Jamie Rattunde Sr. • Guard	“It is amazing what you can accomplish when you don’t care who gets the credit.” – Harry Truman Four years later, and you would think I’d finally be able to answer one of the most common questions when people find out you’re a basketball player: “What position do you play?” Four years later, and I still have no answer. What I do know is that, “I’m supposedly the smallest post in the world and the only point guard who will not shoot a 3 pointer.” I suppose that will have to suffice as an answer. I would like to say I have grown up and matured over the years, but I don’t think the following would constitute as mature … crawling underneath the bus seats on away trips, wearing a Santa hat to practice, or going sliding through the water after the rain flooded the hallways downstairs. But I have a feeling I have grown up in other ways and basketball has been a big part of that. I first want to thank Ma and Pa Rat! I am nothing short of proud to say you are my parents. From the countless hours you spent traveling to watch each and every one of my games since the first day I began playing. The perfect record for never missing a game is amazing. The millions of goodies that you have always supplied have kept us mighty fulfilled. Now if we could figure which is better: Dad’s Taco Salad or Mom’s Puppy Chow? Either way, I know they are made with that “special ingredient” and that means the world to me. I could say that your career of watching me play sports is coming to an end, but I have a feeling the “Old Women’s Leagues” are just around the corner for me. And I have this slight reason to believe you will continue to be at each and every one of those games also. To my sister, Mandi. I appreciate you coming to the games you could and the cards and signs you would make here and there. I know that you have always been proud of the things I have accomplished and I can just imagine the stories you share with the people around you. G, my best friend, teammate and practically sister! I sit here and I am not sure whether to laugh, smile, or cry … after all the crazy stuff we do, after all the tears and frustrations, the laughter and happiness, we have bonded together and become amazing friends. You know me better than anyone else no matter how much I deny it sometimes. Without you, I would not be the person I am today. Thank goodness for you and bringing me back to reality sometimes — otherwise I can only imagine the crazy stuff we would have done up to this point. Tess, You are such an amazing individual who has the motivation to accomplish great things. I cannot wait until the day you take off to head to space and I can tell people that I knew you. You have helped two athletic programs here at SMU make a name for themselves and I know you will always take those good memories with you. By the way, stay away from the red basketball shoes. Ha! Weebs (Aka Regan): I know that I wouldn’t have made it these four years without you. Although softball and basketball do not really relate, I know we could relate on another level and understand what the other was going through each and every season. I know you know how much our friendship means and THANK YOU for everything! Burnsie, funny how I went from lighting dog $&!* on fire on your front doorstep my freshman year to being a “Human Birthday Card” my senior year. Somewhere along those lines we’ve grown quite a friendship. I have never met someone that can always think so positively about a sport, no matter the circumstances. You have always had the right words for me and keep me focused on what really matters. Just a sidenote — I’ll miss our weekly convos with a “Mary.” To the coaches … Mess, you have been an amazing coach these last few years and have made a name for us. You’re knowledge of the game never ceases to amaze me and you can guarantee that when I become a coach “Jordan” is the first play I will teach my players. You care so much about each and every one of us and thank you for everything you have done for me as a player and a person. Now onto Ray, I knew that I could always look at you and know things would be OK, and that you believed we were capable of doing anything. And as much as it drove me nuts how positive you were, it’s something this team needed. Last but not least, thank you Tony. I think I almost got you saying Rat instead of Jamie, but what really matters is what you brought to the team this year. You always made things lighter at practice especially when you wiped out in practice the one day. To the oldies on the team … we’ve had our ups and downs, but we always knew that, when together, we would have some good times. From the endless hours of catch phrase (one word Lueh, “Sabotage”), riding in the back of Sammy, and what ever happened to Secondary break? And now onto the newbies, who have just had your first glimpse of college ball. I hope you all enjoyed it and I know you will walk away with a lot of memories. Thanks to everyone else that has shown their support in one way or another. From the community down to the professors/faculty of Saint Mary’s. A special thanks to Mike and Julie Biggerstaff, Diane Rinn, the Older Men (you all know who you are), Mary Fox (the countless e-mails), and to all the people that have followed me throughout my career. To the boys on the sideline (Jim, Chuck, Po and everyone else) … you guys have been awesome fans and somehow you have managed to get away with only warnings from the refs. One more thanks goes to an individual who has only seen a couple games, you were there when I needed someone the most and got me through one of the more difficult times of my life. I know it probably got old listening but I finally know what playing this game means and huge thanks goes to you. And I think I’ve said enough for someone that doesn’t talk much, but I figured I would just end this salute with one piece of advice: “Mustard on bruises always helps them heal, peanut butter on floor burns takes the pain away, and no matter how much I make it look like it doesn’t hurt, running into the bleachers/walls/chairs … IT REALLY DOES HURT!”