Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

It’s hard to believe that my time here at SMU is almost over.  Baseball has been such a huge part of my life.  Transferring to SMU has been one of the best decisions that I have made.  Not only for the baseball side of it, but also for everyone that I have met during my time here.  I have grown as a player and as a person because of it.  I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to represent this university and meet some of my best friends.

I would first like to thank my parents, Greg and Laurie.  You guys are the reason for making all of this possible.  I have always been to count on you.  You have always inspired me to be the best person I can be and try my hardest.  No words can really show how much I appreciated you guys.  Dad, I will never forget the days when you used to coach me.  You help me grow has a person and a player.  You were always there to throw me BP or play catch.  Mom, I can always count on you to try to cheer me up after a bad day.  You have also been a huge help since day 1 and I don’t know what I would do without you.  I would also like to thank my brother Ryan.  I have always looked up to you.  You were always there to push me when we were younger and having the chance to play sports with you has always been one of my favorite things to do.

Coach Winecke – It has been a great experience playing for you these past four years.  You have taught me a lot about the game and have helped me grow not only as a player, but as a person too.  I will never forget the day I visited SMU and the first couple months here.  Even though I maybe said five words in the first couple months, you stuck with me.  Your love for the game has a positive effect on everyone.  Thanks for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this program.  I am going to miss everything about this program and I know that you will continue to work really hard to make it the best it can be.

Coach Jake – Take a lap.  I have had a blast working with you and the pitching staff over these past four years.  You have taught me a lot when it comes to catching and working with pitchers.  I can always count on have a good chat with you about anything.  You are always on top of your game when it comes to pregame speeches.  I know you will continue to work the pitchers hard to reach their full potential.  And no, Taco Bell is not healthy for you. 

Coach Whaley – I loved having you as a catching coach this year.  You know so much about the game and are a great teacher.  You definitely helped prepare me for my senior season.  Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to help makes the catchers and the rest of the team successful. 

Tess – Strike 3! You have been one of my best friends throughout college.  I can always count on you for a good bro chat.  It has been great to finally live with you over that past year even though your sleep schedule is so messed up and I have to put up with the rest of the random things you do.  For some reason, you ears are your best feature and I’m not the only one you thinks that.  It is still hard to believe that your favorite song is God Gave Me You.  I think everyone on the team can agree my home run went way farther than your pop up that got pushed out by the wind.  End of discussion.

Mike – I HATE YOU.  It has been great to get to know you and live with you for two years even though you play the song Baggage Claim way more than you should along with plenty of other songs.  It’s always great having chats with you and some off the best times at college have been just hanging out together.  Just remember that I will always be a better wrestler and I will always be faster than you.

Teddy – Let’s be honest, Mike was the one who broke your PlayStation 3 and I took the blame for it because I’m a nice person.  You and Mike were my first friends at SMU and always invited me to hang out in Benilde back when I never talked.

Vince – Even though you couldn’t handle catching freshmen year, it has been fun to see how you have adapted to whatever position you were asked to play.  I could also count on you to bring energy and fight for the entire team every day. 

Krone – Hey Peps.  It was nice not being the only person to transfer in freshmen year.  I hope you still find a way to get in all those power cleans in on the farm.  Many people may think you are a scary looking individual but I could tell you were a big softy since it was so easy to beat on you in Gilmore and in Arizona.

Nord – It has been fun to work with you and see you grow as a pitcher.  I have enjoyed working with you to become that shutdown lefty out of the pen.

Minder – It has been fun working with you.  I don’t know how you do it but you always find a way to get guys out.

Bro Leo 201 – Tess, Thelly, Jimmy, Barry - What a year it has been.  It’s hard to even know where to start with all the things that we have done this year.  Even though we can all agree that Thelly is the worst roommate possible and had to put up with him, we still love him.  I’m going to miss all the time that we spent together.  There was never a dull moment in the room. 

Thelly – It’s college bro.  Even though you can be a bit too much to handle, it has been great living with you this year.  I can also count on you to play some depressing music.  I’ll never forget how you were the only one to complain about Classic pizza’s yet ate the majority of them since you were too lazy to walk to the cafe.  I know you will never admit it but I am a better golfer than you are and you are the only person that would fall out of the golf cart.

Jimmy – I am so glad that you decided to transfer to SMU.  It was great to get to know you and even better living with you this year.  I can always count on getting a random hug from you, even if you woke me up at 3 a.m. 

Barry – Hey 6.  It has been great to get to know you this past year.  We spent a ton of time together this past year and I did my best to keep you out of trouble.  I will never forget the classic fist pumps.  I have never seen a person take more “breaks” in the library than you.  I will never let you drive my car again after you got it towed this past winter. 

Paul – It has been great playing with you the past three years.  You have a ton of knowledge about the game.  It is always fun watching you be that little pest out on the bases.  There has to be something about Mahtomedi kids and being little thieves.  Quit trying to take everyone’s snacks.  Now you know!

Krieger – I experience some of my favorite days of class with you in Federal Tax.  The day we made a collage of pimped home runs and then the day we watched Brink on your computer.  Thanks for washing my extremely dirty pants after every game.

Gannon – If school doesn’t work out, I think there will always be a spot in the Rap business.  Keep swinging the big stick and having lots of style over at first.

Wolfe – It’s been great to see you come out of your shell this year.  We have had some great laughs.  Just try not to turn into Paul too much.  Kid’s no good.

Merk – It has been great working with you every day.  You work really hard and are always pushing other people.  Keep wearing those shades and try and stay out of trouble…for once, ya criminal. 

Schlem – I can always count on you to start some sort of argument on any topic.  Even though you are wrong most of the time, it’s fun to watch how excited you get.  You have a ton of potential.  Your teammates are always there for you.

Chubs – Yeah you?  You are like a younger brother to me.  I can always count on you for a good laugh.  You are the biggest child I know.  I am going to miss not being able to hang out with you all the time.  If you ever need your Oreos crushed for your ice cream, you can always give me a call.  “I think, we all think the bags were a nice idea.  Not to point any fingers, they could have been done better.”

Krysiak – Tyty – We have become great friends over the last two years.  Quit stealing my North Face jacket and then not tell me about it for a week.  I’ll never forget our mound celly’s after you close the game.

Miley bros – I am so glad that I had the chance to get to know you two.  All the talks that we have had and comments about something that only certain people would understand are great.  You guys are going to have to keep me updated on some of the jokes next year so I can still join.  Just remember, if the Buick breaks down, the BUSS is always available.

Team Osseo – It has been real interesting working with you two.  Whitey, you still find ways to surprise me.  You have gotten better, but the freshmen excuse doesn’t work anymore. I know you will be lost without me.  It was great having you as a catch partner.  Whoever you play catch with next year, you better hit them in the chest.  Johnson, it was great catching for you all year.  I appreciate the fast tempo you have on the mound.  Look after you roommate for me.

Merkle – Big Merk – Most people would think it is never good to be known as the dugout bandit but you take pride in it.  Keep working on your game and take it easy on Chubs.

Regan – You will never live that fine down.

Drew – Although most people don’t care, I know you will keep us updated on Oregon and the Braves.

To all the freshmen, it was great to get to know you guys over the year.  You all have a lot of potential to help the program during your time here.  Steph, I am glad I got to catch you this year.  It has been great to see you get better with each start.  Frost, you dance moves will never be better than Peder’s.  I’m sure you will get booed off more than once.  Willie, I am always up for a good race.  Since I am faster than Mike, I am probably faster than you too.  Keep taking hacks and swiping bags.  Cale, you and Willie can thank me for some of those fun nights that we had.  Keep getting better on the mound big man.  Daws 1/2/3/I lost count, don’t be afraid to mix in a smile.  Peder, you are one of a kind.  I’ve never seen a kid dance like you do in the dugout.  It’s always a great time quoting movies with you.  Stay classy you Hulk.  Powers, keeps stealing those signs from the other teams coach.  I will never forget what the Bethel coach did when he caught you.  Zapps, you are always up to something new.  Hunter, keep taking monster hacks my man.  Rayce, there is no need to go tanning that much.  Rolain, keep working hard.  Sean, keep working on hitting your spots and your time will come.  Redders, I hate hitting off you but I love catching for you.  Keep working hard.  Also, don’t forget to work on your NHL game, it needs some work.  Ram, keep showing off that canon.  Ketchmark, it was great having you as part of the catching squad.  Kiesner, keep working hard man.  Ricky and Scotty, thanks for everything you guys do to help the team be successful.

I would also like to thank all of my professors and previous teammates here for helping me grow on and off the field.  If I have left anyone out, I am sorry that I missed you, but I thank you for helping me be successful.