Grothe Going Out in Style

Posted Dec 11, 2009 by Scott Carter

Updated Dec 11, 2009 at 09:15 PM

One of the most popular student-athletes in USF history—senior QB Matt Grothe—heads a class of seven USF football players earning their degrees on Saturday during graduation ceremonies.

On Monday, Grothe will receive the Distinguished Service Award from USF Polytechnic in Lakeland. Grothe is a Lakeland native and is being honored not only for his accomplishments on the field, but his role as the face of the football program during the past four years.

“Matt hasn’t spent a lot of time on our campus, and he hasn’t bought us a new building,” says Dr. Marshall Goodman, VP and CEO of USF Polytechnic. “What he’s done, however, is help to connect our region with the USF system in ways that simply weren’t done before he became a Bull. Before Matt, I think our community’s connection to ‘the upstart program in Tampa’ was a lot less obvious. But after Matt, there’s no doubt that we see a real sense of ownership of the team and of the brand. His impact is unmistakable.”

Delbert Alvarado, Colby Erskin, Aaron Harris, Kenneth Luberice, Moise Plancher and Aston Samuels are the six other football players graduating.

Overall, students from 10 teams and two spirit squads will participate in commencement: Jordan McGillis (baseball), Gennifer Mendez (women’s golf), Jessica Sweeting (women’s tennis), Francisco Aristeguieta (men’s soccer), Alessando Bianchi-Mattio (men’s soccer), Giselle Moya (sailing), Kaneile Thomas (women’s soccer), Errol Blackmon (track), Glenn Fowler (track), Ashley Grigsby (track & cross country), Jacquelynn Ralston (Sun Dolls), Jenilee Shaw (cheer) and Sydney Wamsley (Sun Dolls) and Brandon Smith (baseball).