Former University of Southern Mississippi
football star Reggie Collier, right, gets a hug
from his uncle, Robert Nance, following
graduation ceremonies Monday night at the
Forrest County Multi Purpose Center.

<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>Degree of certainty</span>

Collier finally fulfills graduation dream

By Alan Hinton
American Assistant Sports Editor

Reggie Collier threw up his arms in celebration Monday night, just like he used to do whenever the Golden Eagles scored a touchdown.

Only this time, he celebrated his graduation from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Collier, a Southern Miss quarterback in 1979-82 who finished ninth in the Heisman Trophy balloting as a junior, took a little longer to get his Bachelors of Science degree than most of the more than 1,000 graduates at two ceremonies Monday at the James Lynn Cartlidge Multi Purpose Center.

But receiving his diploma was just as important to him as any of the 42 touchdowns he ran or passed for at M.M. Roberts Stadium and other football stadiums around the country more than two decades ago.

"Finally, I've got it," the 43-year-old said cradling the USM diploma in his arms as securely as he held a football back when some of his recent classmates' parents watched him on the football field. "Nobody can take it from me. I'm one of the happiest people around."

<a href='http://hattiesburgamerican.com/news/stories/20040810/localsports/1018245.html' target='_blank'>HATTIESBURG AMERICAN: Collier receives his USM degree</a>

Quote:two ceremonies Monday at the James Lynn Cartlidge Multi Purpose Center.

when i graduated in August of 96 we did it in Reed Green. why the change?

We graduated in Reed Green as well back in '01.

safetyeagle Wrote:

Quote:two ceremonies Monday at the James Lynn Cartlidge Multi Purpose Center.

when i graduated in August of 96 we did it in Reed Green. why the change?

They are replacing the heating/air conditioning in the Coliseum. It won't be ready until later in the fall. It's a big mess right now.

RockTheRock Wrote:

safetyeagle Wrote:

Quote:two ceremonies Monday at the James Lynn Cartlidge Multi Purpose Center.

when i graduated in August of 96 we did it in Reed Green. why the change?

They are replacing the heating/air conditioning in the Coliseum. It won't be ready until later in the fall. It's a big mess right now.

ok thanks