#3 Willy Shetka

I would first like to start out by thanking all of the people that allowed me to have the opportunity to attend college and to stick with me through the up and downs of it all. Dad, without you being the strong and most resilient person I know, I know I would not be writing this letter to you. The opportunities and lessons you have given me throughout my life have been endless from providing me with a private education, lessons on the sports field and most importantly how to handle yourself in good times and in bad. To my brother Ryan I hope nothing but success and happiness for you in your future endeavors. You have already been through so much in your young life and have handled it with the maturity well beyond your years. That’s not a big shocker there though you’ve always been a few years older then what your birth certificate has shown. To Punk, I know Ryan and I have always picked on you and tormented you a little, it’s good for ya…helps you build character. But in all seriousness I watch from a distance as you grow older and are now looking at different colleges and universities to attend and want nothing but the best for you. I still sometimes see ya as the little punk running around calling Nick a “Barbie” or mom having to trick you to fall asleep and telling you to not fall asleep but just “rest your eyes.” I would also like to thank my mother; you are always missed and will never be forgotten. Your smile has left a forever lasting impression on your 3 sons and all of your family members. We all miss you dearly.
   Then to all my Aunts and Uncles who have been nothing short of extraordinary in the sup   port and help of my father to help raise my brothers and myself. Without all of you I would not be where I am today nor would I be the person I am today! I would love to thank all of you individually but, I don’t think Saint Mary’s has that kind of budget for that much paper to be produced…I want you all to know though that none of it goes unappreciated and unnoticed! My gratitude towards your effort and care will never be forgotten.

To my grandparents, your support towards your grandchildren and my dad are unwavering. From all the after-school meals to support at baseball games, and of course a brand new cabin. Like everything else I want to express my gratitude and thankfulness for having you in my life.

Now to all the players from this year’s team and in the past … I want to say thank you to all. It’s been a real fun trip from on the field experiences to off. Everything from the wild Tuesday nights, Sunday Fun day activities, and I definitely cannot forget the duster discos!

One of my biggest regrets was not coming here to SMU right away out of high school. I made the dumb mistake of choosing that other school that shall remain nameless…I regret the decision because I was only able to spend 3 years with the great bunch of seniors I have the pleasure of graduating with.

Dahlstrom, I really hope you figure out your time management skills. Once you figure out how to manage your time it will really help so you don’t put half your effort towards your bullpens (haha). Then after you figure out your bullpens, you can manage your time to put together an equation to see at what point in the future that ball Kyle Johnson LAUNCHED off you will eventually land. Maybe, you can just start running in that direction and let me know when you eventually find it. I’d say good luck in the future to ya, but with your work ethic there is no such thing as luck.

Arch, or should I say Tatonka you have a heart of gold…just don’t clog it up with all the DQ and fat-donalds. Ha I’m kidding…relax. I really wish you all the best in the future (even if you do put all that weight back on). I’ve always enjoyed our banter back and forth and in all seriousness wish you the best. You have really shown your ability to be resilient over the past few years and I hope you never lose that. I wish all the best!

Fersch, gold tops anyone? How about on a roof top? How about this year around June 18th, 19th, 20th? K, ill see ya there!

Swenny, WAIIIIIITTTTTT….WAIIIIIIITTTTTT just stop going hard for like 2 seconds and try to read this while sitting still, and not fall asleep. I’ve known ya for a long time and have never really seen a work ethic like yours (on and off the field). Just in the future, keep it down in the morning not everybody wakes up at the crack of dawn and tinkers around all morning. Man, there have been some good times between the 1 and 1/5 of the year I’ve lived with you. Don’t worry though I’ll never leave ya behind at the house no matter the situation or the time.

Kyle, you’re a great competitor and always want to work hard and strive to win, on and off the field. You are a very committed and loyal friend and I hope you always hold that trait close to you.

Krause just quit tinkering around for like 2 seconds and commit to reading this paragraph about you. K thanks. Get back to tinkering… No, seriously from what I’ve seen not that I’m an expert but the things you do with that camera are awesome! You get some cool sport pictures or something and I get a job you’ll probably have a loyal customer. You’ve always been a guy who knows what you want and goes and gets it no matter what people say, that’s awesome. Keep up the good work buddy!

Ding, I wish I had memories to speak of but you always just disappear and I forget about you…weird…

Anyone Jonesin' for a pizza? Oh of course you are Boges…big rig…oh wait, what now you want a cowboy from Winona Sandwich Company? Of course you do, just make sure to try and finish your drink this time…If you want to work off that pizza and sandwich we can go on a little walk around Winona if you want, maybe stop at a few places. I mean we don’t make smart decisions, but they definitely do not lack the fun aspect!

Joey, don’t get too excited I said pizza in the past paragraph not fat-donalds. Just go back to bed, I’ll wake you up when the sun goes down; let you know it’s safe to come out. Wait, wait...Get outta here. Hold on, turn it down, turn it down, turn off the lights, shhhh, someone there….AHHHHHHHH A BAT!

Danny, just figure it out at some point before ya graduate. Maybe, we can go on another road trip to the cities and back, don’t worry Gary will drive… ya I suppose we can make a pit stop in Prescott and say hi to Big Sexy and get her BOMB BURGERS! Hopefully, Bogie won’t be sleeping in the closet.

Sammy, don’t get too excited I wasn’t talking about your closet, I heard you already have people staying in there anyways… Haha.

Hey Gary, its 8 o’clock, aren’t we supposed to get up and go shoot trap…K cool I don’t want to either. Tell Big Sexy sorry, I still think it was my fault.

Hey Rew, let’s try to not throw too many bows around during the duster disco eh? HEY RELAX huh? You over it? Ya, I figured as much. Hey, just make sure you’re around on Friday to make sure I’m awake during class…

Lech, you snake in the grass. I’ve been waiting for comebacks my entire career here, and I always see your mouth moving but no words seem to come out. Jake, some people say you play hard, I just think you play dirty…haha. Either way don’t lose the competitive nature.

Ruf daddy! Just remember like your boy Rockafella says “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.” Don’t worry though if you can’t, Boges or myself can help ya make it to the bathroom, if you don’t know where it is.

To the sophomores, just make sure you don’t follow captain duster around, if you follow those simple instructions you’ll be just fine.

YO YO YO YO freshman, just make sure you’re not caught tanning outside your dorm room, and keep jamming. Oh ya and hike up your skirts, poodle sticks. Remember, chicks dig the long ball!

Coach Wineke, much like you I’m going to keep this short and simple your energy is endless and your will to succeed undeniable. Keep this program heading in the right direction.

Coach Jacobsen, you the man! Your ability to handle people and individuals is a true talent, don’t ever lose that. You were a great addition to the SMU baseball program this year and hope you’re here to stay for a while!

Again I would like to thank everybody for the opportunity to be able to play here and all those that made it such a great experience! I am truly a different person for the opportunities and experiences I have been able to have because of all and with all of you. THANK YOU!

HEY WAIT … GET OUTTA HERE!