Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Growing up as a kid I loved all sports.  I loved competing but there was something about the game of basketball that stuck.  From the smell of the ball to the sounds of the ball going through the net I grew to truly love this game.  It hard to believe that my four years at Saint Mary’s are almost done but I wouldn’t trade these past four years for anything.  Along my basketball career I have some people I would like to thank that are very important to me.
    
Mom: Thank you for everything you have done for me.  You always supported me all my life especially during my basketball career.  You are such a caring person and always took care of me and I feel blessed to have such a wonderful mother like you.  You instilled great values in me and helped me get closer to God during times when I struggled.  I loved when I would make you rebound for me in the drive way and how I made you make a shot before you could leave.   You are hands down the best cook I know and I love everything you make except when you use the crock pot.  I’m sorry for working on my ball handling in the basement while you were napping or shooting late at night in the snow and making you worry.  I know I was a little bit of a pain as a child but you did a great job raising three kids and that’s very impressive especially with Mary and Sara.  I love you so much and I can’t tell you that enough.
    
Dad:  If it wasn’t for you I don’t think I would have the love for basketball that I do now.  When I was little and you brought me to open gyms where you played I loved watching you play.  I saw how much fun you had playing and I will always remember those memories. You never forced the game on me you showed me how much fun the game was and I am truly grateful for that.  You would help me sneak into the gym and get shots up when we probably shouldn’t have had a key. You are the hardest working man I have ever met and I know that I got my work ethic from you.  You wouldn’t let me quit basketball when I wanted to.  You always supported me and always believed in my dreams when others wouldn’t.  You never missed a game and I really appreciate that.  You always can make me laugh and I love our long car rides to Justin’s games where we would just talk about basketball.  I love you so much thanks for be such a great Dad.
    
Haley: I have never really had someone I could really call a best friend but I can call you my best friend.  I know I can be a little crazy at times but you know me so well that you can find a way to deal with my weirdness.  You have made college so much better than I ever thought it could be.  You always supported me and always helped me especially with my school work.   You are the smartest student I know and you play the game I love which makes me love you more.  You play like your 6’5 when you’re only 5’5 and I really respect how hard you work.  I am so proud of you for staying with basketball and being patient.  It’s all paid off and I’m so happy for you.  You’re an inspiration to me and so many others.  Some of my favorite memories with you are when we played hours of Smash Bros together.  Also l liked the time when we played 1 on 1 and you thought you beat me or having nerf gun battles in your room.  You always know how to have fun and I just wanted to say thanks for everything.
    
Justin: I don’t really know where to start with you man.  You aren’t just my cousin and my friend, I consider you my brother.  You’re so hard working and you have a great personality.  I’ve never seen someone ever shoot as well as you do and I don’t think I ever will.  Some of my favorite memories with you are working out with you in the summer. You have an outstanding work ethic and you’re so fun to watch.  I credit my 1000 points to you because you always pushed me to get better and I just want to say thanks for all the times you shot with me, I will remember that forever.  You are going to be a great player, better than I will ever be and I can’t wait to watch you grow as a person and a player.  To the Ruhbergs, I would like to say thanks for coming to my games and letting me come over to shoot and lift in the shed, I really appreciate it.  
    
Mary and Sara: You guys have been great sisters to me.  You both have outstanding work ethics and I am proud to be your brother.  Id like to thank Sara for helping me with my papers during college I know they were pretty bad.  Mary I know you have been really busy with school but what you’re doing in medical school is incredible.  Thanks for coming to my games in the cities also.  Oh Sara thanks for picking Andy as your husband he’s pretty cool.  I promise to help Caroline with her jump shot when she’s old enough.  Thanks for being great sisters again.
    
Grandparents: I really appreciate you guys coming to my games it means a lot to me.  Grandpa Swiggum thanks for always supporting me and calling me after games and leaving messages about things I can work on for next game.  Grandma Swiggum thanks for always feeding me and letting me stay over. Grandpa Roger I would like to thank you for the long drives from Florida to my games.  I’m truly grateful to have such great grandparents like you guys.
    
Coach Todd/ Kevin:  Without you guys I would have never picked Saint Mary’s.  I miss you both but thanks again for helping me develop into a college basketball player.  
    
Coach Knothe:  Thanks Coach Knothe, you are an incredible coach and I loved learning from you.  You taught me so much on and off the court.  Good luck for the rest of your season you have done an amazing job with those guys.
    
Coach Rustoven and Coach P:  Coach R thanks for teaching me so much about basketball but most importantly about life.  You are doing great things with this program and I wish you the best of luck for the future.  Coach P thanks for always being easy to talk to.  I’m going to miss you talking crap to the guys.
    
Wylie: You pushed me every day in practice to get better.  You really are a great leader!  I’m going to miss our wrestling matches.  Remember when you elbowed me in the throat in practice and I couldn’t talk for a week.
    
Mark: You are the tallest priest I have ever seen but thanks for coming back. We are the only ones who can talk about Coach Todd and those crazy freshman year memories.
    
Connor:  You are the best Madden player I have ever seen and one of the best shooters in the conference.
    
Brandon:  Thanks for always letting me come over to play video games.  I’m still better at Madden than you.
    
Stevie: You are a crazy dude who gets my humor so thanks for always laughing at my jokes.
    
Liam:  The scout team sniper thanks for not hitting too many threes on me.  Oh and Chicago is my city.
    
Aaron and Chad:  The Stillwater homies, you guys are great guys and phenomenal basketball players I am going to miss your jokes and energy on the court.
    
Q:  I don’t think I still know how to pronounce your real name but you really are a great basketball player with a high motor.  Money is the movement!!!
    
Brad: I’m sorry I always scared you in the locker room but thanks for being a great sport about it!  Keep working hard you have a bright future.
    
Jim:  My neighbor, thanks for helping me clean my room and playing call of duty with me.  Oh and you broke that stool not me!
    
Kevin:  You are a great player and strong with the force.  Thanks for talking Star Wars with me man.
    
Riley: You have great style man I think you need to bring back the mullet again.
    
Kai: You are a great player and a funny kid.  We were locker buddies oh and I’m sorry if I smelled sometimes.
    
J.T: You are a great athlete man, keep working.  I will always remember our nerf gun battle and how you shot me in the face.
    
Charles:  I don’t know why but you remind me of my self.  Don’t be nervous though you’re not as weird as me.  We love the same foods and it seems like you know how to piss me off by blocking all my shots in practice.  Keep working hard man you’re a great player.  
    
St. Charles team: I am very proud of you guys.  You truly are one of the best teams St. Charles has ever produced.  You guys are hard workers and just a great group of guys.  I promise to help you guys as much as I can.  Good luck with the rest of the season.  Please just do me one favor and please beat Caledonia!!!!!
    
Kegan and Dayton:  I don’t have much to say to you two goons but I just want to say thanks for getting up at 6 in the morning with me and working out with me.  You both are great players and great friends to me.  Keep working hard I’m proud of you guys.
    
Troms:  Thanks so much for supporting me and my basketball career.  You guys are great people.  Thanks for always feeding me and letting me stay over I really appreciate that.  Give Sadie a treat for me!
    
To the game of basketball I would like to say thank you for everything.  You have taught me so many lessons, many of them were very hard to deal with but it made me a better player and person.  Even though my career at Saint Mary’s is almost over I promise to be involved with this game for the rest of my life.  You have given me so much its only right that I give back to you.  Thank you basketball for all the memories and thank you everyone who was there for the ride.