Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

For starters, I would like to say what an incredible experience it has been playing basketball while getting an education here at Saint Mary’s University.  I feel very blessed to have been given the opportunity to do so.  The past four years have been some of the best of my entire life and I will never forget them.  Not many people have the opportunity to play basketball at the collegiate level, so I feel very fortunate that I was able to.  At times it was a lot of hard work and even frustrating, but I will more than miss being in the gym with my teammates and coaches every October through February.  Words cannot describe how much this team has meant to me over the years and how difficult it will be walking away from it.  But none of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for my family, coaches, and teammates who all helped me out every step of the way.

Mom, thank you for all of the support you have given me over the years in everything I do.  You have been there for me every step of the way and I greatly appreciate it.  You supported me in grade school basketball, high school basketball, AAU basketball, and College basketball.  With all of the basketball I have played I can’t think of very many games that you haven’t been at, so thank you.  P.S. Thanks for all of the home cooked meals over the years.  I don’t know how I would have survived without them! Love you.

Dad, thank you for everything you have done for me when it comes to my basketball career and my education.  I will never forget all of the drives you’ve made for me over the years.  Whether it be going to AAU practice, going to tournaments, or making the drives to watch me play.  Also, thank you for all of the help and financial support you have given me when it comes to my education.  You have done so much for me and I am so thankful for it.  I’m not sure where I would be now or what I would have done if you hadn’t given me all the guidance and support that you have.  So thank you!

Matt, I’m not sure I could have asked for a better brother to have in my life.  You have shown me a lot of support when it comes to basketball.  All of those one on one games and shooting in the driveway at home really helped me to become the player that I am today.  I’ve honestly never played against a tougher defender or someone who works as hard as you do.  I only wish we were able to play together competitively for more than just that one year.  It’s going to be weird next year with you going off to college and being so far away from home, but I know you’ll do great and be very successful.  P.S. Can I still live in your basement one day?  Oh, and I know I still owe you $5 from that bet.

Coach Todd, thank you so much for the opportunity to play for you and this university.  You saw the potential I had as a basketball player and have pushed me every step of the way to become a better player and leader.  I have honestly learned more about the game of basketball from you than all of the other coaches I’ve had put together.  Your knowledge of the game has helped me to become the best player that I can be so thank you.  I have thoroughly enjoyed playing for this team the past four years.  I owe it all to you and the dedication you have for the game of basketball.

Coach Kevin, thank you for all of the time you’ve put in to making us better players and all the work you do putting the scouting reports together.  I’ve never met a coach who has such a knack for drawing up plays that expose the defenses weaknesses.  Thank you for pushing me to become a better player.

Coach Adam, thank you for all of the time you’ve put in to scouting for this team and helping the team out in any way that you can.  It’s greatly appreciated!

Coach Ryan, it’s been great having you as a coach this year, but I’m also glad I was able to have you as a teammate for two years.  You were a great leader out on the court, always played with so much intensity, and you really know how to push people to get their best effort out of them.  Somehow I knew that you would make a great coach one day.

Coach Biebel, thank you for all you have done for this basketball team and university.  I enjoyed having you as a coach for a couple of years and hearing all of your stories.
Brian, I’m really glad that you decided to come back on the team this year.  You’re a very talented basketball player and have helped this team out in so many ways.  Thanks for taking care of me on Dec. 18th.

Josh, it’s been nice having you as a teammate the past four years and also as a roommate this year.  I know I can always come to you if I ever want to play some COD!!  I can’t wait to play some softball with you this summer, it should be a great time as always.  Fun run?!

Tom, it has been a pleasure getting to know you and having you as a teammate these past four years.  It was always nice to take a road trip up to Rochester to enjoy a home cooked meal and have some good times.  Hopefully this summer you’ll actually be able to join us on the field for the softball tournament.

Joe, I couldn’t have asked for a better roommate the past three years or a better teammate the past four.  I’m going to miss going up against you in practice every day, you pushed me every day and made me a better player.  I know if I ever need a good movie to watch I can come to you for advice.  P.S. I don’t care what you say the shake weight was a genius invention.

Brandon, I’m disappointed that I didn’t get to play with you this year because you are one of the hardest workers I know when it comes to basketball.  I know you’ll come back next year stronger than ever and have a huge impact on the team.  I can’t wait to watch you play again.  I’ll surely miss some of the conversations you, Kevin, and I had.

Evan, you are one of the fiercest competitors I have ever played with or against.  I’m so glad I got the opportunity to play with someone like you the past two years and I can’t wait to watch you on the court the next couple years.  But quit picking fights with the biggest guys on the court!

Ben, you have always been one of the toughest defenders to go up against in the post.  You work hard every single day and really push the post players.  Keep up the good work and keep working hard.  If I ever want to make some bets I’ll come to you for some insight.

Preston, AKA Larry, Chip, Bert, Golden Eye, Ernie, Cal, Dale, and the list just goes on and on.  I can’t even think of them all anymore!  I’m really glad I was able to play ball and hang out with you the past couple years.  You bring an intensity to practice every day that is unmatched.

Tyler, I’ll never forget the overnight visit you came on and the great time we had at 301.  You’ve been a great guy to play with the past couple years.  Keep up the hard work.

Trent, keep shooting those rainbow threes!  It’s been fun to watch you grow as a player this year, hopefully we’ll make it up to open gym a few times this spring.  And I also hope to meet Lucas one day, he sounds like a crazy dude.

Sean, it’s been fun playing with you and getting to know you this year.  I still can’t believe we took that trip to the Mall of America, so not worth it.  Maybe one day I’ll come visit you in Hawaii.

Johnny, you are an extremely talented athlete and I can’t wait to see you play in the future.  Keep working hard and you’ll have a great basketball career here.  Hopefully you’ll be able to make the bus for all of the road trips next year!

Mark, I can’t wait to see you become the pope one day.  But for now keep up the hard work on the court, you are a tremendous basketball player with so much potential.

Will, I can’t wait to watch the rest of your basketball career here at Saint Mary’s.  Out on the court you have a motor that just never stops.  You better be averaging a double double next year!  P.S. Lewiston will always be better than St. Charles.  At everything.

Kevin, it’s definitely been weird not having you around this semester.  You have a great sense of humor and I wish you were still here.  Hopefully we can stay in touch.
Jake, da bears da cubs da sox da bulls da hawks.  Thanks for everything you do for the team.  5 Jake!!

John, Notre Dame will always be better than USC.  Let me know when you have your first UFC fight, I’ll be there.
Reberneck, I have truly missed not having you around this year.  You always provide endless hours of entertainment.

Sam, I wish you were still here at SMU.  You were always fun to be around.  Hopefully we’ll run into each other from time to time.

Freeman, thank you for all you’ve done for me and this team the previous three years.  You were the best leader I’ve ever played with on the court.  Things really aren’t the same without you around here.  LEGGGOO!!!

Timmy, you are by far one of the funniest people I’ve ever met.  It was great hanging out with you and playing basketball with you for three years.  Oh, I think you still owe us a new DVD player.

Rod, I miss trying to receive one of your crazy no look one handed passes out on the court.  I was sleep G!!

Lukas, Will, Murph, Connolly, Simms, Gary, Chris, James, I will never forget you guys.  You were all great teammates and I miss not having all of you around here anymore.

Ann Merchlewitz, thank you so much for all the support you have shown our team over the years.  It is more than appreciated!

Bill, thanks for putting up with me the past four years.  You are a fun guy to be around and a great trainer.  I’ll miss stealing all of your granola bars.  DTB!!