Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

I couldn't have asked for a better four years of college. Deciding to play basketball after I graduated high school was one of the best decisions I have made. When I first moved in my freshman year, I called my mom and dad crying about 30 minutes after they left because I didn't want to be here anymore. The first couple weeks were hard, but after we started getting together as a team and working out, things got much better. I not only got close with the team but I made other friends as well. From that moment on, Winona became home. I was more excited to come back to school than stay home most of the time because at home I missed my friends. Some of my favorite memories from college come from this team. Going to Costa Rica, playing games in hotels on road games, nationals my sophomore year, the laughs, the tears, and everything in between. It’s crazy to think the sport I have been playing for 15 years of my life is actually coming to an end. I wouldn't have wanted to spend the last 4 with anyone other than my teammates and coaches that I have had. Here is my attempt at trying to thank everyone for everything they have done for me throughout my basketball career.
    
Mom and Dad: Thank you guys for being my biggest supporters and coming to games whenever you could. Starting when I was in first grade playing BAA basketball, soccer, softball, and volleyball. You made it to every single game and I couldn't be more grateful for such supportive parents. Without you guys, I wouldn't be who I am today. You taught me to never give up and always have fun. Playing basketball these last four years was a lot of fun so I think I listened pretty well. Mom you put thousands of miles on your car to come to basically every single game every year, even when I wasn't getting much playing time and not missing one my senior year. You took countless hours off of work and drove through snow storms just to see me play. That means more than you will ever know.
    
Kyle: Thanks for making it to a game my senior year. Although you were always busy and never came to a ton of my games, you always were waiting at home to compare the bruises and cuts we had, so that was fun. Thanks for throwing and pushing me around when we were younger to make me kinda tough, although still not very strong. Thanks for being the best big brother I could have asked for and supporting me in everything I do.
    
Family: I want to thank everyone else that comes to games whenever they can. Long drives and countless hours of sitting on uncomfortable bleachers just to watch me play the sport that I love means a lot. I can’t believe that it is almost over but I couldn't thank all of you enough for the things you have done for me from the moment I decided I wanted to play sports.
    
Drew: You are the best for being there after every single game to tell me everything that I did good and you were never afraid to point out the bad. You made me the player I have become the last couple years—because you pay attention to the little things that most people don't see. You give the best pre game advice and always know how to motivate me to do better. You have always pushed me to be the best that I can possibly be. Thank you for watching every game online or watching the stats when you weren't able to make it in person, it means more than you know.
    
Coach Pollari: Coming into the season with a new coach, no one really knew what to expect. I think you found the perfect fit with our team. Although learning a whole new offense and defense was pretty challenging at first, you made it as easy as possible for us and never gave up. Your basketball knowledge and the fact that you always had new plays that helped us adapt to every situation we were put in has made our season very successful. Thank you for all the hours you put into this team not only at practice, but watching film, making practice plans, and everything else that we don't even know about. Thank you for making my senior year one that I will never forget.
    
Coach Crane: Thanks for coming to little Saint Mary’s and coaching us this year. You helped us every single practice to become the team that we are right now. I hope you had as much fun as we all had this year.
    
Coach Kellen: Your basketball knowledge is so great, you pay attention to the little details and always told us ways we could fix everything to get better. Even though you weren't at practice everyday, your contribution to the team this year was huge. Thank you for all the advice you gave me this year, it wasn't only basketball advice, it was everyday advice that I can take with me after I graduate.
    
Coach Pearson and Coach F: One of the main reasons I decided to come to Saint Mary’s was because I wanted to play for you guys, so when I heard you wouldn't be back for my senior season I was pretty sad. Although I think we all were sad, we were happy that you were able to move up to the D2 level at Duluth. My first three seasons as a Cardinal were years that I will never forget. I learned more in those three years than I learned in middle and high school combined. Your basketball knowledge and love for the game is bigger than I have ever seen from any coaches I have played for before. The pranks were an added bonus. I will never forget putting a spider in Coach Pearson’s jacket and seeing your reaction, then getting a text from Coach F a couple days later saying that she used the same spider to scare Coach Pearson again. We all got payback for it when we went to practice a couple days later being told that we could all have lice. I hope you are both loving it up at Duluth!
    
Coach Boese: Remember that time I won a competition at practice and my prize was to wear the batman onesie that you had? That was for sure the last thing that I was expecting for a prize, but it was a lot of fun! Missed having you coach us this year, but I hope all is well.
    
Coach Sagar: My freshman and sophomore year before you came, I was little and not strong at all. Now my arms are still really little, but I like to think that I am at least a little bit stronger. Waking up at 5:30, four times a week during pre-season is definitely hard, but I never complained because I knew your workouts would be worth it. You're dedication to every single athlete here is amazing. You work harder than any of us to come up with the perfect running workout and lifting as well that fits each team and each individual. You have made every single team better and stronger the last two years and I can’t wait to see how much better each team gets in the future. Thank you for all your time and effort put into this team!
    
Professors and Saint Mary’s faculty: Thanks for all the support you have all given us over the last 4 years I have been here. I will never remember my sophomore year when we had playoffs over Spring Break and over half of the faculty came to the game to support us because all the students had gone home. It was an experience that I will never forget. Dr. Klosky, I love your support for our team, you missed very few games in the last four years, it means a lot to see professors that I know come support us. Helps keep the home court advantage alive. Thank you all again.
    
Past Teammates and Andrew: Thank you all for setting a huge example of what it means to be on a very successful team. Coming into college, I was the little shy freshman that never really talked and was probably really weird and awkward. Sophomore year, I came out of my shell a little more and had an amazing time going to nationals with the team. You guys made the first three years at Saint Mary’s unforgettable. Watching you all graduate year by year was so sad and now its my turn to graduate which is still so weird to me. I miss all of you very much and hope that everything you are all doing now is exactly what you wanted to be doing after graduation. Andrew, we definitely missed you this year, you were the best manager that Saint Mary’s has ever had. Not having you around this year really proved how much you did for us. I hope you are loving life back in Chicago! Feel free to come visit one weekend before school is over!
    
Haley: I could probably write 10 pages about our friendship and how close we have gotten over the last four years but I don't think other people would find that very interesting. They don’t lie when they say that you meet your best friends in college. I couldn’t imagine my life without someone who understands me the way you do. It all started freshman year with our addiction to One Tree Hill and being on the white team together. Then our addiction to Criminal Minds and video games sophomore year. I can’t believe that it is almost over, next year when school starts, you will be in La Crosse, and I will probably still be trying to figure my life out. I am so glad we both came to Saint Mary’s to play basketball, you pushed me when I didn’t want to practice some days and I hope I did the same for you. It’s crazy to think that we won’t be doing post season or ever putting on that SMU jersey again next year, but this season isn't over yet so lets finish this year strong and make it far. Love you Haley! Can’t wait for the last couple months of our senior year together.
    
Bridget: I can’t believe that our senior year is almost over. At the beginning of the year we talked about not having to do post-season this year and now it is so sad that it’s almost here. I am so glad I got to spend these four years with you, you pushed me to work harder every single day and I always tried to do the same for you. I can’t believe that its almost over. I loved running the floor this year and having you throw the most amazing passes through at least 3 people on the other team, and somehow get me a wide open layup. I’m sure some of the passes made everyone in the crown hold their breath, but you knew where I would be and always got it there. The number of assists you have had this year are completely dominating the MIAC and that’s so cool. So proud of all the work you put in to get better for your senior year. Wouldn’t want to spend these four amazing years with anyone else. Thanks for always being there for me and thank you for braiding my hair before every game this year and almost every game our first 3 years too! Love you Bridge!
    
Aude: My mom taught me that if I don’t have anything nice to say, then I can’t say it at all :)
    
Sam: I have loved playing basketball with you the last 3 years. You have gotten so much stronger and I can’t to come to some games next year and watch you continue to get better. Your defense against the biggest and strongest posts in the conference is so great. You held players to way under their average multiple times and helped us win some really important games. I don't get how you play through pain, I feel like something is almost always wrong but you play through it like nothing. Thanks for not only being an amazing teammate but also a really great friend!
    
Emma: You are an amazing bball player, the way you can dribble through anyone in the MIAC basically whenever you want to is amazing. Can’t wait to watch games next year with your new shooting technique. Shooting 3’s using the backboard will be a new trend that everyone will want to follow. Like everyone says, you are the magician, so I'm sure your 3 point percentage would be like 72% if you did that. But seriously, its a good idea. Good luck next year, keep dominating in both basketball and soccer.
    
Aude: Just kidding!!! Everything I can say about you is nice! Thanks for being one of my best friends. I wouldn’t want to sit through 3 hour classes with anyone but you. Our unexpected ice cream dates have always been my favorite, sitting at culvers and just talking about life is one of my favorite things to do. You go out of your way for others when they need you and we can always count on you to answer a question with a super sassy or sarcastic comment. You always know when something is wrong and know what to say to make everything better. Thanks for being the best lifting buddy ever, best intramural working partner, and the most amazing friend. Even though we are still super confused on how we became so close your freshman year, I am so glad it happened because I couldn't imagine my life without you. Sorry you missed out on playing most of the season, but I am glad you are back and almost 100 percent now. Good luck with your senior year and with everything you do after that. Can’t wait to come visit whenever I can. Love you Aude! :)
    
Rae: Your hard work and determination is something that I wish everyone had. From the day you first came to practice until now, I don't think I have ever seen you at practice or anywhere else without a smile on your face. I think it is obvious to everyone that you love the sport and are always not only trying to make yourself better, but you do anything and everything to make every single person on this team better as well. So glad you were on the team! You're an amazing teammate!
    
Lex: Remember that one time you thought we had an away game and brought all of your away stuff to the locker room? Good times :) I hope you have a good locker buddy that comes and takes my spot next year, the last two years next to you was great. Cannot wait to see how much you improve over the summer. Keep getting working hard and get stronger with Sagar’s workouts and you will dominate next year. Can’t wait to watch you play again next year.
    
Mary: I am definitely going to miss your random stories that have nothing to do with what everyone else is talking about! hahaha You are an amazing person and I cannot wait to watch you continue to grow as a player over the next three years. Your hard work at practice made us successful this year. Keep working as hard as you can in everything you do because hard work really does pay off :) Good luck next year and every year after that. I can’t wait to come visit. PS. every time I hear “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” I will forever think of that video you sent me.
    
Brandi: Way to come in this year and just completely dominate. I have loved playing with you and watching you out jump literally every single player in the MIAC. I can’t wait to watch you play volleyball and basketball next year and the years after that. As just a freshman you have been amazing at both sports. You just make it look so easy, getting offensive rebounds and just putting it right back up. Keep working hard to get better and I can’t wait to keep hearing your name winning all the MIAC awards.
    
Kirsten: Can’t wait for you to get better and come back next year better and stronger than ever. Being injured is always hard but its how you come back that defines you. I think you will have no problem getting back into things next year and help Emma at the point. You're an amazing player and you just seem so calm when you're playing the point, you can dribble through anyone and I will be rooting for you next year watching all of the games. Love ya Keesha! :)
    
Kenzie: Kenzzzz!! You have not only grown as a player, but you have grown as a person as well. Moving away from home is always hard, but once you adjusted you really came out of your shell, I have loved getting to know you so well this year. Being on a small team gave me the chance to be close to you and all of the other freshman which has been amazing. Keep working hard the next three years, it goes by really fast so don't take advantage of it. Good luck with basketball and everything else next year!
    
Saint Mary’s friends and roomies: Thank you all for coming to my games and supporting me whenever you could. I loved looking up in the stands and seeing you guys there cheering for me. It wouldn't be a home court advantage without you all there supporting us at every home game.
    
I want to thank every single person who has helped me become the person and player that I am today. I know there are so many people who have helped me that I missed, all of my previous coaches in high school and teachers, but I am truly thankful for everyone in my life. Knowing that my basketball career is almost over is something that hasn't hit me yet, but I know it will tonight. Senior night has always been a sad night because you are saying goodbye to all of your friends but you move on to the next year with without them and with new freshman. But this year I have to say goodbye to all of my closest friends which is something that I am not ready for yet. It has been an amazing four years. I couldn’t imagine going anywhere other than Saint Mary’s because I wouldn't have met the people I did or had the same basketball career that I have had. It is really sad that it is almost over, but iI am happy that I have such amazing memories that I will have to hold on to for the rest of my life. You will forever be my Cardinal Basketball Family. Love you all.