Honestly, I have been dreading this part of my college soccer career since freshman year when I read these statements for the first time. Knowing that this is my final goodbye to this family that I have been part of for four years now is something that is unexplainable. I remember freshmen year thinking that I would not have to worry about this for another three years, but trust me, it creeps up fast. Looking at the past four years on this team is something that is hard to do, mainly because we have been through so much as a program and as a team. With changing coaches after my second year, to bringing in 35 or so new freshmen in during my senior year, the atmosphere has definitely changed. When looking back at the friends that I have made because of soccer, I could not imagine what college would have been like without joining the men’s soccer team here at Saint Mary’s.
Of course, the team has been an extremely important part of my time here at Saint Mary’s, but I cannot forget about the people who mean the most to me, my family. My parents are the best parents that I could have ever asked for and for that I am truly grateful. They have helped me get to where I am today and they have raised me to be the person I am. They have supported me in everything that I have done in my life and I know they will be doing that for the time coming as well. This may be hard for many people to believe but my parents have only missed one soccer game in my career since I was a freshman in high school. They have put endless hours and miles into their travel to come and support not only me, but the team as well. I have always enjoyed knowing that when I step off of the field after a game, no matter the result, I will always have them to talk to. Though I could probably go on forever about the things that they have done for me, I probably shouldn’t. Mom and Dad, I love you guys and I appreciate the support you have given me throughout my soccer career!
Of course, I cannot forget about my one and only sister, Whitney. I know that you are the older of the two kids and that you went off to school before me, making it harder for you to see me play, but I am always excited to hear that you are coming to a game to watch me play. Whether you were at school or whether you have work the next day, any game that you can make it to, you come and I cannot explain what that means to me. You know about the challenges that I have been through with soccer and you are always there for me to talk to. I know I only say it during certain times, but I love you so much Whitney and I cannot wait to see what the future brings for both of us.
Coming into Saint Mary’s, soccer was something that I was hoping to do, but not guaranteed to do. I came in hoping for the best and to make the team; little did I know what my future on the team was going to be. Playing with all of the different people that I have played with over the last four years is hard to believe but it has been a privilege to play with them all. Whether this was a person that I extremely good friends with, or whether they were someone that I only talked to on the field, they have affected me somehow. From the struggles the team has faced through the last four years to seeing the direction that the program in heading down now is amazing to see. I hope the best of luck to the men’s soccer team for the many years to come.
Though the years have seemed to fly by, I have been blessed to play with the people that I have gotten to play with. To the people you graduated before me: Thank you for the experience and advice that you have given to me over the past years. It has all been taken into account and helped me to become the player that I am today and I am glad to have received it from you. Coach Neu: You have been the one person that I could talk to about anything and have been a true leader to look up to the past few years. Whether I have wanted to hear it or not, you have told me what I have been doing wrong on the field and that hasn’t gone unnoticed. Best of luck to you after December graduation with whatever you end up doing.
Now, if one were to look at the program, it’s hard to believe that we have dropped from around 14 people coming in freshmen year to the five of us that still remain. These four years would have been nothing like it has been without you four other guys on the team. Kam: We have been roommates twice now, sophomore year and senior year. It has been an experience to say the least. Whether one of us were frustrated, or both of us at certain times, the other was there to help them figure it out. Though the girls have not always gotten along very well until recently, we have always been great friends. We didn’t let the little things get to us and I don’t think we have argued about something. It really sucks that I will not be here next semester to finish the four years up with you as a roommate, but I’m sure the other room will be glad to have you. Puff: What can I say? From the time of freshmen year when you didn’t get mad at me the night that I kicked you way too hard up until now, we have been close friends. It’s hard to believe that you do as much homework as you do, but that just proves what kind of person you are. You work extremely hard at everything you do. I know this season has been a bit of a disappointment in ways but keep your head up and do what you do. I don’t know exactly what you are going to do with you History major, but best of luck with your thesis and whatever else you do in life. Lusch: You and Bourgoine were the first classmates that I met on the soccer team at captain’s practice freshmen year. With basically being next door neighbors freshmen year with Meyer and me, along with Puff and Kenya, it has been a great four years. I am going to blame you for getting me into League of Legends, and why sometimes my homework doesn’t always get completed to best of my ability. And though Black Lusch is sometimes the cooler of the two, Great White will never be forgotten. Just so you know, you will have to lead the intramural team to win in indoor volleyball this year as I will be gone. Best of luck to you in the future. Gunnar: HEAAAAA!!!!! You are the ultimate Goon Daddy and the one and only Gunnar Stahl. Though this has been a pretty rough senior year, keep your head up. You are the best center back that I have ever had to privilege to play with in my many years of soccer and you deserve all the credit that you have received. I guess there is really only one last thing to say, “Good work Captain Duck”.
To the younger kids – Graber: Keep working hard in that center mid role. You are an amazing player that deserves more credit than he gets. Just remember that that position involves playing defense as well. VanDam: I give you credit for what you do on the field for us every game. When it comes down to it, there isn’t anyone else I would rather have in net. Palma: You are one crazy kid and I am glad you have made the smart decisions that you have this year. Bosco: It’s about time that somebody has broken the curse of the dreaded #2 jersey. Keep up the good work on and off the field. Geidner: You are the fugitive of the team. Though you don’t want to be, you are going to be that story next year that coach tells the incoming freshmen. Stay out of trouble and best of luck in the future. Brito: Did you hear? Cody: Don’t ever get a room in the library with Brito again because you know nothing will get done. Keep doing what you’re doing. I find it hard to believe that anybody will ever beat that beep test score you set this year. To all the other players that I did not mention: It has been a pleasure playing with you over the years, and for many, just this year. Let’s finish out this year with something special that SMU hasn’t seen in a long time.
Though my college soccer career is coming to an end, I couldn’t be happier with what I have done over the time spent here. This team has been one of the largest things to ever happen to me and it is sad to see it go. I have created relationships on and off the field that I would have never had a chance to do without soccer and that could never be replaced. I wish the best of luck to Saint Mary’s Men’s Soccer in the years to come. It has been a pleasure playing for you and I will never forget this experience. |
