Mike Bids Farewell

It’s unreal that I find myself writing my Senior Salute. I can recall reading these the past three years and thinking it is so far ahead. Well, it’s my time and it is very hard to put into words what I have experienced here through the Saint Mary’s University soccer program. First I have to thank my loving parents. I would be writing forever for all the thanks and praise I have for you. Without you, I would not be here and I would be nothing of who I am today. You have shaped and molded me into the fine and not to mention pretty handsome individual. Even though I play 4 and a half hours away you still make time in your busy schedules to make countless home and away games. Mom, you have always been my biggest fan. You are the first to let me know I had a great game, or be there to tell me I was rotten, all with good intention though. I really am going to miss your voice on the sidelines, especially when the game starts to get a little physical and I can hear you scream, “hey, that’s my boy!” Dad, you have been involved in my soccer career for as long as I can remember. From being the coach when I first stepped on the field, to taking our team as coach when I was younger for travel soccer, you have always been involved. The training you put me through and the times you pushed me has made me the player I am today. I can remember you driving me to high school as a freshman and sophomore at 5:30 in the morning ever day when it was still dark outside, half hour to school and a half hour back for you, just so I could get into the weight room to shape these guns. Or sophomore year when I had to sit out hurt, you drove all the way to UW-Oshkosh just to watch me sit on the bench. Through the years you have showed true love for the game, and more importantly me. Johnny, even though you didn’t see that many of my collegiate games, when you were there you made your presence felt as the loudmouth on the sideline in my support. You’re my younger bro and I really care about you, even though we have our fights its all in brotherly love. Nikki, I know you try so hard to be the best soccer player to impress me. When I go to your games you try so hard to get that goal for me. You have always looked up to me, and I can say you are a great player. I’m only hard on you at times because I know how good you can be. Keep up the good work, I’m very proud of you! To all my family, I love you. I next have to thank Coach Luzzi. Without you I would not be at this place. You worked hard and did a lot to get me up here, and I can say it was a wonderful decision for me. You have been a great coach for me the past 4 years, on and off the field. On the field you’ve pushed me and tried to get the best out of me, throwing me around in many different positions in my career here. You show passion for the game and love to see us players succeed. Off the field you have been just as good of a mentor as coach. Even though at times I brought about some problems, you have done your best to keep me in line. Benny, you have done an outstanding job as an assistant coach for the past 4 years. You have put in so much time for us and really care for us. Personally, it has been great getting to know you and how tight of a relationship we keep. Our program would not be the same with out you. Luz and Benny, you have been here the past four years and you truly mean it when you say we are your family. You have always been there for us, thank you. Neil, it has been great to have you on board the past four years. Your knowledge of the game and direction you give us has helped us out a ton. Drew’s ball, I’m glad you have been a part of the team my last year here. You’re always good for a good laugh, but you’ve got to stop picking on me! To all my coaches, past and present, I cannot thank them enough. To my fellow seniors, Koz, Kunick, and I am including Matyas and Vik. What a ride it’s been. We came in as a group of about 13, and us 5 stuck it out together. I can’t ask for a better group of upper classmen to finish my career with. Kunick and Matyas, I will never forget when we came together on our recruit visit … good times. Vik, I’m so glad you came back for my last year. You were definitely missed last year. You bring so much to this team. Matyas, you have been an amazing leader for our team the past two years. You show what is exactly needed out of a team leader, these are good qualities and you will benefit greatly from it. I’m glad and I respect your decision to come back next year, it shows what kind of person you are. I’m also happy to play next to you on that back line now, I just hope I can contribute to our success back there, and make your job easier. Kunick, it has been a privilege to lace up the boots with you the past years. I love your intensity and desire for the game, and I really love when you lay those big hits on opposing players. I’m going to miss our daily hugs after practice and going to battle with you every game, “strength and honor”. Koz, where do I start. I will always remember the first time I met you, freshman tryouts in high school. It has been a great time the past 8 years being on the same school team as you. We’ve had so many good times, I can’t even begin to name one. Being on the team and living with you the past 3 years, you have been right there with me on this ride. I really respect your hard work you have put into soccer. Being right there, I have seen your game develop and skyrocket to where it is today. Let the good times keep coming Steenland. To the players on the team, thank you for making my last year the best it can be. I consider everyone on my team brothers and loved every minute with you guys. Vik Matyas, Schmitt and Denti (I’m proud to have given you that nickname with Koz) lead this team to where I know it can go in the future. To the younger players, keep up your hard work, I’m glad I got the opportunity to play with all of you. Stanley, its been sweet getting to know you, and all the good times you spend over at our place, even though you bring that Daniel kid too. Keep up it up, you’re a real good player. This team has a ton of talent and I can’t wait to see the success in years to come. The past players I have played with are held so important to me. Jay, B, and Lackey, thanks for guiding me and taking me under my wing. Jake and Bobby, you show so much passion for our program, it means so much to me. Lardner, you are one fine individual. It’s been great over the years, and how we still keep in touch. Your friendship means a lot, Foreskin Inferno. Johnny Brown, I will always treasure the good times we had in Winona, when you come and stay with my family in LZ, or when I go to Michigan and we celebrate Venetian. I’ll never forget your lockerroom antics and when you mock me (“My name is BOBO, all I do is score goals”). Thanks for everything. Reddish, you were the best forward I ever played with. It was always great lining up next to you and going at opposing defenders. All my success as a freshman came in large part to you and your assists. I have missed playing with you, but we will always continue to play together, tearing up those Men’s leagues in Chicago until the day our legs give out. You have been a great teammate, roommate, and friend. To the loyal friends and fans. I have to start out with Ennessy. You have been right there cheering on our team at every home game no matter what. I’m sure my mother is in great thanks to you too, she calls you every 20 minutes to ask for home game updates. I could not ask for more in a best friend. Josh, it’s so sweet you have moved to Winona and now go to school with me. You are one of the best fans, even for your lack of soccer knowledge, but you are always heard. I will never forget in high school, and now at SMU you yelling, “just get it to Boland!” To the rest of the roommates, Jack Money, Stonelake, and Love. It has been a good year so far, and the good times will keep coming. Thanks for making it out to the game, no matter how cold it was, or how hung over you were, you still made it out there and it means a lot. I’ll give a shout out to Anton (TJ) as well, you were a fun roommate and great SMU soccer fan. To all our fans, you’re the best, If I forgot anyone, I’m sorry but there are so many people I could thank it is difficult to put in this short document, but everyone has made a difference in my SMU soccer career. As I wrap things up, soccer has been a huge part of my life, and here at Saint Mary’s is no exception. I would not trade in the experience I had here for anything. I don’t know how I will react to the last game here at SMU, but it will be very hard to say goodbye.