Mike Lackey Senior / Midfield Perryton, TX From the Coach	As my competitive soccer playing career comes to a close, all of those people that have helped me along the way come to light. First and foremost, I need to thank my parents. They encouraged me when I was starting at four and they supported me when I chose a school that was 2,000 miles from home. They built goals out of PVC pipe in the back yard, which we always managed to break. They spent hours in the car driving back and forth to Dallas or L.A., or wherever else we might have been going each weekend. They managed to turn tournaments into vacations, and always (seemed) to enjoy it. Looking back, I now know I took all of these things for granted, but I hope they both know how much I truly do appreciate them and everything they have done for me. Without their support and guidance I would not be the player or person that I am today. I also need to thank Sonya, Matt, Nathan, Daniel and Elizabeth for helping me become a better player. It was nice having brothers and sisters who all played, and still play, soccer. Watching Sonya in her “Freight Train” days, playing with Matt as he managed to aggravate not only the opposing players but the referees as well in a skilled and rebellious style of play, and playing with Nathan as he uncontrollably ran up and down the field, — all three of these styles of play greatly influenced me. Daniel and Elizabeth were always there for me to meg or try something new on. How’s that “five-year plan” coming Dan? I would like to thank Brad Hauter and Barno for getting me to Saint Mary’s. I probably never would have left California if it weren’t for those two guys. Although Brad and Barno got me here the first time, it was the team that brought me back. After transferring after my freshman year I realized that I left something great behind. After only one year in this program I had already made the best friends and met the best group of guys I have ever known. These guys and this program are the reasons I came back my junior year. Although when I returned my class was minus a few players, there was still everything I had missed. Michael “Bunz” Johnson is the most generally happy person I have every known. He has the amazing ability to find the good, or at least funny, in everything. And I will always remember “Bunzy forty-hands.” Josh and I only knew each other for two years, but in those two years I have come to learn that he is a very passionate person. If I’m not mistaken, he started the slide tackles in 5-v-2 games, if that’s not passion, I don’t know what is. Best of luck to you and your future. Jake is the deepest thinker and most generally concerned person when anyone has a problem. Jason and I are still going to break your ankles with a two-footer though. And for anyone who doesn’t know, “Jake likes horses.” John Brown is the guy who always finds something to say, even when nothing should be said. We usually don’t understand what he is saying, but it is said with such enthusiasm it is hard to disagree with, “What up big whoop-dee-whoop.” William Michael Lardner III is the friend everyone wants. True, he does have an odd obsession with maps, showers, and extra skin, but he has always been there for me. He is also the funniest person I have ever known. Brayton Grinnell is the least vocal person on the field, but his actions speak louder than anyone’s. His slide tackles cannot be matched, or avoided, by anyone. I will never forget you going camo for eight blocks either. Jason Grinnell completes our back line with great natural ability and leadership. I am very glad he decided to stick around and play for one more year. It was a pleasure co-captaining these last two years with him. These seven and I will bring our soccer careers here at Saint Mary’s to a close at the end of the season. I could not have asked for a better or more committed group of guys to end my playing career with. We have been through ups and downs together and at the end, we will leave together. I love you guys, and the party has just begun. To a few others: Eric Brown, JT Rude, Mike Kroll, and Pecker, you guys showed me what SMU had to offer right off the bat and I will never forget you guys. Jeff Pope, thank you for getting me adjusted to playing midfield, considering I had never played that position prior to joining the SMU program. Bobby Endemann, you are an amazing keeper and an even better person. I will miss our one-on-one battles, but there are always alumni games. Kozen, we all know the truth. Jeff Q., who doesn’t tell people how to pronounce their name until two years later? What up big Tiggles?! Red-dog, as much as I try, I can’t seem to forget the way you were in England, “What did he say? Oh, something about a bad pass.” And Jimmy, you know you can always tell me anything. Todd and T.J., thanks for your special brand of fanism, you guys managed to push the line but not quite break it — well, except those couple times. Sara, thanks for putting up with me these last couple of years, I know I am not always the most pleasant person to be around following a loss, but you have always been there for me when I needed you the most. To everyone else, I love you all and thank you for being there. Benny, I have loved the stories and impressions over the years. Although sometimes you may not feel like it, we all really appreciate the work you put into the program. I’m sure it is not easy working all day then coming out and dealing with us, but you really have made a difference. Now that season is just about over, maybe I will see you out every now and then. Luzzi, well what can I say? It has been quite a time these last couple of years. You are the most obsessively committed person I have ever known. I don’t think anyone, myself included, understands how much you sacrifice for this team and the program in general. You treat each of us as if we are family, and in turn we treat each other the same. You have taught me the importance of not getting cards on a regular basis, and that I actually play better when I am in that frame of mind. I will miss celebrating your birthday, anniversary, newborn, or whatever else the guys in the future can come up with. Thanks for all the pasta dinners, and other meals I will be coming by for in the near future. We had some rough times this year, but you and Benny stood behind us when it seemed no one else would. You guys have dealt with more in just this past year than I really ever want to deal with. Thank you for everything you have done for me and, more importantly, the program. And if you ever need to make sure something is good, just ask me for my approval. I would also like to thank the MIAC referees for making my time playing in the MIAC so enjoyable with their high standards for perfection. And one last thank you to Brother Louis and the rest of SMU for their unwavering belief in, and support of, the soccer program here at Saint Mary’s. Thanks, everyone!