Rays manager Joe Maddon was all smiles Thursday after receiving his honorary doctor of letters degree from Lafayette College.

About 200 people attended the public on-campus ceremony in Easton, Pa., as Maddon spoke about his experiences at Lafayette - where he attended and played football and baseball before going into pro baseball - and some about his methods as a manager.

He did wear his BRayser for part of the day, and had agreed to allow the school to auction it off, though not until the end of the season.

Maddon was also the featured guest later Thursday at a private reception for about 75 people, including college trustees and staff, former classmates and family. He was awarded the degree by Lafayette president Daniel H. Weiss and chairman of the board Edward Ahart, receiving a diploma, hood and baseball
cap. (see above, photo courtesy of Lafayette College.)

There was a video greeting from Maddon's children and grandchildren, and his family presented him with a bible that his father had carried when he was in World War II.