Dr. Shaq

MIAMI >> Former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal is a doctor now.

O'Neal received his doctoral degree in education from Barry University alongside 1,100 other students during commencement ceremonies Saturday.

The Miami Herald reports that O'Neal got on one knee so the chair of Barry's organizational learning and leadership program could drape a light blue hood around O'Neal's more-than-7-foot frame.

O'Neal then high-fived other graduates as he made his way back to his seat along with his manager, Cynthia Atterberry, who also received a doctorate in education.

The former All-Star and MVP earned a cumulative GPA of 3.813 while completing 54 credit hours at Barry, mostly through online courses and video conferencing over the last four years. O'Neal's doctoral capstone project explored how CEOs and business leaders use humor in the workplace.

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[I'm impressed.  He must be smarter and harder-working than people give him credit for.]

Junior Seau

Former NFL star Junior Seau was found shot to death at his home Wednesday morning in what police said appeared to be a suicide. He was 43.

Police Chief Frank McCoy said Seau's girlfriend reported finding him unconscious with a gunshot wound to the chest and lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful. A gun was found near him, McCoy said.

Seau's mother appeared before reporters, weeping uncontrollably.  "I don't understand ... I'm shocked," Luisa Seau cried out.  Her son gave no indication of a problem when she spoke to him by phone earlier this week, she said.

Seau was a standout linebacker with the University of Southern California before going to the San Diego Chargers — his hometown team — whom he led to the Super Bowl following the 1994 season.

"Everyone at the Chargers is in complete shock and disbelief right now. We ask everyone to stop what they're doing and send their prayers to Junior and his family," the team said in a statement.

Seau remained with the Chargers until 2003 and went on to play with the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots before retiring after the 2009 season.

Seau spent parts of 20 seasons in the NFL, including his 1990-2002 stint with his hometown Chargers. He helped them to their only Super Bowl appearance, was voted to a team-record 12 straight Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro six times.

Andy Ganigan

Boxer Andy Ganigan, a former world champion and member of the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame, died today in Las Vegas, according to his niece, Michelle Shue. Ganigan's death comes two years after an assault in his hometown of Waipahu left him severely debilitated. He was 59.

"Since the assault his body can't fight off diseases. He never recovered," Shue said in a telephone interview with the Star-Advertiser. "His body basically just shut down after two years of fighting." She said Ganigan died with family members by his side.

Ganigan was a boxing sensation in the 1970s and 80s, with a 34-5 record, including 30 knockouts and a lightweight division championship. He was named to Ring Magazines' list of  "100 Greatest Punchers of All-Time" in 2003, 20 years after he retired.

But the last two years of his life were spent as a near-invalid after an apparently drunken and unprovoked attack on March 26, 2010.