Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

It feels like just yesterday I was getting dropped off here at Saint Mary’s and getting moved into my freshman dorm room.  These four years have been filled with some ups and some downs, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  Playing baseball has been a huge part of my life ever since my dad started playing catch with me in the backyard.  I owe a lot to the game of baseball and a lot to Saint Mary’s for giving me the chance to realize my dream of playing college baseball.  There are so many people to thank for shaping me into the man that I am today.  It would be impossible for me to express in this document how grateful I am to all of these people for supporting me over the years, but I’ll give it my best shot.

First off I would like to thank my parents, Mark and Pam.  You gave me the tools to be successful on the baseball diamond and in life.  I owe you guys so much; you allowed me to achieve my dream of playing college baseball.  The support you guys gave me throughout the years is the reason I am the person I am today.  Words cannot express how thankful I am to call you guys my parents, I love both of you and you both deserve all the thanks in the world.

Dad you have always been there for me.  You have taught me so much about life and working hard for what you want.  I love talking baseball with you, even when you decide to text me a novel and it takes me 15 minutes to read through the whole thing.  I guess I can forgive you for getting lost on the way to the Richfield tournament.  Words cannot express how thankful I am for everything you have done for me over the years, I hope that when I become a dad I can become half the dad you are.

Mom thank you for always being there for support and for a quick trip down to Winona for a Sammy’s Pizza.  Your support at all my baseball games has meant the world to me.  I am so thankful that you allowed me to pursue my dreams and supported me throughout everything.

Ryan you are more than just my brother you are my best friend.  You are a great football player and more importantly a great person.  Keep working to get out there on the field you will do great things. 

Grandpa and Grandma thank you for always coming to my games.  I can’t wait to get back home and watch some Westerns with you guys and Tess.  And to the rest of my family thank you for the support throughout the years.
I would also like to thank all of my coaches that I have had in the past.  You guys all believed in me and worked with me throughout the years and made me into the baseball player and man that I am today.

Coach Winecke thank you so much for the opportunity to play college baseball.  It has been a great four years and I have enjoyed every second of it.  Your love for the game is something that inspired me to become a better baseball player.  You pushed me everyday to not only be a better baseball player but a better person.  The lessons that you taught me over these four years are something that I will take with me for the rest of my life.  I am grateful that I had the opportunity to have you as my baseball coach; the program is in good hands.

Coach Jake working with you these past four years have been great.  I loved our chats about MLB the Show.  If you ever want me to show you how to get your guy up to the bigs I could do that.  Your love for Taco Bell inspires me to do great things. You have made this a great experience for me and I am grateful to have you as a coach.

Coach Whaley even though I only got the chance to work with you for one year I am very grateful for that opportunity.  The way that you went about coaching is something that I will take with me for the rest of my life.

Coach Pugh thank you telling me about Saint Mary’s and helping me set up a visit with the coaches.  Also thank you for letting me help out with the legion team the past few years you have taught me a lot on and off the field.

I would also like to thank all the professors at Saint Mary’s that were willing to work with me throughout these four years.  You have all had a big influence on my life and on my career path.  Also I would like to thank the training staff for helping me through my injuries and letting me know how inflexible I am. 

The decision to attend Saint Mary’s and play baseball was the best decision I’ve made in my entire life.  The times I spent with all of you guys will never be forgotten I truly have enjoyed every second of it.  I really cannot believe how fast these four years went it feels like yesterday I was walking out to the field for my first practice.  The memories I have made on the field and off the field are things that I will remember for the rest of my life. 

To all the guys that graduated before us, thank you for showing us the ropes and showing us what it takes to be successful in college baseball.  All of you had a strong impact on my life and I cannot begin to thank you for everything you taught me.

Brother Leopold 201-Servais, Thelemann, Jimmy, Barry, and Tester. Living with you guys this year has been a blast, we’ve had a lot of fun and made some great memories.  Servais you have been a great teammate over these past four years but more importantly a great friend.  Watching you play this year has been great, you are a great catcher and a great hitter, but remember my homerun was further.  Even though I hate your guts you have become one of my best friends.  Thank you for making this experience so much fun can’t wait to make some trips down to the Valley.  Thelemann I think we can all agree that you have the best arm when it comes to throwing strawberries.  We can also always count on you to eat all of the pizzas that we buy.  I’m glad that we got the chance to live together and be teammates these past three years.  Thank you for always providing entertainment for the room and losing wrestling matches to Sully.  Jimmy I’m so glad that you came to Saint Mary’s, you’ve been a great friend these past two years.  I know it will gonna be a tough year for you if the Vikings decide to get rid of Kluwe.  You will always be the biggest stud roaming this campus.  Barry even though technically you didn’t live in 201 you were like a roommate to me this year.  Make sure you get some new dance moves for next year six.  When you are hitting next year make sure you don’t white knuckle the bat.  Getting to know you these past two years has been great you are a great baseball player and great friend.   Tester Bro I know you were only a roommate for a few weekends but you are one of my best friends and have always been a great person to talk baseball with.  I can’t wait to coach with you this summer hopefully at Arcadia Days we don’t get bounced out of any clubs.  You will always be the legend of SMU making dreams come true.

Seniors: The journey we have had over the last four years has had some ups and downs but I could not ask for a better group of guys to go through this journey with. Mikey I will always remember our baseball and life chats, you truly are the best teammate a guy could ask for.  I’m so glad that we’ve been able to hang out and make some memories over these past four years.  Your music selection will always be questionable along with your dance moves.  Thank you for being a great teammate and a great friend.  Ted I’m still convinced that the reason they outlawed the old bats is because of that homerun you hit freshman year during fall ball.  But in all reality it’s been great playing with you and I’m really looking forward to coaching with you this summer.  To this day I don’t know how you lived with Mike for two years? Well I guess that’s one of lifes little mysteries.  Krone, Lewiston’s finest; it has been great getting to know you these past four years.  You are a great teammate and no one rocks John Deere gear better than you.  Even though I student taught at St. Charles I’m glad you looked past that and still talked to me.  The farm is in great hands with you and I wish you nothing but the best K-Spinner.  NOW WE GO KRONE!!!!  Vince it’s been a crazy journey, I think at heart we’ll always be St. Joes Jets.  Playing with you over the years has been great you are a great baseball player and a great competitor.  Thanks for being a great teammate over the four years.  Nordy it’s crazy how things workout but getting to know you over these past 8 years have been great.  You are truly the goofiest lefty I have met; catching for you back in the day was always great.  Thanks for being a great teammate over the years.  Minder I’m glad you decided to leave the dark side (Gustavis Adolphus) and come to Saint Mary’s.  It’s been great playing with you on the Cardinals and on the Hens.  You will always be my favorite pitcher to play defense for.

Juniors: The past three years have been great getting to know all of you.  The program will be in great hands with you guys as seniors next year.  Gannon I don’t think I’ve met anyone who manages a video game dynasty better than you.  New Mexico State is in good hands with you at the helm.  Krieger I apologize for leaving the MVP Saint Mary’s video game dynasty because of personal issues, apparantly it was a rough semester for me.  Paulie I will always remember Storytime with Big Paulie you were really able to bring the stories too life.  Maybe in the future we can catch an Adele concert I hear she is great in concert.  Merky Waters you are truly one of the greatest team guys I have ever met.  It was great getting to know you over these past couple of years.  I’m glad we can agree that the Mannings will always be better QB’s than Tom Brady.  Also make sure to stay out of trouble ya criminal.  Wolfey it’s nice that you started talking to other people besides Paulie this year.  I’m going to miss being a show poney with you and Big Pete.  Schlemm Dog Millz I’m glad you introduced me to Madden Ultimate Team and showed me your ways.  Talking sports with you is always something that I look forward too even though your generally wrong.

Sophomores: Even though we’ve only had two years together it has been great getting to know all of you guys.  You guys are all great baseball players and will continue to grow on and off the field in the next couple of years.  Merkle you are truly one of a kind.  Make sure you don’t get zoned up to early before a start I’m not trying to run poles at a 6:30 mile pace the day before a game.  Tyler I’ve decided to take your black V-neck shirt, it looks better on me anyways.  I’m glad that I’ve gotten to know you over these past couple of years.  Maybe this summer we can make a trip to Winona and get some burnt cinnamon rolls.  Chubs I still haven’t seen Wreck it Ralph but hopefully at some point we can hang out and watch it together.  It has been great getting to know you, you are a great friend.  I’m glad you love cookie jar blizzards as much as I do.  If you ever need anyone to crush your oreos in the future just give me a call.  I loved our chats about baseball keep working on your game and good things will come.  My Dad’s the Mayor!  Drew when you finally admit that you were never an Oregon football fan and that you just hopped on their bandwagon life will be much easier for you.  Regan I am convinced that Matt Rowley is your brother.  Seany keep working hard at pitching.  Keys when you do number toss next year remember you only toss one ball and the batter is the one who calls out the number.

Freshmen: Even though I have only known you guys for a year you guys have all had an impact on me.  Keep working hard for your remaining three years and enjoy every second of it.  Willie it was great to be your teammate this season you are a great player. Make sure to hit the weight room next off season you could really use it.  Cale thank you for introducing me to the show Too Cute you were a great roommate down in AZ.  Miley brothers it was great getting to know both of you guys this year.  Kevin keep working hard you’ll always be an outfielder in my heart.  Joe good luck in future matches; keep working on your goaltending.  Team Osseo: Whitey I’m still confused as to how you got that nickname, I guess I’ll never know.  Johnson when Whitey loses all of his money because of Veema promise me you’ll be there for him. Scats your snapchats of Mindy always made me laugh.  Hunter I’m jealous you get to room with the biggest stud on campus next year Big Pete.  Big Pete you are truly the man. It was great getting to know you this year ya show poney. Your dance moves are much better than Frost’s.  Redders stop making bets with Thelemann; you can’t beat him in chel.  Rayce I was wondering do you go tanning? Dawson please stop being so crabby all the time and enjoy Calc II. Frost you still owe me like 4 bags of Cool Ranch Doritoes, I’ll take them whenever.  Rolain keep working hard and use those wheels. Ram-Rod you are the best catch partner a guy could ask for. I’m still a little hurt that you left me for the pitchers but I guess that’s the way she goes.  Powers when you steal other teams signs make sure their pitching coach doesn’t find out.  Ketchmark man of few words.  Zappa did you ever find that protein bar that you lost at the dome?  It is impossible for me to express how much all of you guys as teammates have meant to me over these past four years. 

To anyone that I have missed know that I am thankful for everything that you have done for me over the years. Knibb High Football Rules!