Reluctant academic finally says yes
Rugby legend Liam Messam turned down the offer of an honorary degree from Wintec three times before finally saying yes.
Messam and comedian Te Radar were both awarded masters for their contribution and commitment to sport and media respectively at Wintec last night.
But the 2017 Chiefs captain didn’t think he deserved it when he saw the list of past recipients including Sir Colin Meads.
“Everyone is pretty much a sir on there and I was like ‘Nope, I’m not going to get it’. I still feel a little embarrassed coming here today when all I do for a living is smack some blokes around and get smacked around myself. But very humbled and honoured to receive this,” Messam said.
The 33-year-old first started studying sport and exercise science at Wintec in 2003 when he was playing for the Sevens. About six months into the course he was asked to leave because of poor attendance due to rugby commitments.
But 14 years on he has received the Master of Science (Sport and Exercise Science).
Messam was first offered the honour in March and said it wasn’t until he spoke to family and good friends about it that he changed his mind. Chiefs teammate Stephen Donald was a “bit bitter” because it took him 15 years to complete his.
Messam is heading back to Japan tomorrow to finish his contract with Toshiba Brave Lupus and will return in January to play for the Chiefs.
Meanwhile comedian Te Radar, also known as Andrew Lumsden, said there was no way he was going to turn down a Master of Arts.
“I might not get offered it again . . . I’m still not convinced they are not pranking us.”
The joker missed his first graduation in 1991 for a BA majoring in Philosophy at the University of Otago because he did not believe he had passed.