Last Thursday night, I stood on the Skyhawk football field after the Blue and Orange Game. I hugged players and talked to the coaches.

After a few minutes it hit me: This is the last time I will stand on this field. I actually had to fight back the tears. It’s not that I’m emotionally attached to Skyhawk football … OK, so I am. But I started to realize how attached I am to this university as a whole.

I wasn’t supposed to end up at UTM just like others out there. I was supposed to go to UK. But after a few changes in plans and a few visits to Martin, I did end up here. I can honestly say that it was the best decision I ever made.

Anyone who knows me and hell, even people who don’t, know that I am one of the biggest cheerleaders for this campus.

I can’t begin to sum up four years in 400 words; I would need 4 million to describe my experiences here. I have lived, loved and lost more than I could have ever dreamed of. I honestly cannot imagine my life not having been a Skyhawk. More so than high school, these have been the best years of my life.

I won’t know what to do with myself when I leave Martin. No more Pub ... no more Pacer ... no more people that I love so much... It’s inevitable that I’ll forget things and people, but I’m going to try my best to not forget what’s important. The lessons I’ve learned here are ones that I will take with me to the real world:

If you want something done, get up and do it. (Skyhawk Nation.) If you have an idea everyone thinks is crazy, ask around. Someone else won’t think its crazy, too. It’s amazing what you can accomplish together (Ball Crawl 2006).

You’ll argue with people about the strangest stuff but at the end of the day, leave it in the office and go grab a beer... or drive to Panama City (Kevin).

No matter the consequences, give everything you’ve got and don’t be afraid to take a risk for what you want. You might get your heart broken, but you might miss out on something spectacular too... 10 mostly wonderful months in my case (M.W.).

Part of me wishes I could stay in Martin just a little longer, and now that I have to leave with no more idea of what I want to do as a “grown-up” than when I got here, it’s only appropriate that I turn to Tennessee for wisdom.

“There is a time for departure even when there’s no certain place to go,” Tennessee Williams said. And so depart, somewhat reluctantly, I must.

Not to give my PEP leader speech, but to those I leave behind, please make the most of your time in Martin. You will get out what you put in. If you put in everything, you’ll get everything. I can say I’ve experienced all Martin has to offer and it’s made me the person I am, for the most part, proud to be today.

For one of the last times... U-T-M! I’ve loved it! I’ve loved it! I’ve loved it! GO SKYHAWKS!