Nick Michaels Sr. • Forward Dyer, Ind. I can remember my freshman year reading Rank’s, J.B.’s, and Johnny O’s Senior Salute and thinking to myself how far away that day would be for me. Boll’s and Smitty’s came around my sophomore year and I couldn’t believe my college career was halfway over. Last year the realization hit, after reading Dzicky’s, Brett’s and Kevin’s, that the day would soon come where I would no longer be playing the game of basketball for SMU. Which leads me to today, and man, have these past four years flown by! First and foremost, I would to thank my parents. I really do not feel that words can express what you two mean to me. The continued support and constant sacrifices that you two have made cannot be equaled by anyone. And I think for the most part of my athletic career I had taken that for granted. From “Strictly Shooting,” to those crazy gadgets Dad bought, to the fact that you two were at every one of my season openers, I really never thought much about them because I began to expect them. I just wanted you to know that I do realize what you two have done for me and I can only hope that, one, I have made you proud to be my parents, and two, that I could someday do for my children what you two have done for Jon, Nikki, and I. Mom, I think you may have had more enjoyment out of my basketball career than anyone, including me. It seems like basketball has taken us all over the place. From the swamps of Houma, LA, to Miami, FL, to Las Vegas, NV, to Winona, MN. You have always seemed to reap the benefits of the crazy places this game has taken me. And I have thoroughly enjoyed your company on our journey. You have instilled in me to reach for the sky and the heck with the treetops, you have always taught me that character is above and beyond everything in life, and most importantly, when all else fails pray to Mary and she’ll make everything OK. You have been a great mother, friend, and counselor and I love you more than anything in the world. Dad, as Mom has accompanied me to the more exotic places basketball has taken me, you have been there for my day-to-day activities. From my Midtown days where you picked me up from school and took me to the heart of Gary, to the St. Andrew’s days where you had us playing all over Chicago-land (I still don’t think 72 games in one year for 5th graders was legal), we have logged more miles in your van than some truckers do in a lifetime — and we probably have more stories than them, too. You have instilled in me that there is nothing more important than family in a man’s life and you have continually led a life that practices what you preach. You have been a wonderful father, coach, critic, and role model in my life and I love you with all my heart. Nana, Jon, Nikki, Mark and Nancy, it has been unfortunate that the distance between school and home have kept you away from my college basketball career. But you guys have been a constant source of support and have always given me an open ear when I needed it. The times you have been able to make it have been memorable to say the least. The constant care packages, meals, and the occasional $20 cannot go without recognition, thank you guys for everything and I hope you do not feel that since I am done with school that that means the gifts are no longer welcomed or expected. There are some people outside the Michaels family who deserve a huge thank you. Mame and Uncle Ray, you two have been there for me from the beginning, from the coaching days @ SAS to STM to AAU to Mount Carmel to Saint Mary’s. I don’t know if I ever really took the time to thank you for your support, but it has meant the world to me. I really hope that Dalanie and Mia decide to play basketball as they get older for two reasons: one, so you guys have someone to watch and cheer for (I don’t think my games at the YMCA are going to be too thrilling to come watch) and two, so they realize what great sports-loving grandparents they have. I would also like to thank Uncle Dave, it takes a brave man to get into a vehicle with my Father week after week and travel the distances you two have traveled. It really has meant a lot to my family and I, I know you have taken a huge burden off my mom by dealing with my dad after some of the games. Thank you guys very much, my parents have to support me, but you guys do it for some crazy reason. It has meant a lot and I love you guys. Coach Biebel, Biebs, what can I say? Without you I do not get to experience Saint Mary’s University, so everything this school has given to me, I owe it to you. You gave me a chance to continue my basketball career in college and gave me an opportunity to play since my freshman year. These have been the best four years of my life. I know in the process of these four years I have probably taken a couple years off the end of yours (esp. this year), but you have always been there for me and have never given up. In a way I want to apologize for not giving you the success that you deserved over my career here. No head coach deserved to have fought the battles that you have had to for this team, but you fought them for us and I respect you more than anything for that. You have been a great head coach, friend, and disciplinarian, thank you and I love you coach. And don’t forget the two biggest lies… I want to thank the assistant coaches, coach Mackenzie and coach Drake, for the numerous hours they have spent with us on and off the court. Again, you two have deserved much more success than the team has given you, but I know things will pay off in the long run. I would also like to thank the coaches that have come through the system over my career at Saint Mary’s: Coaches Messman, Treptow, Johnson, & Wittman, you guys have given me a better understanding of the game of basketball and have made me realize how fortunate I am to have played at the collegiate level. I wish you guys the best of luck in your future ventures. Brother Patrick Conway, you above all, have taken me under your wing and have made sure that I make the most out of Saint Mary’s experience. From a personal, academic, athletic, social, and career standpoint you have been there for me in many different ways. I think the only way to pay you back might be a donation to the brotherhood, but until then I hope a Senior Salute thank you will do. I love you and cannot thank you enough for everything you have done in helping me become the man that I am here today. To the fans that have been here for me over the four years, thank you. Sammy, Smitty, Smooth, Haegle, Pumper, the senior class that followed us, and the older gentlemen at the north end of the gym, you guys have been there for us more than anyone. And I want you to know how much I have appreciated your support, especially through the last couple of seasons. It has been a privilege to play in front of you guys these last four years. To the team, thank you guys for the past four years. You guys have been like brothers to me, and well, some like sisters, too. Our time here may not have been filled with wins, but what we do carry are tons of stories and those are what I am going to remember when our time is done here at Saint Mary’s. I would like to list some of my favorite stories, but I do realize that my parents and some of your parents will be reading this, so I will elect to keep them out. But you know which ones I am talking about. I wish you guys the best of luck in the rest of your basketball days, as well as whatever life path God has planned for you. And remember, a decade after graduation almost everyone will have forgotten where and what you played. But every time you speak everyone will know whether or not you are educated. So remember what you are here for above everything else and take advantage of that. Jim and Dan, I know I have been like that weird older guy in your lives, and I want to apologize for that, but I won’t. The past year has been a blast and you guys have made my senior year that much more fun. I look forward to checking up on you guys and the other freshies throughout the rest of your careers here at Saint Mary’s. Best of luck, and Dan keep the tradition alive; the force is strong in you. Lance … Romance, Lepracoon, Fire, Laser I can’t believe our time here is done. It has been a pleasure receiving passes from you as you drove the baseline and kicked out to my lazy self, chilling at the three-point line. I have said it from the beginning, you are one of the best basketball PLAYERS I have ever played with. And I truly mean that. The intensity and drive that you play with is amazing and it is going to be sad next October not seeing that. I know that you are going to be a great basketball coach and I look forward to having my boys play for you someday. Our four years here have been fun, and you do realize that if I decided to list any story that you would be the main character in them. It has been a great ride and I am glad you were there with us to enjoy it. Roomies, Wilty and Kraemer, I guess I can’t do this thing without mentioning you guys. In the words of the great David Matthews, “Turns out not where but who you’re with that really matters.” And I don’t think there can be a better statement to sum up how I feel about you guys. You guys have been my brothers, best friends, partners-in-crime, enemies, counselors, and critics, and I could not have asked for two better people for those roles in my life. We have been through a lot and have always done it together. Next year is going to be very weird for me without seeing you guys on a day-to-day basis, you may like that, but it is going to be rough on me. I am going to miss you guys, but it is a good feeling to know that you aren’t going to be too far away. Kraemer, best of luck with the teaching gig, I know it is going to be real rough for you having the summers off and all. I think you will be able to get through it. Wilty, my number one, best of luck in whatever the heck you end up doing, God has something great planned for the both of us … we just need to find it soon. Our talks about life have been great and I feel I now have a better understanding of why I am here and what my purpose is. I love you guys and want to thank you for a great college life. And to Saint Mary’s in general, I want to thank everyone for a great four years. I would not take any of it back for the world.