Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

In my four years at Saint Mary’s, I think this has been the hardest thing I have had to write. I have been playing and watching softball since first grade and can’t believe it is coming to an end. These past four years being a part of the SMU softball team are four years I will never forget. I remember walking out the field for the first time during fall ball and instantly having a feeling of happiness for having the ability to play this amazing sport that was shortly followed by panic of the first day of season. I was not originally thinking about playing softball in college, but I am so glad I did because these last four years have changed my life and I will never forget them. My first year playing at Saint Mary’s was nothing like what I was expecting. Coming into my junior year as a part of the team, I was unfortunately cut as a player, but had no idea what was to come next. I was asked to be manager by Miller and CBray and instantly knew I was going to say yes. I would no longer be playing my favorite sport, but being a part of the team and helping out was just as satisfying for me. I would like to thank many people for support over my years playing softball because I would not be where I am today if they did not support me.
    
Dad:
Thank you for introducing me to the game of softball in the first place. I remember when I quit soccer and I could tell you were eager to introduce me to another sport and I am so happy you choose softball. I was hesitant at first and didn’t want to attended practice, but once I was on the field I loved it and never looked back. My love for the game only grew over the years when we started watching our favorite baseball team, the Boston Red Sox, together. Thank you so much for introducing me to the game. I would not be where I am without you! Love you!
    
Mom:
Thank you for supporting me on and off the field. Thank you for driving me to all my tournaments and watching every game. Thank you for supporting me when I decided to play college softball and when I decided to become manager. Your support means everything to me and I will always be grateful for that. Thank you for being the best mom ever! I love you!
    
Mike:
Thank you for being the best brother a sister could ask for. Thank you for coming to my tournaments and watching me play. Good luck with the rest of college and kick butt!
  
Coach Miller:
Thank you so much for these past four years.  I have learned so many things and know I will use them when I graduate. I also want to thank you so much for asking me to be manager for the past two years. It meant so much to me when you asked if I would like to be manager because it meant I would still be involved in the sport I loved and wouldn’t be sitting on the other side of the fence. I have enjoyed working the basketball games with you the last three years and will miss working them next year. Thank you so much for being my coach.
    
CBray:
Thank you so much for being my coach for the past three years. Even though you may not be a coach at SMU anymore, you are still one of the reasons I am on this team. I want to thank you for coming and watching a game of mine in high school, and even though I didn’t play, I still got a text from you after which meant a lot. I also want to thank you for asking me to be manager last year. I was never expecting to be asked to be manager and I am so happy that I decided to. I am glad I had an opportunity to work with you outside of softball as well. Working the basketball games my sophomore and junior years were great and I will always remember the fun times.
    
Mary Hildestad and Kelsey Rorabeck:
Thank you so much for encouraging me to play college softball. I remember having you both as coaches for summer ball my junior year of high school and being the only junior wanting to continue to play after high school and your encouragement only persuaded me further. Summer season with you both as coaches was one of, if not the best, summers of softball I have ever had. I learned so much from you both. I remember practicing diving and one day during a tournament I heard Mary scream “dive” and the next ball was hit to me at   base and instinctively I dove,  stopped the ball, and somehow  got the girl out at first. I was so shocked when I noticed I had the ball in my glove that I panicked when I threw it to first, but I don’t know if anyone even noticed because I actually dove and tried something  I would never have tried before.  At the beginning of the summer, I would never have thought I would ever be able to make that play and I thank you for teaching me that. I loved that we were able to play against each other my freshman year. It was great to have the opportunity to play against your coaches. I may have got hit during one of the games, but it was still a lot of fun. You were both great coaches and I have you to thank for pushing me to play college softball. I would not be a part of this team if it was not for you guys.  
    
Mariah:
I am so glad we have been able to be teammates these past four years. It has been great getting to know you and I can’t believe we are graduating soon. I wish you the best of luck after college!!
    
Katie K:
Being your teammate for the past three years has been great. I remember talking to you freshman year and you were thinking about playing softball or not and I am so happy you did. I wish you the best in the future!
    
Katie E:
Getting to know you these last three years has been great. I remember you always being in my room freshman year, but we never talked. I am glad we got to know each other and I wish you the best in the future.
    
Juniors:
These past three years being your teammate are years I will never forget. I also want to thank you for supporting me being manager. I was so nervous that your perceptions of me would change after being a player for two years before that and I want to thank you for still treating me as a teammate. I love you all and will miss you next year!
    
Sophomores:
I am so happy we have been teammates for the past two years. It has been great getting to know all of you and know you will all go on to do great things. Thank you for being my teammates, you will be missed.
    
Freshmen:
Even though we have only been teammates for one year, I feel that we have been playing together for many. It has been great getting to know each and every one of you. I wish you luck for the rest of your career with the Cardinals!!
    
As hard as it is to be leaving Saint Mary’s, I am excited for what is next. I love you Saint Mary’s and my SMU CARDINALS! I will miss you!