#2 Lucas Volini

I have yet to truly take into perspective how fast my four years at Saint Mary’s have gone by until sitting down to write my Senior Salute. Looking back, I have made countless unforgettable memories and have engaged in priceless life lessons that I know I will take with me as I move on. The bulk of my memories and what I have learned is due to my four years as a part of this soccer program. The friendships I have made and the things I have learned from each and every one of the people who have been involved in this program with me are things that would have never else been possible if I decided not to play soccer here at Saint Mary’s — and for that, I have plenty of people that deserve to be acknowledged and thanked.

I cannot rightfully begin to thank anyone without starting with my family. Between my parents and my two older brothers, I have truly been blessed to be able to call them my own. I am so fortunate and lucky to have parents that spend nine hours in a car just to be able to watch their son play a 90-minute soccer game and be able to sit down and have a dinner with him. It has been truly amazing to me to be able to play in front of you two for nearly every soccer game I have ever played in my 17 years of being involved with the game. For that, I could never thank you enough for your love and support. Dad: Due to our Italian nature, I know that almost all of the love and respect between you and I has gone unspoken for most of my life. I will take this as an opportunity to put some of that into words. Quite simply, you are the best man I have ever known. The hard work and sacrifices that you have made and continue to make for our family has never once gone unnoticed. Your hard work and love has given me every opportunity I could ever need to be who ever I want in life, and I could never thank you enough for that. You have truly set an almost unreachable standard of what it means to be a man, and even more so, a father. Part of my motivation to find success in life is to hopefully one day be able to give my family at least half as much as what you have given yours. I love you Pop. Mom: I feel that most people have a calling to do and be something in life, and there is no question in my mind that your calling, quite simply, was to be a mother. I could never ask for anything more than what you have given me. It is unbelievable to me how caring and loving you have been no matter what mistakes I have made, and how proud you have been of the success that I have found. I am starting to accept that no matter how old I get, I will always be your baby boy, and I will always get 3 missed calls and a text message from you checking up on me, every single day, just to make sure I’m still alive. In case you felt it goes unappreciated, my roommates and I all took to heart your text message warning us to never, ever play beer pong cause we will get H.I.V. from sharing cups with strangers. Although you still tend to go a bit overboard at times trying to protect me as if I still am your baby boy, the reality of it is that I owe it to you and Dad for the man that I have become, and I hope I can never stop making you proud. I love you Momma. Phil: You have set an example of everything I should strive to be in life, and never anything short of that. I admire you in so many ways that you would probably never even believe it if I told you, so I won’t. Not only have I always admired you, I have always been proud of you. You married your high school sweetheart and brought a wonderful woman into our family, and along with all of your other accomplishments at such a young stage of what is going to be an amazing life for you, we could never be more proud and happy for you. You have also set a somewhat unreachable standard for me. Take good care of Marissa and do not be too proud to let her take care of you in return. Brett: Still, to this day, there is no doubt in my mind that you will be the most successful of the three of us. Your personality and confidence is truly a unique gift and it will guide you through the rest of your life in ways that most people will never have the opportunity to experience. You have the rare ability to make light of any situation not only for yourself, but for everyone around you. I have learned from you in so many ways, and I have always had a never ending desire to impress you. I have been very blessed to have so many positive influences surrounding me throughout my entire life, and I will never stop being thankful for each of you.

I also need to thank my coaching staff. Dembiec: Although the statistics and records do not reflect your work, you have done an amazing job with this program since we both came in brand-new to it four years ago. I still think you made a mistake firing Seigle, but Perrigo did not do too badly of a job filling in for him. It has been a pleasure learning from you and watching you work. Your life experiences have given you a unique coaching style that any young man is fortunate to learn from. I wish you the best of luck in both your career, and your new family. Congratulations on marrying a doctor 10 years younger than you, you’re truly living the dream. Thank you for everything you have done for me. Perrigo: Playing under you for three years has been a very rewarding experience. You have been both a good coach, and a good friend. I wish you the best of luck as well both with your career, and your new family. See you at the wedding. Buchanon: You will never, ever read this, but I still want to write your biography. Seigle: I could only imagine where you are, or what you are doing right now, but, I hope you found some help in some way or another. And now, to all the people who made these past 4 years the best that I will ever have- my teammates and friends…

First off, to my house … It already has been, and will continue to be, the best part of college, living with you fellas. Jonny, Jon, Big Jon, Jonaronni: What can I say man, you’ll be my best friend for the rest of my life. We always used to joke about what my life would have been like here if you didn’t come and weren’t my roommate for four years, and quite honestly, I’m glad that’s something I never will have to know. I mean, I would have been an Ed’s Kid, enough said…I know you are the butt of almost all of our jokes on a daily basis, but, it’s only cause I know you’re too good of a guy, and like me too much to ever really retaliate in an aggressive way; up until recently, and honestly, I have been gettin’ nervous. You’re the best guy I know here Jonny, and you’ll do big things in life, and maybe even meet a girl along the way. Just never stop “aspiring” to be more like me ... Boussie: Forget you man, you’re crazier than I am … But, I knew since you came to visit Jon and I as our recruit that if you came here me you and Jonny would hit it off exactly the way we have, and I’m glad you made that choice. I know you’re gonna go one of two ways with your life, I just hope you aim for the legal side of the law and become a cop, instead of continuing to run from them for the rest of your life. And don’t worry, you’ll find a nice tatted up girl to take home to Mom and Dad some day. I also want to write your biography. Rad: Thanks for the couch and TV, and the girlfriend that does our dishes sometimes, and made me tacos, twice. You’re the dumbest smart kid I’ll ever know, and I’m still sorry that Everton lost to the Chicago Fire, just a regular MLS team, and their reserves in the second half. I also borrowed your computer to write this. Jua: Take it easy on the next people who prank call you, and try to lower that Lil’ Wayne when you’re doin’ work at night, it keeps me up. I also can’t wait for the day that the MLS All-Stars beat Manchester United. And why does your room always smell like grapes? To everyone else … Baby Bryan Neu: I’ve known you my whole life kid, and still remember you watchin me play soccer on the sidelines when we were kids. I never would’ve thought we’d be holdin’ it down in the back line at college, but it’s been an honor playing with you. The energy you bring to the field is unlike anyone else, and your absence in these last few games will be more evident than anyone else’s absence could ever be. You got a great career ahead of you here, take advantage of it. And we’re going back to Mexico some day to find Angela. AAAANNGEEELLAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!! Bobby Gas: Your parents, and plenty of other people, are gonna hate me for saying this, but don’t ever change kid. You’re unlike anyone else I’ve ever known, for good reasons and bad, but mostly good. I’M SORRY. Jermaine: One of the most loyal guys I’ve ever known. I’m glad we can finally SHARE something together. Take it easy on the gingers, that can get to be contagious. Keep in touch back in Chicago big man. Juvie: Keep those AF1’s white and those T’s fresh. Eeehhaaahahaa. Christian: God Bless and the best of luck to you in your future, I know you’ll make the right choice with what you’re gonna do. Kameron: You’re a great young player, and I’m sorry for cutting your hair. Hang in there, it’ll be worth it when it comes. Don’t listen to Bobby, ever. Adair: Stop kicking my shins. Lindsay: Your girlfriend is way too good looking for you, so don’t ever let her realize it. Gunner: I had fun playin’ with you in the back, you’re a good player. Stop lettin’ schizos in your house though. TOOONY OOOOOLSEN: You’re the only player I’ve ever seen go to shield a player off the ball 30 yards before it’s gonna go out of bounds. And just sit out next year when you guys play Macallester. Anger: Ummm, aaaaa, thanks for always makin’ me look stronger?

And to everyone else…

Big thanks to the hockey guys this year. You made our game atmosphere unlike it has been any other year here. Good luck to you guys this year, and we’ll all be sure to return the favor come hockey season. Thanks to those who made freshmen year in Benilde (Claf, Olie, Carlson, Ace, Wiz, Wig, Grundy, Lorenzo, KR, and all the fallen soldiers who aren’t here with us anymore) just an unforgettable mess. Claf, we’ll still rent out that Benilde room for hockey season. Linc, some of the best memories I have here are with you, and I’m sure we’ll make plenty more by the end of the year, especially once our band takes off. Mr. and Mrs. Neu- I’ve known you guys forever, and I’m sure that’ll never change. Thanks for givin’ my Old Man a break on drivin up here every other weekend. You guys raised 3 great kids and they’re lucky to have you. Mr. Gas, our most loyal fan. No matter how far we were or how bad the weather was, we could always count on at least one fan in the stands. Thanks for all the support and you deserve a statue for having to deal with Bobby his whole life. Mary and Ambjor- thanks for keepin’ my old man body in one piece just long enough to get through my 4 seasons here, and don’t worry, I’ll never be athletically active again after our last game. Brother Stephen- you better have come to this game and read this, and if not, I take everything I’m about to say back, but thanks for always bein’ there these last four years, you’re a great man, and a celebrity amongst Saint Mary’s campus. If anyone actually kept reading this, I apologize for the length, but I’ve always been better at sayin’ this stuff on paper than in words, so I took advantage of it. And to anyone I forgot who’s impacted me in a positive way, thank you…

Thanks Saint Mary’s,

Zip it up, and Zip it out, I’m outta here …