"It’s an amazing honour and the icing on the cake"
Cricketer Moeen Ali received an honorary doctorate from Coventry University.
The all-rounder, who plays for Warwickshire, was made an Honorary Doctor of Arts at a graduation ceremony at Coventry Cathedral on November 18, 2024.
The university said the honour was “in recognition of his outstanding contribution” to cricket.
After receiving the honour, Moeen said:
“It’s been an amazing day.
“I’ve really, really thoroughly enjoyed it with my wife and parents.
“It’s an amazing honour and the icing on the cake of a long career.”
The 37-year-old said he hoped he had inspired people to take up cricket.
He said: “To inspire them and give them confidence to do what they want to do. It’s a big part of my journey.
“I just tried to do the best I could but now that I’ve finished playing for England, I look and sit back and when people come up to me and say my kid plays or I play because you played and the way you played – that really for me is true success in the sport really.”
Born in Birmingham, Moeen Ali began his career with Warwickshire before moving to Worcestershire where his performances caught the eye of England selectors.
He made his national team debut in 2014.
Moeen went on to represent England in all formats and even captained the side.
His accomplishments include winning the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and the T20 World Cup in 2022.
Moeen Ali was made an OBE in 2022 for his services to cricket.
He retired from international cricket in September 2024 and he now currently captains The Hundred side Birmingham Phoenix.
On sharing the day with other students, Moeen Ali added:
“It’s special to have a day with the students who you know have worked hard and studied hard and put in the work and got rewarded today.”
“To be part of that and to share the day with them is amazing and I’m thrilled that Coventry University awarded me with this amazing honour.”
Professor John Latham CBE, Vice-Chancellor of Coventry University, said:
“Moeen’s career has taken him to the very top of the game, including having the honour of leading his country onto the field as captain.
“Those moments are experienced by just a select few and Moeen’s dedication and commitment makes him more than a worthy recipient.
“And it is for those reasons that Coventry University has welcomed Moeen to become an Honorary Doctor of Arts and we could not be prouder for him to join the university family.”
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