Honorary Doctorate for Toseland

James Toseland is undoubtedly one of the biggest champions of Motorsport of our time and he’s used to crowds of people cheering him for yet another victory. This week, however, Toseland was met with a rather different reception, a reception of clapping people wearing cloaks and funny hats. No, he’s not an extra for the next Harry Potter film; he received an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University. Taking pride of place on a very different podium, Toseland spoke to graduates about his success, starting out as a Yorkshire lad and zooming to the heights of motorcycling success. Toseland went from being a Doncaster-born boy who learnt to ride a boke on the coal spoil pits close to his home to being the youngest ever World Superbike Champion in 2004 aged just 23. Next year he’ll form part of the factory Yamaha team after two years in MotoGP. The world champion addressed his audience and said: “To be here and recognised by the city and Sheffield Hallam is possibly the most humbling thing I’ve ever received. “It’s a great honour and the icing on the cake for me after winning two championships and hopefully another next year.” Toseland joins poet Simon Armitage and Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker as esteemed citizens who received Honorary Doctorates at Sheffield Hallam University this year. Read article

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