Homeward Bound

I am hoping that this week goes by faster than normal because on Friday i am leaving Wartburg to go back to Cresco, Iowa for the weekend. I am going to see family and friends, but also to do a lot of deer hunting. I can't believe that i will have all weekend to myself. No football interruptions or anything. I can not wait for this. It will also give me more time to focus on my studies, which have taken a toll with football going on. It has been hard juggling football and homework. Now there is no excuses. No reason not to do well in the last part of this semester. That is what my main focus has to become.

Surreal Feeling

Last night, the Wartburg Knight football team watched and hoped to see our name appear on the D3 football playoff bracket. We were greatly disappointed after the show was done because we were not selected. A surreal feeling engulfed everyone associated with the team. We are done, done for a whole year. That feeling is not something new to me as i have experienced it in high school all to much. Now is time to take a break, but also to help better ourselves for next season. We did not live up to our expectations this year, but we plan to exceed them next season. I have learned a lot from this season and wont forget it for a long time. I thank all the seniors of have given so much of themselves for this program over the past four years. Without them, we wouldn't be where we are today. I know that my senior season will be here faster than i realize, i just hope that i enjoy the success that this years seniors have experienced in the past. "I am only, but i am one, i cant do everything, but i can do something, and what i can do, by the grace of God i will do." - Coach Rick Willis

In Need Of A Bigger Room

Since i am a freshman, i am living in the complex here on campus. Im in Hebron to be exact, where the rooms are very small in my opinion. My roommate and I are both on the football team, so we are not exactly the smallest guys in the world. Our room is beginning to fill up with a lot of stuff. We don't even have a futon or anything like that yet! We try to clean our room every week or so, but no matter what we do it still feels like it is getting smaller and smaller. I can't wait until i get to live in Grossman, where the rooms are twice the size at least. This is just part of the "college experience" though. Everyone has to go through it, so i shouldn't really be complaining. I'll just have to keep waiting until my dream of getting a bigger room comes true.

Music In My Life

Music has always been a part of my life. I listen to everything from country, to rock n roll, to hip hop. Music serves many purposes for me, it can pump me up for a game or it can calm me down. Even when im having a bad day, i can listen to some some of my favorite songs and my mood will completely change. I am that type of person you see walking around campus who always has his headphones in. I also have noticed that ever since i have gotten to Wartburg that i listen to my music a lot more. Maybe it is because i have a lot more free time, i dont know. With music being a part of my life, it has allowed me to share my interests with others here on the campus. A lot of my friends i have here also like the same music that i do. Music has and always be a part of me. Music is who i am...

Remembering the Past/Never Forget

Just recently i have being thinking about my high school days and how i wanted to get out of there so bad. I always told myself that when i get out of here, i ll be the happiest person in college. So far, this hasnt been the case. When i look back and reflect on my days at Crestwood, I recall taking that time for granted. I now realize that those were the best days of my life. I was good at sports, had tons of friends, had some fun..... the list could go on and on. I can't believe I wasted as much time as i did. If i could go back i would definatly do some things differently. I would spend more time with friends, work harder at my sports but always just have fun. I always took things seriously, like it was my job. I wish i would've stopped for a moment to think and soak up the moment. Especially my senior football season. It was there and gone in a flash. I would give anything now to go back for one more year of high school. I really do miss it. But now i have moved on to something better and more important: college. Here, the rest of my life begins and i cant wait to see what becomes of it.

Social Change

I was asked to identify what Wartburg College Social Change category i most represented. After i thought about for it a while, i think i fit best under the Direct Service category. I am a person who, when a problem is identified, wants to take direct action. I dont want to debate or argue about what different people think is the best solution. I am a person who wants to take direct action. But then i thought to myself that i am involved with my community also. So i also believe that i can fit into the Community Building category. Having a strong and united community is for the common good. Everyone can benefit from a community that is one. By participating in sports and music, stepping up and being a leader, and raising money for those less fortunate can do wonders for a community. I could do a better job of being involved in the community also. I hope that by being a Wartburg, my sense of community will continue to grow into something great.

Service

Since i have arrived at Wartburg, I have been involved in doing some service at Bremwood. This institution is for younger kids who either have a learning disability, have had a troubled life, or are misbehaved. The football team here on campus sends a group of players, each week, to Bremwood to play and entertain the kids. The first time i went there, i didnt know what to expect. I pictured in my mind that it was a place that was filled with bad kids and the place would have a bad vibe. I was greatly surprised to find that Bremwood was just like an elementary school, maybe even better. I saw kids that were having fun and learning! When i saw this, I couldn't wait to jump in and play with them! I was paired off with these four other younger guys. I would say that they were in the sixth grade or so. We started to play an intense game of Uno. I was so surprised on how good these kids were at this game! I couldn't believe it! I had a hard time just keeping up with them. Then it hit me, these kids arn't bad kids at all. They just needed a second chance and that's exactly what they are getting. After my work at Bremwood, i have much more appreciation for institutions like it. They are doing a wonderful thing in helping "troubled" kids get a second chance at a normal life.

The End Is Near

The end of my first Wartburg football season is upon us. With our game at Loras tomorrow, we will only have one game left after that. I have had some great experiences throughout this entire process. Starting way back on August 13th, I didn't know what to expect when i got here. I have met many different people from different places that i am good friends with now. I would have never expected to meet so many people that have so much in common with me. A lot of the guys on the team are from small towns, which has made becoming friends all the more easier. I am very grateful to have as many friends as i do here. They make being here at Wartburg more exciting and fun. I am looking forward to the season being over though, as strange as it may seem. I need a break to do my own thing for a while. Football has been my life for the past few months and it is beginning to take its toll. Overall, my football experiences has taught me that success can only be achieved through hard work and sacrifice. Not everyone was cut out to play college football, but those that have are truly the guys that i want to spend the next four years with.