Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

My four years at Saint Mary’s have truly been a phenomenal experience.  It is so hard to believe how fast time flies in college and that it’s already coming to an end.  I still remember my first game playing at age 7 for 8 & under little league baseball in Altura.  At that point in time, I never thought I would have such a great opportunity to play at the college level.  Throughout high school, I have had others that would talk me down and thought I would never get to play college baseball.  Instead of listening, that encouraged me to get better and now, I’ve had the opportunity to travel and play ball in Tempe and Tucson, Arizona, the Metrodome/Mall of America Field and even be a part of the MIAC Playoffs, which was exactly like Coach described it.  I am very thankful to have spent four years playing baseball at Saint Mary’s.  I have made many friends in the process and I’m very thankful for that.  I’m also proud of how this team has changed and grown into a great group of guys that really helped turn the program around.  I have learned so much from this program and picked up key values that will really help me increase my chances of being successful in the real world.

To my family, I would like to thank my parents for sticking with me through everything I have been through.  You both have taught me a lot of values through the many years.  I really appreciated you guys coming to practically every game since I was 7 years old.  I remember at one point, I wanted to quit, but you guys encouraged me to keep going.  Otherwise, these four years at Saint Mary’s would have never happened.  I would also like to thank my brother, Tim, for what he’s done for me.  You are a true role model and I’m proud to have you as a brother.

Donny Nadeau & Nikki Fennern – I would like to thank you both for making this baseball program phenomenal.  I really appreciated all the time and hard work that you have done for this team and university.

To all the alumni – I would also like to thank all of you for your great support towards this program.  You guys truly make this experience that much better.

Coach Winecke – I remember walking into your office over winter break after transferring to Saint Mary’s.  When you mentioned the midnight run and what to expect, I thought you were downright crazy.  I will admit that I was very nervous, since I didn’t play the previous fall.  Your knowledge of the game is unbelievable and I respect you for that.  I want to thank you for all that you have done for me in my four years.  At times, you would really challenge me in practice to improve on some aspect of the game.  This has also improved my knowledge of the game.  You have made huge sacrifices to make this program even just 1% better.  It really shows how much you care for this team, the program, and the university itself.  I would also like to again congratulate you on your big wedding coming up.  Thanks again for all the values that you have taught this team that will really help us after college.

Coach Jake – I would like to thank you for being my pitching coach for my four years at Saint Mary’s.  You really helped me improve my mechanics along the way to become a better pitcher.  Throughout my four years, you have also taught me very valuable things that will use in the real world.  I always loved the group talks with the other pitchers on just random stuff and sports arguments.  You were the guy who could be a laid-back friend and coach at the same time while still getting work done on the field or in the RAC.  Your dedication towards this program and this university is outstanding and I will always respect you for that.  Keep trying to convince the guys that classic rock is better to listen to during warm up and CP.  If I get the opportunity to be a pitching coach, I will use everything that you have taught me to improve others’ game.

Coach Whaley – I would also like to thank you for everything you taught me my senior year at Saint Mary’s.  You were the coach that had the wisdom through many years of coaching experience before Coach Winecke.  Thanks for also lending me your practice shorts, since a certain someone decided to steal mine.

To all the seniors, I appreciate all the great experiences we’ve had together.  Former roomies:  Kyle (Servpiece), Teddy, and Mikey, thanks for being such great friends.  We’ve been through a lot of great times together.  Whether it was Teddy and Mikey (Deals) playing Call of Duty or zombies nonstop in Gillmore, or Servy kicking my butt in NHL ’11 (Chel) and NFL arguments, I’m thankful to have spent four years with you guys.  I still think Christian Ponder has potential, but we’ll see.  Tessmer, you always tried to have fun and tease with my temper, but I have the outmost respect for you.  I know for a fact that you will be very successful, there’s no question.  Keep doing what you’re doing man.  Minder, you were always a good guy to be around, just being very chill all the time.  I will always remember your pitching performance against your former team GAC.  Nord, I want to thank you for being there when I first transferred in and helping me get used to the university lifestyle.  Vince, thanks for everything you’ve done for this team.  Even though we didn’t necessarily have captains on the team, you were the one to step up and lead.  Hope all goes well in the future.

To all the juniors, you guys are a great group with a ton of character and potential.  Paul (Poptart), I have so much respect for you.  With your knowledge of the game and leadership, you will do great things in the future.  Gannon and Krieger, you guys are quite the characters on the team.  You always made everything that much more fun to be around.  Thelemann (Thele), I still can’t believe that your Chel ’11 team was ranked top 50 in the world on Xbox Live.  You’ve been a great teammate and I’m thankful for that.  Tommy (Merky-waters), you were such a phenomenal friend and a hard worker.  In my opinion, you have earned a ton for what you’ve given to this program.  Keep it up man.  Wolfe, when Coach mentioned your name that you were coming on board, I thought it would be a neat experience since we were former rivals in high school.  I’m proud to have played with you for two years.  Schlemmer (Schlem-dawg), your hacking skills are unbelievable.  When I first met you, I honestly thought you transferred in from a junior college.  There are only a few others that come close to your knowledge of sports and I will always remember our “polite” arguments on sports topics.  I wish you the best man.

To all the sophomores, I can’t wait to see you guys as seniors two years from now when I come visit your games.  You guys all get along so easily and will have great leadership.  Merkle, I never really enjoyed playing catch with you since you would take 40 minutes, literally.  I loved doing the impression of you when a ball would get by.  Besides the joking around, you’re a truly a great kid who can lead the pitching staff, along with others.  Regan (Reeeeegs), “all-arrrright.”  You were a good friend to have on the team and I appreciate the good times we had together.  I know you can also be a great leader as well on the pitching staff down the road.  Barry (Bawwwy), keep doing your pushups and 3 workouts a day.  Can’t stop, won’t stop.  Keep working hard man.  Tyler (Ty-Ty), I still think Eric Church is fake, you can’t compare to the King (George Strait).  In all honestly, along with Merkle and Regan, you guys provide the leadership for the staff.  Keep doing what you’re doing man.  Chris (Chubs), you always cheered me up with your humor.  I still can’t believe how fast you are for your stature.  Drew, keep working hard man, you have a ton of potential.  Serres, love the way you power clean.  Keep it up.

To the entire freshman crew, you guys can keep improving this program.  I can tell there’s a lot of dedication, which I have already seen in my last year here.  If you guys stick together and keep pushing one another, you can do wonders for this program in the future.  Peder Sviggum, my man, the other country boy.  Love those dance moves.  I’m asking you and Serres to keep teaching these city boys how to power clean.  Other than that, I see great potential at every position.  Johnson, Dawson, Willie, Cale, Rayce, AJ, Ram, Powers, Steph, Zappa, Frosty, Hunter, the Mileys, Whitey, Kiesner, Ketchmark, and Rolain, thanks for being a great group of teammates.  I’m challenging one of you guys to be the guy that dead sprints the last lap of the midnight mile.

Thanks to the managers: Scotty, Ricky, and Joe for all their hard work

Lastly, I want to thank all of the friends and supporters that have cheered us on through highs and lows through the years.  You guys are the best.  Thanks again to everyone for such a wonderful four years at Saint Mary’s University.