LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Often celebrated for their on-field performances, a group of Cardinals received recognition for their off-the-field achievements.

A total of 99 former or current University of Louisville student-athletes and managers earned their degrees between the summer and fall commencements this year.

“We take great pride in our student-athletes' academic achievements,” Interim Director of Athletics Vince Tyra said. “They put tremendous effort and focus into their athletics endeavors, but this shows they are as equally determined to succeed in the classroom. I also want to commend our academic services staff for providing the support and resources in helping these student-athletes reach their ultimate goals.”

Of that group, 10 football players on this year's team will be participating in the TaxSlayer Bowl with their degrees in hand. Javonte Bagley, Reggie Bonnafon, Henry Famurewa, Lukayus McNeil, Traveon Samuel, Charles Standberry, Trumaine Washington, and Malik Williams each received their diplomas this fall, while James Hearns and Tyler Polston graduated in the summer.

Five more student-athletes head into the new year, either completing their winter seasons or beginning their spring campaigns, with their diplomas: women's basketball's Arica Carter, rowing's Erin Enk, softball's Nicole Pufahl, and track and field's Damar Robinson and Emmonnie Henderson.

Former student-athletes Adrian Cann, Pedro Coutinho, Joao De Lucca, Dominque Dishman, Kevin Mumphrey, and Bilal Powell, who plays for the National Football League's New York Jets, returned to UofL to finish their degrees. Each is a product of the Cardinal Degree Completion program, established to assist returning student-athletes that exhausted their athletic scholarship eligibility, with the costs of full or part-time tuition and books associated with completing their degree.

UofL student-athletes, entering the 2017-18 academic year, combined for a record 86 percent graduation rate in the Graduation Success Rate (GSR) Report, which was developed 13 years ago to account for transfers into the university that graduate and those who leave in good academic standing.