Ashley Bids Farewell

My basketball journey began many summers ago, when my dad attached a hoop to our old garage on our family farm. I remember the day like it was yesterday. The hoop was only seven feet off the ground, but it looked so high to my sister and I as we tried time and time again to make a shot. Out of 100 attempts, maybe two actually hit the bottom of the net. Many hours were spent in our yard playing ball on our crude b-ball court composed of a mixture of grass and gravel. I remember my parents yelling at me and my brother and sisters for getting too loud during our so-called “games.” They always said we needed to keep it down because the neighbors could hear us yelling. We never believed that the neighbors could hear us, but as we got older, the neighbors would comment on how they knew we were playing b-ball because they’d hear us yelling and our pre-game music playing. We even made jerseys and pretended that we were actually playing in a college basketball game. How time has gone by. In the fall of 2002, I got the chance to live out my dream of becoming a college basketball player, when I walked into my first practice here at SMU. I did not know what to expect, but my collegiate basketball career has been the greatest adventure of my life. The friends I have made, the places I have traveled to, and the milestones I have achieved will forever be a part of my life. And now for the thank-yous. I would first like to thank my mom and dad. Thanks for putting that hoop up in our yard, taking me to all those practices, and driving to all of those games. Thanks for your support and encouragement. You were there for it all — the smiles, the tears, the victories, and the losses. Everything you have done to help me achieve my basketball goals and dreams is sincerely appreciated. You have watched me grow from that little girl trying to make a basket to a mature, collegiate athlete. I hope I have made you proud. I love you both very much!! To my sisters and brother – Jackie, Brian, and Annie. Thanks for all of the great memories. I will never forget those games in the yard. Thank you for coming to my games and helping me work on my skills to become a better b-ball player. Also, a big thanks for taking the time to make all those awesome signs and cards to encourage me and celebrate my achievements. They meant a lot to me. You are the best. To Amanda, aka “Clammer.” You are the best friend and pratically a sister to me. You have been there for me through the good times and the bad. We have laughed, cried, and done crazy things together over the past four years. I never knew what a best friend was until I met you. You have been such a great supporter of my athletic career. I appreciate you taking time away from your studying to attend my home and away games. Thanks for listening, giving advice, and turning my bad nights into good ones. Without you, I would not be the person that I am today. To my fellow captains – Murphy and A-Train. What a crazy season it has been. It has been an honor to be a teammate of yours. You both bring important aspects to this team and without you, our team would not be complete. Good luck with your future plans. To my teammates - it has been a great ride. I will always remember the good times from going out to eat to sweeping Bethel. Some advice — the four years go by fast, so make sure you go out and play like it is your last game. Put that Cardinal jersey on with pride. To the coaches. Coach Messman — you have never failed to push me further as a player. You have taught me many things that I will someday use a coach and in life in general. Your knowledge of the game and drive for success has helped me to become a better basketball player. Thank you for showing all of us the “Cardinal Way.” To Ray — thanks for all of the head pats. They always let me know that you believed in me as a player. Thanks for your encouragement day out and day in. To Rat — I mean Coach Rattunde. Thanks for all of the advice you have given me. I will always remember all of the good times we had together both as a teammates and this year. To Donny, my security man. Thank you for all your support throughout my career. You have been to almost all of my home games and that means a lot to me. Thank you also for all of those pizza parties we had together, but don’t tell coach. You have always been there to listen and give encouragement when I needed it. Thanks for everything!! To Grace and Larry. It means a great deal to me when you come to my games. I appreciate all of the nights or afternoons you spend to watch me play basketball. It’s great to know that I have that kind of support around me. To the Clarks. What can I say? It’s been great to have you guys in my life. Thanks for all of the support you have given me. I am very lucky to have a family like yours come and watch me play. Thanks for all of the food, rides, and fun times at the house. To everyone else that has taken time to show their support to me over my career. To the tracksters for always coming to my games and making me signs. To all of the professors for coming to my games, sending e-mails, and cutting out the newspaper clippings. To Cheers and the gang, thanks for all of the support and encouragement each one of you give. To all of my friends who have come and watched me for the past four years thank you so much it means the world to me. Over the past four years: Games played: 104; Coaches: 5; Teammates: 29; Practices: Countless; Doing it the “Cardinal Way” PRICELESS!!! Now there is only one thing left to say: Adieu, Aloha, Adios, Ciao, Farvel, Adeus, Tot Siens, Istenhozzád, Cheerio, and Goodbye!