COLUMBIA, S.C. — Four members of the LSU baseball squad received their diplomas Friday in a special graduation ceremony at the team hotel in Columbia.

Team members receiving their degrees were infielder Beau Didier (political science), infielder and Morgan Citian Grant Dozar (management), shortstop Austin Nola (sports administration), and equipment manager A.J. Million (sports administration).

Because the Tigers were facing South Carolina in a three-game Southeastern Conference series last week, the seniors couldn’t attend Friday’s commencement exercises on the LSU campus.

“This is an extremely significant accomplishment for these young men, especially to earn a degree in four years while competing as a Division I student-athlete,” LSU coach Paul Mainieri, who conferred the diplomas, said in a university news release. “Most people don’t realize how difficult it is to excel in athletics while working toward graduation. It’s a wonderful achievement that will impact them for the rest of their lives.”

The ceremony included opening remarks by the team’s academic advisor, Becca Hubbard, who provided caps and gowns for Mainieri and the graduates to wear during the ceremony.

“Becca means so much to our team because of the guidance and inspiration she gives to our players,” Mainieri said. “Her dedication to their academic success is a cornerstone of our program.”

The ceremony also included a commencement address from LSU professor Phyllis Lefeaux, who spoke of the game of baseball as a metaphor for success in life after college.

The ceremony concluded with an emotional speech delivered by Dozar, who shared a few anecdotes about his fellow graduates and told them he cherished the friendships they had formed.