Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Out of all the term papers, research reports, and lecture critiques that I have had to complete in my college career, this by far and away the hardest task that I have been asked to do.  When I first arrived on campus four years ago, I had no idea how much Saint Mary’s University was going to change my life.  The countless memories and friendships that I have made over the years are unforgettable and will last a lifetime.  Being given the opportunity to wear the cardinal red and white for the Saint Mary’s baseball team and follow in the footsteps of Matt Rink, Tony Cicalello, Jerry Hoffman, and yes even you Dad, is a tremendous honor that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

First, I would like to thank my family.  The love, support and encouragement that you have given me throughout my life has been more than I could have ever asked for.  To my parents, some how some way you have never failed to provide me with the resources necessary to live my dreams and achieve my goals.  With the thousands of miles you have logged to watch me play baseball, there is no doubt who my number one fans are.  Mom, you were always the first one to greet me with a hug after my youth baseball games, and fifteen years later you are still the one waiting outside the dugout after games for that same hug.  You have taught me the meaning of hard work, determination and what it takes to be a successful leader. I can only hope that one day I can use these traits as well as you have to get me to where I want to be in life.  Dad, I don’t know where to begin.  You were my first baseball coach and the one who taught me to play this game with passion.  Although you were undoubtedly the hardest on me out of any of the other players on the team, I now know why you expected so much out of me.  You taught me the meaning of competitiveness when you moved me to the outfield to secure the fourth grade championship (you must have known something, look where I am today).  To this day you have pushed me to be the best player on the baseball field and student in the classroom, and I cannot thank you enough for that.  To my brother Steve, when I decided to join you down here at Saint Mary’s, I had no idea how much fun we were going to have together (I hope you think the same thing).  You are my best friend in the world and a perfect role model for a younger brother to look up to.  It seems like yesterday that we were playing hotbox in the backyard and hitting homeruns with Ross and the boys in the street.  Those days might be long gone now, but those memories will stick with me forever.  Steve, your knowledge and passion for the game of baseball is second to none.  I thank you for everything that you have done for me and I look forward to seeing you with some upcoming trips to Seattle.

Having the chance to put on a uniform and play college baseball is a very special opportunity that I was fortunate to have.  This opportunity would not have been possible if it were not for my coaches.  To Coach Whaley, you have taught me to play the game of baseball the right way.  Since the moment I was a freshmen till my last game as a senior, you have had so much confidence in me when sometimes I didn’t have confidence in myself.  Thank you for taking a chance on me and allowing me to pursue my passion of playing baseball.  To Coach Huegel, thank you for all that you have done for me in my college career.  Serving as my baseball coach and advisor, you have had the double task of dealing with me on and off the field.  You have guided me down the correct paths of meeting my academic and athletic expectations.  To coach Winecke, when I came in as a freshmen you took me underneath your wing and taught me how to be a Cardinal baseball player.  You showed me what it takes to be successful at the college level and never settled for anything less than my best effort everyday at practice.  I can’t thank you enough for your friendship and leadership that you given me from the moment I first met you.  You are and will continue to be a fantastic college baseball coach.  By the way, I hope the Twins make the playoffs this year (☺).  I would also like this opportunity to thank my high school coaches, John Hardgrove and Shawn LaPlante, without their support I would not be where I am today.

To my fellow seniors, guys we have been through a lot together.  Thanks for being there with me through all the ups and downs that we have experienced in our four years.  To my fellow outfielders,  Brady, you are one of the most athletically talented players I have ever had the pleasure to play with.  Your ability to overcome the obstacles of three major knee surgeries is a testament to how mentally strong you are.  2-1 from the 262 will always have a special place in my heart.  Kriegs (bulldog), although I enjoyed our battles against each other in the Classic Suburban Conference, I had a much better time playing with you as your teammate.  Your decision to leave the Tommies and join St. Mary’s after your first semester of college was one of the best choices you have ever made.  I wish you the best of luck with Law School and will make sure that Brandon and Alex have your number on speed dial.  Miz, out of all the freshmen baseball players from Vlazny, it’s hard to believe that you and I are the only ones still playing (although I did hear that Verbout is batting .680 for the Chicago Cubs’ triple A team).  We share a lot of memories together, but I will never forget the tenacity that you played with every time you took the hill.  Satoshi, rooming with you over the last two years has been an incredible experience.  With 246 credits and four different major changes, it will be exciting to hear your name called at graduation this Saturday.  I hope that our friendship will continue to grow in the future and I can find time to make it to Hokkaido, Japan (I hope I spelled that right).  Geske, I have admired your work ethic and contribution to this program over the last two years.  I’m glad that you decided to come out for the team because your energy and enthusiasm has made such a big difference.    

To the rest of the team, thanks for all the memories that we have shared on and off the baseball field.  The long bus trips, locker room discussions, and countless meals that we have all shared together are what make playing college baseball so special.  Thank you for all the respect that you guys have given me over the years.  Your continued hard work is eventually going to pay off.  You guys are the start to something really spectacular here at Saint Mary’s.  Enjoy the opportunity, cherish the friendships, and savor the memories because in a short amount of time it’s all going to come to an end.   

To my current and former roommates.  Robbie, Satoshi, Brandon, Alex, Steve, Coz, Tool, Popek, Juice, Lee, and I’ll even count you Miz.  Thanks for all the memories.  Our grill outs at the house, bean bags in the back yard, hair cutting adventures, and fun nights in Vlazny, are all memories that I will never forget.

To some former players that have had large impacts on my life.  Cic, Ryno, Rink, Juice, Jose, Jake, Timmy, Danny, Coz, and the Popek brothers.  Thank you to all of you guys for allowing me to be your teammate and share in the tradition of Saint Mary’s baseball.

To all the parents for the support, encouragement, and between game meals.  You all have provided our team with more than we could have ever asked for.  In particular, thank you to Gary Knudsen for the time he spent with me my freshmen year in the Fort Myers Hospital.

I know this is not going to sit well with the guys, but I want to thank my girlfriend, Jessica.  The love and support that you have given me is endless.  I thank you for putting up with me after games when I didn’t care to talk and being there for me when I needed somebody most.  You’re a wonderful piece of my life and I look forward for more of that in the future.

I would like to give thanks to the faculty and staff at Saint Mary’s.  Sports Information Director Donny Nadeau, thanks for all that you do for SMU athletics and specifically the baseball team.  Trainer Kristin Stoneberg, thanks for putting up with me this year.  Your patience and assistance with our team is greatly appreciated.  To the faculty, in particular Brother Stephen Rusyn, thank you for all your encouragement over the years and your understanding when it came to missed classes.

Even though my time here at Saint Mary’s is over and I’m finishing up my final games in a Cardinal uniform, I am pleased to say that these have been, by far, the best four years of my life.  I could not have asked to spend my college experience with a better group of intelligent, genuine, and charismatic friends as I have here at Saint Mary’s (Rew and Bogz, I don’t know if your guys apply here).  I am privileged to have been given this opportunity and look forward to the future that lies ahead of me.  Thanks for the memories.