Michael Johnson Senior / Forward Woodbury, MN From the Coach	I never could have survived my time at Saint Mary’s without soccer. Soccer has been an escape for me — an escape from the stress of school and homework. Some of my best times in my life are from SMU soccer. Everyday I can’t wait to step on the soccer pitch with the guys. But I would not be here without my parents. I thank them for being able to send me to Saint Mary’s and play with the greatest group of guys. I’d like to thank my parents for all the games they came to —whether I played or not, I know they were there for me. Mom and Dad, you have always been there for me, even when soccer wasn’t going my way. Thank you for having the guys at the house and picking us up at the airport. Dad, every magazine fundraiser, you’d always get an order to support the team. In every decision I made, you guys always backed me up whether you agreed or not. I love you, Mom and Dad! I also want to thank my brother and my roommates for coming to the games and for always being there as a support. I also thank them for putting up with me, and for always listening — I really did need that. I would not have survived without you guys. I want to thank the Divine one and all the other upper classmen who changed me to the Bunzy I am today. You were great leaders and great friends. It has been a pleasure playing with all the under classmen who taught me it is good to be a kid at heart. I want to thank Rachel McPherson and my brother Matt, for being my parent representatives today. I couldn’t ask for anyone better to represent. You two are always looking out for me. I know I will miss walking by coach’s office and seeing how his day was, then tell him about Fabians class. … Stepping in the locker room where Lackey is chilling on the couch, JB is dancing to the music. … Talking to the trainers as I am getting my ankle taped. … Stepping back in the locker room where someone is having a dumb conversation that gets people riled up. … Lacing up the boots and running toward the field. … Stepping on the field, doing my roll-the-ball-step-over-move and go play some 5-v-2. … Nothing but megging and veterans escape. “How you doing Grinnell? Bears suck, I own you, Grinnell.” … Grinnell’s everyday rhetorical question, “I missed the game MJ, how did Minnesota do?” … Mardis Gras Grinnell … “Ladies, ladies, ladies,” says MJ, Grinnell’s response, “Are you kidding me?” I am going to miss watching the Ooh Ahs Cantona highlights on the bus and how “scholes has done it again.’ I will never forget all the Earthquakes. Showering will never be the same with out you Lardner. Lardner, I can always count on you making a comment or doing an action that makes me laugh. Lardner, you’re the most random kid ever. Lardner you always have my back and I appreciate it. You have a good heart, thanks for the support. Lackey, you Crazy Texan, I never forget running late to class freshman year and I said, “Lackey, aren’t you late for class?” You said, “yeah” and smiled and just kept walking. That story explains so much about you. I have never seen so much love for the game than from you. I always see a huge smile on your face. Keep the Texas long horn stache! B, I have never seen so many nasty tackles in my life. You remind me of a quote from Teddy Roosevelt, “Speak softly but carry a big stick.” And when you do say something, it,s good. JB, you say the funniest things that no one knows what you are talking about. Making a flanking run screaming “Whooo” down the sideline always makes me chuckle. “What up big Tables?” Josh, you are always there for me. I have never seen so much intensity form a person in a game of 5-v-2 than you. You are a warrior who never gives up. You have worked hard and deserve everything and more. Jake, you are a true person with a heart of gold. You’re like my mafia brother — if anyone would mess with me you would kill him. Watching you get frustrated in 5-v-2 is hilarious. I enjoy our deep conversations and I’m sure there’s more to come. Jake, how’s your sister? Just Kidding. You guys are family. Thank you guys for helping me fight through all my problems through out the year. Good luck to Luzzi and his wife and kids. That joke never got old. Team dinners are always a great tasty treat. Coach, you make a wicked spaghetti sauce. I also enjoyed going to Jack in the Box — eating there twice probably took 3 years off my life. I will never tell a joke in public again with you there. Describe America using only three words? Hilarious answer. I enjoyed the “getting stuck in” motion with your hands. Adidas is overrated. Hondas are the best. Coach, you have shared some great stories, like running away from home. Enjoy the simple pleasures in life, like Béarnaise sauce. Benny, you have mastered doing Luzzi impressions. Shrek and Luzzi. Benny, you’re a good coach and I always have a question which you always have an answer for. I will miss hearing Luzzi stories from you. Luzzi and Benny, I can always count on you for someone to talk to. You guys have seen my ups and downs and have helped me through tough situations. Thanks I have learned lots of life lessons through SMU soccer. I will cherish the friendships and memories forever. You guys are the best — and I will always be there for you guys, just like you guys were there for me. You guys can always put a smile on my face. The world is yours. You guys have changed my life. Now you go change the world for the better. Go have some fun!