Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

The past four years of my soccer career has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Over the past four years, I have been able to be a part of building something from the ground up. When I came to Saint Mary’s four years ago, I think that some people on campus did not even know that the school had a soccer program. What we have been able to accomplish as a team over the past four years has been incredible. Some people may look at our win-loss record over the past four years and feel like nothing has changed. To me, the old saying that Rome wasn’t built in a day has never applied to anything in my life more. Being a part of the growth of this program has been a truly rewarding and humbling experience. Everything that I have accomplished over the past four years would not have been possible without a select group of people.
    
Over the past four years, I have had the chance to play with some of the best teammates a guy could ask for. I think it is only appropriate to start off with the guy who taught me what it means to be a college soccer player--Brain Neu. You may never read this, but you are literally the best leader that I have ever met in my life. In the locker room, on the field, in the class room, and outside of school I have never met anyone over my entire sports career that was the type of leader you were. Your dedication and heart was what kept our team in a lot of games my freshmen year. When John McDonough came to Saint Mary’s, he mentioned that in order to be a great athlete you have to walk with a humble swagger, I cannot think of anyone who I have ever met that epitomizes that more than you.
  
Next up is the only other guy who has fought through the entire last four years with me. Graber--I know that the last four years were not easy for us. I remember freshman year, moving into Benilde and all of us talking about how we were going to win the MIAC before we were seniors. Now we are seniors and the only two of all those guys still here. We came in as freshmen with a much different picture of how our four years at SMU would go. I don’t think either one of us had any idea just how hard it is to build a college soccer program. While we may never be able to win the MIAC championship or go to the NCAA tournament ourselves, just always remember that everything this program from this point forward would not possible without the work we put in.
    
To all the juniors on the team right now, as Brito would say “you are the real MVPs.” All of you guys have put in the work needed to turn this program around. I know that sometimes you guys get dejected because things have not always gone our way. Cody and Ryan, you both have truly put your heart and soul into this program. I know that with you guys leading this team it will get where it needs to go. Bosco and Brito, you guys have provided some of the best entrainment on and off the field over the past four years. I have never seen two guys battle, so hard to win a ball when we play in the RAC. Brito you are going to make a great coach someday because you are able to put the team before yourself. Camacho, criminal justice classes with you are always entraining. I can’t wait to come down to Chicago someday and get pulled over by you (of course you’re going to let me off though). Michael Taber, I have never met someone who talks as much as you. I don’t why, but I just have a feeling someday you are going to be a world famous motivational speaker (maybe it’s those pre-game speeches). To all the juniors I didn’t name, I am sorry there are just a lot of you. You guys are all great guys and I have loved getting the chance to play with you over the past three years.
    
For all the freshmen and sophomores, I wish I could have had more time to play with you guys. I can’t think of a single guy who is on the team now that does not belong here. Take it from a guy who has been through the grind the past four years. College will be the best and worst four years of your life. However, this amazing school will give back to you everything that you put into it. I can’t wait to come back in a couple years and watch guys like Levy and Satton leading the way in the nets and Wolt, Butch, and Dimock leading the MIAC in goals. If there is one major piece of wisdom I can pass down, it is to do everything you guys can to stay together. There will be times it get tough and quitting or transferring seem like the right thing to do. However, if you all stay together, I can promise when you write your senior salute in four years, you will be proud you battled it out.
    
To Coach Watkins, without you I never would have had the chance to accomplish everything I have the past four years. I remember being all set to go to the University of North Dakota to run track. I never had the grades in high school to play for the soccer programs that recruited me. Then Coach Watkins got the job at Saint Mary’s and took a chance on me when no one else would. I truly believe that the amazing athletic and academic experiences I have had would not have been possible at any other university other than Saint Mary’s. Thank you for recruiting me and giving me the chance to come here and play for you.
    
Coach Rizzo, some day you will get that race you and I have been talking about for the past two years. However, you may have to give me six months or so to get into the insane shape you are in. Thank you for teaching me the lessons that you have the past two years. Being able to learn from a guy who has taken the same path I want to take has been great for me.
    
Lastly, but definately not least I need to mention the three people who have been the greatest influences on me. Mom and dad, thank you for everything that you have ever done for me. All the 5 o’clock hockey practice and weekend soccer tournaments that you guys got me to where I am today. I know that I was never the easiest child to deal with growing up. My only goal was to make sure that I could make you guys proud after everything you sacrificed so that all your kids could accomplish their dreams. Enjoy your time off now, you two have earned it.
    
Lastly, I need to mention the one person who has made helped me reach the point I am at today. Lindsey, you are the most caring and loving person that I have ever met in my life. You have pushed me to make myself better over the past four years. Excelling both academically and athletically have been in large part due to you. Before I met you I was perfectly content with just gliding through life and doing the bare minimum. You somehow opened my eyes to the amount of potential that I really have. I wake up every day grateful that I am someone like you in my life. The last three years have been a blessing and I look forward to finding out what life brings for us.
    
To sum it all up, I just want to say one more big thank you to all the people who had made my last four years possible. I know I didn’t mention everyone, but it would take an entire book to write a thank you to all amazing people I have met.