Brayton Grinnell Senior / Defender St. Joseph, MI From the Coach	Wow! I guess it’s true that time does fly when you’re having fun — and that is exactly what I have experienced over the last four years at SMU. Now that my soccer career is coming to an end, I can’t begin to explain to you how much happiness it has brought to my life on and off the field. Soccer has not only brought me pleasure and joy, but it has also contributed too many of the beliefs and values that encompass my everyday lifestyle. However, now that the day has come, I want to thank some of the personal contributors that have allowed me to enjoy my soccer experience at SMU. First and foremost, I want to thank my grandparents for all of the love and support they have bestowed upon me and my family throughout the years. Without them, I probably would not have had the opportunity to play soccer at the college level. Furthermore, I also thank them for providing the financial support that has allowed me to obtain an education at SMU. I look up to them for so many of the qualities that they have. Not only are they supportive of me and my family, but they are the most generous and kindhearted people you will ever meet. Next, I would like to thank my mom for her continued support of me and my brothers throughout our sports careers. I am so grateful for the countless number of hours that she spent taking us to and from games and dedicating a large amount of her time to making sure that we were as happy as possible. She also spent an immeasurable amount of time making sure we were ready to go for the games by washing our uniforms and making sure we were fed. Plus, our mom always seemed to be our No. 1 fan and that was made perfectly clear by how much she got into the games by yelling and hollering for us. All of this tends to be overlooked when you are just a youngster, but now that I am an adult, I want to thank you for being so supportive of me and my brothers. In addition, I want to thank my brothers, Jason and Nathan, for being the best brothers a guy could ask for. I thank Jason for always being there for Nathan and me and helping us out with numerous things throughout our lives. I want to thank Nathan for being such a great younger brother, and for sharing in many of the great times that I have had throughout my life. “Triple Trouble.” Thanks to JB and Tres, for all of the good times that I have shared since freshman year of high school. Even though we are winding down our college careers, and we may end up in different areas, I know that we will always be best of friends and remember the fun times that we have enjoyed together. In addition, I look forward to the great times that I know we will share together in the future. Thanks to all of the coaches that have taught me about the game of soccer. Thanks to Mr. Biegler when I was just a little guy. Thanks to Mr. Lohrke when I was in high school and pushing me to become the best possible player that I could be. Last, but not least, I would like to thank Luzzi (Shrek) and Uncle Benny. I thank Shrek for being supportive of me throughout the years and teaching me not just about the game of soccer, but also about the life-long morals and values that the game of soccer brings to the table later on in life. I want to thank Uncle Benny for being like another older brother to me, and giving up a lot of his future aspirations to help out with the SMU soccer team. Lastly, I want to thank all of the players that I have played with at SMU for the last four years. Thanks to Browner for Windsor, Canada and PCB, Florida. Thanks to Pecker for helping out with coaching and being a great bud. Thanks to Joey for teaching me the ropes about adding to my portfolio. Thanks to Kroll, “shave it.” Thanks to Clemens for being a super senior so I can enjoy more eventful nights in downtown Winona. Thanks to the Divine one. In addition, I want to thank this year’s junior class. Thanks to the “Rad Dogg” for breaking out of your shell in England, and I have to say the kid has never been the same since. Thanks to Bob for all of the great times in Gilmore and the Old. Thanks to Jimbo for being a great roommate and I am sure our stories will only continue to grow. In addition, thanks to all the sophomore boys for being such a dedicated group of guys to the program. Thanks to Kozar and Tony Regolla (Blue Oyster Cult 1983). Thanks to Vik and Matyas in PCB (2003) and tigobidies. Thanks to Bobo for all of the good times in downtown Winona. Thanks Coon Dogg, even though I mispronounced your name for about three years, but better late then never I guess. Thanks to Nate for just being himself and being an honest and trustworthy guy. I also want to thank this year’s freshmen class for all of the good times, and I am sure there will be plenty more in the months to come. Lastly, I want to thank this year’s senior group. I thank everyone for their hard work and dedication throughout the years, and I look forward to the continuous fun that I know will persist into the future. I wish all of you guys the best of luck in the future — and whatever road life may lead you down, I want you to know that “I love you guys.”