shields, England/Lindsey Wilson College
A member of the Lady Tiger soccer team the final three seasons, Leanne McGee transferred to Memphis from Lindsey Wilson College. The North Shields, England, native played in 55 career games, starting 51 as a defender. From her defensive backfield position, she scored seven points on two goals and three assists in her career. An All-Conference USA first team pick in 2004, McGee earned All-Central Region second team accolades from both Soccer Buzz and NSCAA. She helped lead the Lady Tigers to an 11-8 overall record and a Conference USA Tournament berth in 2004. McGee is receiving a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.
Simplice Njoya, Yaoundé, Cameroon/Duquesne University/The Masters (N.Y.) School
A transfer from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa., Simplice Njoya played his first full season with the Tigers in 2004-05. He saw action in 31 games and averaged 1.0 points and 1.1 rebounds. His best game as a Tiger came in a win over USF in which he had nine points and five boards. He scored all nine of his points in the final seven minutes on 9-of-10 free throws. He could not suit up for Memphis in 2003-04 due to NCAA transfer rules, but was able to practice with the squad. Njoya earned his bachelor's degree in International Business, and will continue to take courses at Memphis while playing his final season of collegiate basketball in 2005-06.
Lionel Pieh, Cordova, Tenn./Cordova HS
A four-year letterwinner, Lionel Pieh played 34 of 36 career games in his first three years in the Tiger secondary. The Cordova, Tenn., saw limited action due to injuries in 2004. He had two tackles in five appearances last season. For his career, Pieh had 26 total tackles (16 solo, 10 assists). Pieh, who also saw extensive duty on the Tiger special teams, is receiving his bachelor's degree in Marketing Management.
Jocelyn Raine, Sunderland, England/Lindsey Wilson College
A transfer from Lindsey Wilson College, Jocelyn Raine played her final three years of collegiate soccer at Memphis. The Sunderland, England, native played a key role on the 2004 Lady Tiger defense that set a school record for goals-against average at 1.19. She also scored five career points on two goals and one assist. Raine played in 18 of 19 games as a senior and appeared in 54 career games. She is receiving her bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.
Sebastian Vecchio/Buenos Aires, Argentina/Mid-Continent College (Ky.)
A two-year letterwinner as goalkeeper for the men's soccer team, Vecchio was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year in 2004. He captured the Tigers' season goals-against average (GAA) record with a 0.69 mark his senior year in helping the U of M win both the C-USA regular season and tournament championships. His 1.02 career GAA at Memphis also ranks first in the program's history. The Buenos Aires, Argentina, native is graduating with a degree in Marketing, and this fall, joins the Memphis women's soccer staff as an assistant coach in charge of goalkeeping.
Danny Wimprine, River Ridge, La./John T. Curtis HS
A four-year letterman who broke virtually every U of M passing and total offense record, Wimprine is the only quarterback in Memphis history to throw for more than 10,000 yards. He ranked fourth nationally with 74 career touchdown passes and was named the C-USA Offensive Player of the Week twice in his career. The MVP of the New Orleans Bowl, Wimprine is a member of the Canadian Football League's (CFL) Calgary Stampeders. He earned his degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
