Nick Bids Farewell

Looking back at the last four years, it is easy to see why it has gone so fast. Most are surprised by how fast it goes, but I’m not. Having the opportunity to spend so much time with such great guys on and off the field for the past four years is unexplainable. I know now, why it went so fast. Mom and Dad, thanks for everything. I could go on and on forever thanking you for all you have done for me, but you already know how grateful I am. Some things I do want to thank you for — for the way you pushed me and shaped me into the person I am today, and the endless amount of time you two spent driving me around for practice and games. Words don’t describe how much I love you two with all my heart. To my younger brothers. Ryan and Bradley, it was really nice about two years ago when I was taller than you two. Now that I am not, it is still important to know that I will always win every wrestling match we ever have. I don’t think I’ll ever forget our 1-on1 wiffle-ball games in front of the house, or our make-shift indoor basketball court in the basement of the old house where we spent most of our days. I love you guys and can’t wait to be back home so we can make up for lost time. To my older brothers, Kevin and Tom, thanks for being there for me when I needed you guys. I won’t forget that. Kev, thanks for driving me around when I was younger to practice and games when Mom and Dad couldn’t. Tom, thanks for everything. Even though you were the blunt of most of my jokes, it was all out of love. I love you guys. Grandpa Nick and Stanley, if I had one wish, it would have been for you two to have been able to see one of my games in high school or college. You two have been my inspiration for a long time and I’m glad you two were up There watching. Grandma Helen, thanks for everything you did for me. The summer we spent in the car together and at the hospital, was the biggest growing experience I have ever had. Thank you and I miss you more every day. Grandma Rita, thanks for everything through out the years and for always being there to tell me stories about Grandpa. Though we argued at times, I love you more than anything, and I will continue to embarrass you in public by slapping you on the butt. Aunt Nancy, how can I say “thank you” in so many ways. All you did for me through the years means so much and it helped me get through the past four years. Coach Whaley, thanks for everything over the past four years, and for letting me represent the Cardinal Baseball Program. I have never had a coach teach respect and baseball at the same time in the great way you do. Also, I know it wasn’t easy dealing with two Chicago kids at the same time, especially Danny. Benji, thanks for getting me out of here in four years and pushing me as hard as you did, above all in the class room. Coach Trewick, thanks for coming on board and making the game fun again, mainly on the bench. To everyone at St. Pats, the greatest high school on Earth. Coach Bailey, Coach Trendel, Coach P, Br. Konrad, Br. David, Paul, Mr. Ardito thanks for all the times together and for being a huge part in my life. To all my friends back home, sorry I missed out on so much, but we will have plenty of time to make up for it. Shamrock Pride! To all the great people at SMU, Donny and Toni, thanks for everything you two do, and making sure I don’t yell at my mom. Kristin, thanks for fixing my foot. Br. Steve, Mess, Mr. Hefel, Gary, and Dean, thanks for everything through the years, you guys really made this a great experience. To my fellow seniors, Matt, Nick, Grant, and Buj. It has been a great time, and even better experience. The past four years have been pretty crazy and I will never forget you guys. Matt, I couldn’t have picked a better kid to play baseball with than you but I’m still sorry about “Flom Bomb.” Nick, good luck next year, and in the future in keeping the tradition of great MIAC player-coaches at SMU. You are one of the hardest working kids I know and I’m glad some of it rubbed off on me. Grant, thanks for trading me Shea freshman year. I still think I got the better end of the deal. Buj, you’re still the best bump on the bump SMU will ever have. Thanks guys for the past 4 years. To my best friends. Krieger, first off, thanks for not making me the shortest kid on the team. Besides that, I will never forget our long romantic talks where nothing was accomplished and our dinner dates. If you ever make it to DePaul or some second-rate law school in Chicago, make sure to look me up (you won’t find me in the suburbs). Brady, thanks for being the only kid not from Minnesota on the team with me. Remember, I am always right in our sports arguments and my dyslexia only comes around when you’re standing over my shoulder. Oh yeah, if you call Carleton, I’m sure you can get that stat changed to a double. To both of you guys, thanks for arguing all the time and putting me in the middle of it, I enjoyed hearing both sides, day-in and day-out. Besides all the stupid stuff, I couldn’t pick two better guys to have spent the last two years with. If you forget anything, never forget the drop-kick. Kev, watch out for snow banks when driving, and if someone offers to help, take it, and don’t use your hands. Alex, Robbie, and Brandon, thanks for making the last two years a lot of fun and getting fined more than anyone, and also funding everything. Jose, best roommate I ever had. Thanks for pushing me so hard and showing me how to build ramps for remote controlled cars. Good luck in all you do. Coz and Cic, you two might be the best player-coaches the MIAC has ever seen and most underpaid as well. Thanks for showing me the ropes over the past few years. If it wasn’t for you guys, I would have been lost. Oh yeah, you too, Jake. Miz, thanks for threatening to, “Work-Me.” Danny, thanks for being the only other kid from Chicago-Chicago, even though you like the rainbow colored team on the North Side. To all the guys I left out, Chambers, Rink, Majerus, Dusty, Robbie, Timmy, Dave, Steve-O, and all the younger guys, thanks for making this a great experience, and continue to work hard. Liz, Jaqui, and Gencius, thanks for being some of the best friends over the past four years. Liz, sorry your still a cubs fan, Jaqui, thanks for always needing a ride home when I was driving home. Jonny G, only in the city of Winona would we see a White Sox World Series Victory and a Bears Super Bowl appearance. I only wish you remembered the 4th qtr. 10 years from now, we’ll be coming back to Wellington’s making sure our seats are still saved for the Bears games. Last, but not least, Marie. I know you wanted me to keep the “mushiness” to a minimum, so here I go, Thank you for everything you have ever done for me. I know I am probably the hardest kid to deal with, but you continually put up with me. I know I couldn’t do it. I Love You with all my heart and wish there was a way I can thank you for everything. If it wasn’t for meeting you, there is no way I would have graduated from here. You pushed me like no one ever has, and did it in a way that motivated me to impress you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are also welcome for making you so much cooler than you are by getting the chance to date me! You will always be a big dork to me. (I’m sure that will get me a max.) Finally, thank you to everyone who I left out. If it wasn’t for you, this would have been a completely different experience and I would never wish for that. These past four years have been great and I thank everyone for being a part of them.