Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

In the past few years, I’ve noticed two common similarities in the Senior Salutes: the first common theme seems to be that all of the seniors can’t believe the past four years have flown by so fast, and the second similarity is that all the seniors can’t find enough words to thank all the people that helped get them to where they are today.  Like seniors in the years pasts, I too am struggling to find the right words to thank all the people that have made numerous sacrifices in order for me to be where I am today; however, contrary to most of the other baseball graduates, it’s easy for me to believe that my four years of wearing the red and white uniform of Saint Mary’s are coming to a close.  It’s easy for me to believe because in my four years I’ve had so much fun that it should be illegal, and I’ve made hundreds of friends and good memories that will last a lifetime.  The great times I’ve had, and the lasting memories I’ve formed wouldn’t be possible without the friends and family that made it all feasible.  The family and friends that made the good times even better and the hard times not as bad.  Without those people, I wholeheartedly believe that I would not be here today.

The two people that are most responsible for getting me here without too many bumps on the road are, of course, my mom and dad.  Dad, for as long as I can remember, I’ve looked up to you more than anyone else in the world.  You’ve always been the first person I want talk to after all my games because whether I played great and you would bring me back down to reality or I played lousy and you would pick me right back up.  You’re always the first person I look for in the stands at my games and I can’t thank you enough for all the hard work you’ve put in to allow me to come to St. Mary’s.  You truly are my hero, and I’m proud to be your son.  I love you!  Mom, since I was old enough to pick up a ball, you’ve been my biggest fan.  I can always hear your positive cheers of reinforcement over anyone else in the stands.  You too have worked tirelessly to give me the opportunity to be where I am today, and you have always had confidence in me and have been in my corner even when nobody else was.  For that, I can’t thank you enough and you have no idea how much everything you’ve done means to me.  I love you!  To both of you, for the hundreds of football, basketball, and baseball games you’ve attended, and the thousands of miles you’ve driven to get there, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Also, thank you Tom and Laura for being my second set of parents.  You two are great and I love both of you as well.  Sorry I won’t be able to babysit Alex next year. 

Now on to my brother and sisters, I would have thanked you first, but mom and dad brought me into this world and I can remember you two trying to take me out when we were fighting as little kids, so I thought it was only fair.  Jeremy, thank you for letting me be your annoying kid-brother that always followed you wherever you went.  I’ll never forget the winter field goal kicking contests, the homerun derbies, making “great plays” while playing catch in the driveway, or the infamous elbow to the forehead during our “basketball game (and not while wrestling like we told mom)”.  Melissa, I don’t know why you ever did, but thank you for marrying my brother and being a great sister-in-law.  I’m looking forward to being Uncle Brandon sometime hopefully in the near future and I know you two will make great parents.  Thank you for making my brother happy.  Amanda, I would apologize for Jeremy and I picking on you all the time when we were little but it made you tougher so I’m glad we did it.  You’ve been an unbelievable big sister and I’m sure we’ll have many more ups and downs headed our way in the next year living with each other.  I promise to try and be tolerable at all times if you will.  One last thing, I want to say I’m sorry to both of you, Jeremy and Amanda, for being mom and dad’s favorite.  It must have been hard growing up knowing they loved me just a little bit more.  Just kidding, but seriously.  I love both of you and even though you two never stop fighting, I can’t wait until next time we all get together.

Next, I feel that I must salute my fellow seniors.  It’s been a great four years and the best time of my life.  It all started freshman year being Robbie’s neighbor, watching Tyler do gina-man up and down the hallway and then having shaving cream fights during February break, watching AP pull the string on the mound with that nasty changeup, and meeting Alex after he jumped into the bluffs and he was ankle deep in mud.  Not much as changed over our four years.  Robbie is still my neighbor, except now it’s at 56 Saratoga CT (the greatest house of all time) and not in Benilde (the greatest dorm of all time).  Kruse still does gina-man.  Pass still has the dirty changeup.  And when Alex runs, it’s still like he’s at least ankle deep in mud.  Rob, I’ll never forget Roady Fest.  Kruse I’ll always remember your incredible diving catches. Andy, I’ll always love your wizardry.  Alex, we’ve had some of the best time we’ll never remember.  Cedar Rapids at the Todd Snider (greatest singer/songwriter of all time) concert, Arizona visiting your sister (hi Sarah), and living in St. Joseph’s Hall floor two and one half, just to name a few.  You’ll always have two of my favorite quotes, “I have a six pack and a size 13 shoe” and “Hey, give me your undies!”  You’ve had more nicknames than anyone I know… Schmidty, Pontius, A. Bill, Fatty, Fu Man, Debrickashaw, SuperTramp and many more, but I can also call you my best friend because you’ve been there for whenever I needed you and it’s hard to believe our four year reign here at St. Mary’s is coming to a halt.  Rob, TK, AP, and Fatty, thanks for making our four years together unforgettable. 

Underclassman, you have also made this a magnificent time and you will all be missed for unique reasons.  KR, a few things: I will be back every Tuesday next year for wings, you’ve been a great friend and middle infielder, and “where do you like your beat?”  Fresh, A.K.A. Roomie, I’ve had a great time being your pizza partner and roommate in AZ, my only regret was stirring the soup.  Johnny, I’ll miss all your witty sayings and comments and I can’t wait to do the ropes course with you before the end of the year.  Dahlstrom, thanks for sitting next to me in Fed Tax and enjoy my spot at Hormel.  Busch, is this salute too long?  How long is a good salute?  Do you think my salute is good?  Krause, I enjoyed my time with you here at SMU almost as much as I enjoyed beating you during our days with The James and USC.  Joey O, after all our talks at second base you didn’t even bother to call me, that hurts.  Rew Bear, I have no doubt that you’ll lead this program in the next couple of years but don’t forget to Whoo Sa every now and then.  OlberZach, keep shaking out those good hands and keep on frolicking.  Bogie, I’ll never forget our bus text messages and calamine lotion.  Say Dan, take your shoes off next time you come over and keep smiling.  Willy, take a deep breath and slow down your words (last time I say that the rest of the year).  Lechner, you’re annoying, but thanks for getting under KR’s skin.  To all the other guys on the team that have made my time here great, thank you.  Also, thanks to all the alumni that have played a significant role in my four years of fun such as:  Coz, Kuhn, Popek, Kev, Timmy K, Miz, Brady, and many others that have graced me with their presence.

Of course, my time on the field wouldn’t have been possible without all the coaches that allowed me to play.  First, thanks to Coach Whaley for not only letting me play, but for teaching me so much about the game.  Also, thanks for letting me work the Cotter volleyball games and witness the sheer athleticism of Cotter girl’s volleyball.  In all seriousness, I enjoyed the volleyball, and thanks for giving me a chance to play.  Benji, I’m glad I didn’t get a chance to work with you, because then I would have had to run like 300,000 miles a year, but thank you for being a great coach and an even better advisor.  Coach Trewick, you were easily the best bench coach in the history of the MIAC.  Jake and Coz, I’m glad I was able to play under your tutelage.  Kuhner, it’s been great having one more year with you.  Rob, it’s been great getting to know you.  Finally, thank you Coach Winecke.  You’ve pushed me more than any other coach in my life and I’m honored to be part of your first senior class.  Over my four years, you’ve gone from being a good friend, to a better assistant coach, to a great head coach.  There is no doubt in my mind that you will lead Saint Mary’s back to greatness in the very near future and I feel privileged to be able to start to build up this program.  As coach Pearson said, “I say program, not team, because a team represents one season, but a program represents this year and many more to come.”  Coach Winecke, I can’t thank you for all you’ve taught me in the last four years, but I hope you know that I truly appreciate everything you’ve done for me.  And my last thank you goes out to Donny.  Not only are you the glue behind the scenes that holds everything together, you were also the glue that held van #2 together down in Arizona, thank you.

As I said in the beginning, there aren’t enough words to thank everyone and mention everybody that’s made my stay here as great as it’s been.  The last four years have been the greatest four years of my life and I feel extremely fortunate to have worn a Saint Mary’s uniform.  I could not have asked to spend my time here with a better group of guys.  Thanks again to everyone for everything!