Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

I never thought as a kid growing up in Jamaica that I would have the opportunity to come to the U.S. and go to college, much less play soccer. From where I came from to where I am now, I can say that I was truly blessed. First and foremost I want to thank God for giving me the health and strength to play soccer at the collegiate level for four amazing years. Second, I want to thank my mom, Palma Wallace, you have made many sacrifices for me in the last four years and I will never forget that. Whether it was waking up at 5 a.m. to cook me food to bring back to school or just giving me encouraging words when I am down you have always been a rock in my life that I knew I could count on.   I am truly blessed to have you as my mother and I would not trade you for the world. My aunt Doreen, my cousin, my little brother Travis, the trainers; thanks for helping me will all my injuries over the years, coaches; for giving me a chance and improving me as a soccer player, and my friends for helping through my four years at SMU, without you all of you it would not have been possible.

My last four years has been full of ups and downs and a ton of memories. I remember when I arrived on campus as this little freshman kid that was quiet and kept to himself.  Since then I have to say that the last four years has been an eye opener for me and it has made me into a totally different person from when I first arrived at SMU. As a freshman I would not have been caught dead running around yelling RED AND WHITE, RED AND WHITE, RED AND WHIIIITE! Being at SMU has taught me a lot about myself and gave me the opportunity to grow not only as a soccer player but as a person as well.

Most memorable moment ... It’s hard for me to have one most memorable moment because there are so many I will never forget.  I think my most memorable moment would be when I scored my first goal at the collegiate level. I’ll miss the bus rides with my teammates, joking around and arguing about what went wrong in the game, Bobby just acting a fool, well that’s just Bobby, the crazy stuff we talked about and not to mention half the stuff that took place in our locker room.. HAHAHA… well that’s a lot to talk about and some I hope I forget. Whether it is coming back from injures and helping the team, to finishing off the season strong by beating teams such as St. Thoma,; going to Seattle, the overnight trips or just hanging out with my teammates. There are a million memories that I have of SMU soccer that I will still laugh at when I think about in the many years to come! SMU Soccer has allowed me to meet a lot of people from all over the world that has made me look at life in a different way.

Teammates … Whoosh! Move boi! Juvi you’re going to be my boy for life, I know you remember the days we were at King Lab playing soccer with like 20 different things on in the cold, the amount of time we spent at ETHS, you have seen me at my worst and at my best and I want to thank you for being there for me and helping me when I need it on and off of the field. Kenya you know we go haaard haha, biba well your just something else bro and I’m happy I got the chance to meet you. Nue, WAH GWAAN HAHA MY YUTE! It was fun playing with you and keep that positive attitude going and keep working hard, Bobby, NAW MAN STOP good times play boy, Kameron Georgia peach Mckeeth I’ll miss you bro…Luke you my boy and it was a great four years playing with you… Jua/Rad/Boussie I’ll miss all of you guys it’s been fun playing with all of you and not to mention all the good times we had and you guys know what you have to do next year I’ll be here cheering for you. Rad keep letting them referees know when they messing up, Jua and Boussie keep going hard and scoring goals well Jua work on that just kidding. Jon/Chris it was fun playing with you both and thank you Jon for picking up where we mess up and I will never forget all  of the sick saves you have had over the years and also the family guy quotes in warm up.  I know I forgot some names but everyone else I’ll miss you and keep playing hard.

Newcomers … The best advice I  can give to the new guys is to play hard and don't sell yourself short, and always stay hungry to get that win or just improve yourself anyway you can as a soccer player. You guys have four years coming that is going to be a hard ride that sometimes after a hard game you might question if it’s worth it. I can tell you as someone leaving the program, every minute of it is most definitely worth it. This is your last chance in your life to play competitive soccer at the college level! It might not seem like it’s that big of a deal but when you’re a senior looking down the barrel of being an adult that no longer has soccer as your priority in life you will see how special your four years at SMU were. I wish you guy the best of luck in the years to come, if you took one thing from this season is that you should go out every day and play with PASSION and enjoy the game of soccer.

People I want to thank … Nancy and Tom Figel: I want to thank you for being there for me and helping with the things I needed for school, you have been a blessing to my life and I will never forget what you have done for me. Brother Stephen:   I remember when I was a freshman in your intro to lit class and would be scared to say a word because I was scared your would throw me out the window haha…thank you setting me straight and thank you for helping me when I was stress with soccer, school and just life in general you have been a positive influence in my life and I’m happy that I got a chance to meet you. Alyse Coates: Well, first I want to thank you for being a part of my life — even with life’s ups and downs; you have always been there for me.  I think out of anyone ,you have had the biggest impact on my life.  Thanks for never letting me give up me and thank you for not just being a great person but a great friend also. Coach Dembiec:  I don’t have the words to explain how happy I am that I got the opportunity to play college for four years with for you as my coach, I want to thank you for being there for me when I need help in season or off season.  I have learned a lot from you in my last four years but if there is one thing that I will take away it would be to always have PASSION in whatever I do.  You have done an excellent job with a young group of guys and I know the success you want will come.  Each year has gotten better and each year I have learned more and became more mature while doing so and I want to thank you for your wise words.

Friends: Andre “DRE” Seckler I miss you son and all the crazy times we had and its sad that we could have not finish our college years together but you will always be my friend.

Canada: We have been friends since freshman year looking back I remember the breaks we would stay and our trips to Hy-Vee HAHAHA I’m happy that I have met you and I wish you the best.

To everyone else I’m happy that I got a chance to meet you I have learned a lot from each and every one of you and will keep learning and thank you for being there for me over the years I will truly miss you all.