Black Athletes in the Spotlight: HBCU Sports & Local Highlights
- Student-athletes balanced Division II competition with academic excellence, representing Savannah State University athletics and pride on The Marsh.
- Graduates have lasting memories of SIAC championships, NCAA Division II tournaments, and single-season record-breaking teams.
- Academic honors included seven Cum Laude, three Magna Cum Laude, and three Summa Cum Laude recipients.
- Former football players Darrian Bell and Christopher Murray earned MBAs; Antonio McKnight, II earned a Master of Public Administration.
- Follow SSU Athletics on social media at @SavStateTigers and online at ssuathletics.com for complete coverage.
SAVANNAH, Ga.- Fifty-seven (57) current and former Savannah State University student-athletes received their degrees as part of the institution’s spring commencement on Friday, May 8, recognizing spring graduates completing bachelor’s and master’s degree requirements.
The 57 student-athletes were among the 400+ SSU graduates in the university’s 208th Commencement, which was held at EnMarket Arena in downtown Savannah.
The featured speaker was Dr. Deretta Cole Rhodes, Executive Vice president and chief Culture Officer with the Atlanta Braves.
By receiving their degrees, these student-athletes are closing one chapter of their collegiate journey and stepping forward into the next with the same determination that defined their time on The Marsh.
Representing multiple programs across Tigers and Lady Tigers Athletics, these graduates have balanced the rigors of Division II competition with the demands of academic excellence, demonstrating a commitment that reflects the core values of Savannah State University.
The new SSU alumni have lasting memories of playing and winning SIAC Championships, competing in NCAA Division II tournaments and being a part of single season record breaking teams.
This year’s graduating class includes three student-athletes who earned their master’s degrees while 53 graduated with a undergraduate degree and one with an associate’s degree.
Seven graduated Cum Laude, three graduated Magna Cum Laude and three earned Summa Cum Laude status.
Earning their post graduate degrees were former SSU football players Darrian Bell, Christopher Murray and Antonio McKnight, II.
Bell and Murray graduated with a Master of Business Administration while McKnight earned his Master of Public Administration.
FOOTBALL
Darrian Bell- Master of Business Administration
Christopher Murray- Master of Business Administration
Antonio McKnight, II- Master of Public Administration
Josiah Benson- Management
Ahlik Booker- Management
Khristian Clark- Management
Evan Guyton- Management
Christian Hubbard- Management
Emari Napper- Management
Elijah Stephens- Management***
Tavare Brewton- Marketing
Gary Davis, Jr.- Marketing
Zyaire Williams- Marketing*
Ameer Phillips- Electrical Engineering Technology**
Larry Williams, III- Civil Engineering Technology
Randall Moss- Mass Communications
Christian Hampton- Biology
Fredrick Sutton, Jr.- Biology
Austin Williams- Biology*
Joseph Hampton- Chemistry
Marco Fugar- Criminal Justice
Bryan Mots- Interdisciplinary Studies
SOFTBALL
Ambria Guye- Marketing
Zarria Smith- Biology
Madison Starling-Martin- Biology***
Neveah Ford- Criminal Justice
Phaedra Smith- Criminal Justice*
Daxne Carrera- Forensic Science
Ansley Hudson- Sociology*
Ziahya Griffin- Mathematics Education**
BASEBALL
Jan’i Belcher- Marketing
Julian Grier- Marketing
Chandler Hicks- Marketing
Skyler Eafford- Managemnt
Tra’Vonte Williams- Computer Science Technology
Addrian McNeal- Mass Communications
WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD
Taylor Cooper- Computer Information Systems, Logistics, And Supply Chain
Olivia Hill- Civil Engineering Technology
Anyiah McDaniel- Computer Science Technology
A’mijya Dudley- Biology
Jeainna Bryant- Criminal Justice
Teauna Thomas- Forensic Science
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Corde’ Jenkins- Management
Zion Davis- Computer Science Technology
Kelvin Cochran, Jr.- Associate of Science**
Randall Moss- Mass Communications
Warner Davis- Biology***
Chandler Wilson- Political Science
MEN’S TRACK & FIELD
Evan Guyton- Management
Yastremski Johnson- Civil Engineering Technology
Clint Loyd- Electrical Engineering Technology*
Nehemiah Shanks- Electrical Engineering Technology
Jarius King- Mass Communications
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
K’lya Hankerson- Management
Amani Hamilton- Sociology
VOLLEYBALL
Aaliyah Saunders- Management*
Jasmine Nettles- Mechanical Engineering Technology
TENNIS
Chazmin Yokley- Accounting
WOMEN’S GOLF
Angela Dodson- Biology*
*** Summa Cum Laude
**Magna Cum Laude
*Cum Laude
Stay Connected
For complete coverage of Savannah State University Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media @SavStateTigers on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Formerly Known As Twitter), or visit the official online home of SSU Athletics at http://ssuathletics.com.
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