Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

I have had an atypical journey here at Saint Mary’s. God called me here for my first year as a freshman, balancing a demanding basketball schedule and an equally demanding schedule discerning a vocation to the Catholic Priesthood. After a year, I felt called somewhere else and spent a year working with NET Ministries at a Catholic high school in the Twin Cities working with Campus Ministry. After that year away, much like the prodigal son, I returned to a community with arms outstretched ready to welcome me home. The one thing I will be forever grateful for during my time at Saint Mary’s is the outstanding community.
    
First and foremost, I am grateful for my family. Mom and Dad always supported me in whatever I chose to pursue. Being a three-sport athlete, a lot of their time was spent driving me to practices and spending late nights on the road to watch me play. My sisters were great sports role models for me, always being some of my biggest fans in middle and high school. Being the youngest boy with three older sisters, they all got married to some awesome guys who were also great role models for me growing up. They have been my biggest fans and I grateful for them. My girlfriend Christina has also been a strong support for me, sacrificing a lot to allow me to do what I love while building our relationship.
    
Second, I need to thank those most directly involved in my development as a player in my early years. My first year, I learned a lot about the college game from my coaches Todd and Kevin Landrum. My body never would have survived the daily grind of a college basketball season without Trainer Bill Rossini. Beyond being a trainer, he was a great friend and mentor while he was here. Coach Ryan Wockenfuss was a valuable resource for me as well as a great mentor. Coach Matt Johnson also helped me develop my game in his time here.
    
Third, I would like to thank those faculty and staff of the university who have supported me during my time playing basketball. Ann Merchlewitz - for adopting our team and being an awesome super fan. Brother William Mann - For dropping by at practice occasionally and always making time to chat when I saw him. Brother Frank Carr - For attending all our home games and for cooking us an awesome meal 2 years in a row. Nikki Fennern - For always being available to listen to our concerns and leading the university’s athletic programs well.
    
Fourth, I need to thank my head coach, Jamison Rusthoven. My 1st year back playing for Rusthoven was not an easy year, with plenty of setbacks coming up to distract me and instill plenty of doubts. I had many conversations with him that helped center me and keep the big picture in mind. Beyond simply talking about basketball issues, we talked about life and what it takes to be a man. His life experience was invaluable for my development both as a player and as a young man. The importance his family plays in his life, as well as his perseverance through hardship in order to follow his dream and pursue his passion is inspiring to me. He is always straight up with us and pushes us to be our best at all times. He knows our potential and only gets mad when we don’t play to that potential. He does not expect perfection; he expects our perfect effort. Also, Coach Peterson deserves some thanks for the short time I have known him. Always telling it how it is and making jokes are some of my favorite things about him. I appreciated his passion and fire both in practice and during games.
    
Lastly, to all my teammates throughout the years - for providing me with plenty of laughs, as well as sharing all the joys and sorrows of winning and losing. It is sometimes hard to see the big picture, but with them, I have been able to persevere through the losses in order to advance the program and get the victories when we can. Enjoy your time here and make the most of every opportunity. Those 6am lifts and 18 hills are the worst thing in the world when you’re doing them, but looking back, I am grateful for the opportunities I had to strengthen myself both physically and mentally in order to be the best basketball player I could be. I know sometimes it is hard to see the forest through the trees, but as one who has been wandering around the forest for a few years, rest assured that you’re all moving in the right direction. I will miss you all and I can’t wait to watch you play in the coming years.
    
I won’t go down in Saint Mary’s basketball history as one of the greatest players in the history of the program. I chose to play college basketball because it was a passion of mine and has helped develop me as a person. There were good games and bad, we won some and we lost some, but the memories I made and the values I learned will stick with me long after I am gone. There are hundreds of people I could have thanked on my journey thus far; however, I am already getting a little long-winded, but you all know who you are. I am forever indebted to the Saint Mary’s community and would like to give a final thank you as I move on from the university, well equipped for whatever awaits me.