Yesterday, while the light snow was falling on the turf at Duffy Field, the St. Mike's Men's Soccer team played their last home game of the season. For some this was just an end to another season but to 6 seniors including myself this was the last time we would ever step on the Duffy Field as a part of the St. Mike's Soccer team.
Last Saturday, the seniors were honored by the team and the Athletic Department during our Senior Game against Assumption College. All the parents we on campus to take part in the pregame ceremony. Students, faculty and staff filled the bleachers along with some of the alumni and former coaches, including a few al that flew up from Miami, FL for the game.
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| The seniors with their families on Senior Day 10/15/16 |
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| Senior Day with my parents and my coach Wade Jean |
My career as a Purple Knight isn't what you would call ideal or conventional. I came into preseason freshman year along with the rest of my class as a recruit who was excited to extend my soccer career by fulfilling my dreams of playing college soccer. Unfortunately for me this dream was short lived due to injuries.
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| You always have to look good on the road |
I tried to play in preseason my freshman year but it didn't take my coach Wade Jean to notice that something wasn't right and thats when he called me into his office. During the recruiting process I told him about my back injury and that I should be fine for preseason. When I was in his office that day I told him that I was still having trouble with my back and that I couldn't feel my arms and legs at times.
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| Team Photo Freshman Year |
That was the last day I would touch the Duffy Field as a player. Thankfully I have been allowed to stay apart of the team in a different capacity. This transition was hard but soccer was always part of my life and if that was what I needed to do to keep it that way so be it.
Through out my four years here at St. Mike's and on the soccer team I have been lucky enough see and experience a lot. I have been to watch myself grow and mature as an individual. I have seen my teammates, friends and brothers lay everything out on the field while making the playoffs last year or the first time in about 9 years and we were able to win the Catholic Cup twice in my four years. The team as a whole has seen each other in their best and worst moments but we have always been there for each other.
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| 2016 Catholic Cup Champions |
Looking back at it, yeah I would love to have been able to play a game during my four years as a Purple Knight but I don't know if that could top the experience I have had because I have been able to experience St. Mike's Soccer and Athletics in a unique way that most students don't get to. I don't know where I would be if I didn't have soccer and these guys to lean on.
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| Team Picture from Junior Year |
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| Walking out for a game against SNHU Freshman Year |
One thing that I know for sure is that I know for a fact that I would not be anywhere close to where I am today without the support of my friends, family, doctors, professors, teammates, coaches and the St. Mike's community as a whole. That sense of community and support that I have felt during my four years here is the reason why I chose to come to St. Mike's and I wouldn't change it for the world.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned for whats to come next!
Chris
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cwilliamson@mail.smcvt.edu
