Academic success has long been a pillar of pride within the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga athletics department.  Recent records show that the Mocs have gone eight consecutive semesters with a 3.0 GPA, but our tradition of getting the job done in the classroom is seen throughout our history. 

This was on full display this weekend when both individuals chosen to deliver the 251^st Commencement addresses were former UTC men's basketball student-athletes. 

It is not uncommon for a successful graduate of UTC to come back and deliver the address to the newest graduates.  However, the fact both were former student-athletes shows the type of individuals who have come through our program over the years. 
Herbert "Book" McCray was a four-year letter winner for the Mocs and a key senior leader on the 1977 NCAA Division II National Championship team.  McCray addressed the UTC Graduate School ceremony on Friday, May 4.

Tom Losh was also a four-year standout for the Mocs, leading the 1971 squad in scoring. That team set a then-school-record with 18 wins (18-5) for head coach Leon Ford. Losh was the featured speaker at both undergraduate Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 5. 

"Tom and Book are celebrated alums and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the messages they gave our students," stated Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Mark Wharton.  "They helped to set a standard that all of our student-athletes strive to live up to as representatives of our University."

Mark Wiedmer of the Times Free Press had an outstanding column in Sunday's edition that recapped their speeches.  You can find that article on their website or by clicking here. 

McCray earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in education at UTC and served in the Hamilton County School System for 26 years, 11 as a classroom teacher and coach and 15 as an administrator.

Even after retiring from the school system in 2009, Book didn't stop helping young people. In 1993, he gathered girls and boys for a citywide basketball league, which grew into the Chattanooga Basketball Foundation and the Independent Youth Services Foundation.

The organization's goal is to teach life skills to boys through male mentoring, academic motivation and healthy living. With Book still serving as president, the foundation now works with more than 180 children in various elementary, middle and high schools and community centers in Chattanooga.

"I was honored and very thankful that UTC thought enough to ask me to speak," said McCray during the week leading into graduation.  "Reflecting back on 45 years from my first experience stepping on campus as a freshman, Coach Shumate walking me up the hill to get registered at Hooper-Race.  He said I could have a good career if you keep your nose clean and treat people right."

"That has been how I have tried to operate since then."   

Losh came to the University of Chattanooga, where he earned a degree in Secondary Education and Biology.  He stayed at UTC after graduation, hired as the head baseball coach and assistant basketball coach until 1976, when he took the job as head basketball coach at Cleveland State Community College.

Tom returned to UTC in 1995 to serve as the Assistant Dean and Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Development, a job he held until 2002, when he moved to Bradley Central High School as its principal.

He retired in 2009 and later he and his son Nick created Losh Holdings, a construction and management firm.

Tom has remained an active volunteer in Chattanooga, serving on several boards, including the Boys and Girls Club, United Way, Ridgedale Baptist Church and the Chattanooga Area Sports Hall of Fame. 

But much of his volunteer work has been focused on UTC. Among other roles, he has served as President of the UTC C-club, President of the UTC Alumni Board and as a member the UC Foundation and the Chancellor's Round table. In 2014 and 2015, he was National President of the University of Tennessee Alumni Association.

"First of all, for a first-generation college student, I didn't really know how to prepare and how to approach the college experience," explained Losh when asked about the impact the basketball program had on his success.  "I am gracious and thankful there were support groups of coaches, staff and faculty to help me along the way.  

"I could not have done it on my own.  To begin with Athletics was a big support group.  Second, it gave me a way to pay for it from an economic standpoint.  I was hoping to get in college, but now my kids just wanted to know where they were going to go.  It changed my family in one generation." 

Based on the foundation set by these two individuals, and the recent academic and athletic success of our student-athletes, our bet is you will see more former Mocs worthy to be invited back as commencement speakers.