Alec Bialosky (E11) and his graduating teammates get their sticks ready for a procession at a special commencement ceremony for the men's lacrosse team on May 20. The team missed the main commencement to play in the NCAA Championship semifinal round. - Photo by Kelvin Ma/Tufts University

Tufts men’s lacrosse team won a squeaker over Cortland State to prevail in the NCAA Division III quarterfinals. Eight seniors on the Jumbos team earned not only a trip to the semifinals in Rochester, NY, on Sunday but also their own special Tufts graduation ceremony Friday, May 20.

Since the Jumbos will missed  the May 22 ceremony, Tufts President Larry Bacow and colleagues arranged the special commencement celebration for the eight students, their friends and families– complete with caps, gowns, remarks by the president and congratulations from Tufts’ trustees.

Alec Bialosky (E11) leads his graduating teammates through a procession a special commencement ceremony for the men's lacrosse team on May 20, 2011.- Photo by Kelvin Ma/Tufts University

This is the second such early graduation ceremony that Tufts has held for its men’s lacrosse team, the 2010 champs.

“The Tufts community is excited to recognize these exceptional athletes who have worked so hard and performed so well on the lacrosse field and in the classroom,” says Bacow.  “We’re proud of everything they have accomplished, and we want to ensure that we have the chance to honor them.”