2008 Woodie Awards
Senior bids fond farewell to the coaches, players and fans
Gettin' your Phil
By Phil Swartzlander
Rocket Assistant Sports Editor
Issue date: 5/2/08 Section: Sports
This is it my friends, my last call, my last stand, the very last column you will see from me in The Rocket.
My time has drawn to a close at Slippery Rock University and it has been a beautiful ride. I have made some great friends that I will keep the rest of my life. I also have many memories that have shaped who I am today.
The first thing I want to do is thank you. Yes you, reading these words right now, because if it were not for you, my readers, my time and effort producing stories would not be worth it.
I also want to thank those who support me in everything I have done.
The person who will support me in anything I do and anything I will want to do in life, my father, gets the biggest thanks.
You have molded me into the man I am today and you are my inspiration in life. I would not be writing these words today without your help throughout the years.
And to the person who pushes me to be better in everything, my girlfriend Katie, you are the best thing that could have possibly happened to me. You push me to put forth my best and I do the same for you.
Now I suppose I should pass on a little of my knowledge that I have obtained throughout the years at the Rock.
To all the underclassmen that go home every weekend, stay and stop hanging on to your high school life.
SRU has more to offer than what you realize, mostly the friends you will make by just being here. Of course it is nice to go home and see your family, but it need not be every weekend.
Also, go out to the sporting events that happen every weekend.
Support your fellow classmates in their respective sports. It will also give you something to do.
Enjoy everything SRU has to offer.
Even though you may complain about the 10 feet of snow with 30 mile-an-hour winds, the lack of parking spots or the lack of green on campus, enjoy your time here. I know I have.
I have had the pleasure of watching and writing about our great student athletes who play for the love of the game.
Few of these players will get the chance to move on to play at a higher level, but each of them leave their hearts on the field every game.
I also would like to thank the coaches and players who have put up with the never-ending messages even though I know you are not in your office.
The coaches here are nothing but the best. They always have answered the tough questions and always supported their players.
Journalism is a career that is always under scrutiny for our errors, but never receive praise for our reporting. That is something I can live with.
I can also live with leaving this university without regret. I came, I learned and I will leave with a rock-solid education.
How cheesy, right?
I have had a ton of great times with The Rocket, especially with my editor Brandon.
It's always great to argue with you about stupid things like who is the better showboat, T.O. or Chad.
I also wish the best of luck to next year's staff, you all are very talented people and it was a pleasure to work with you. And this year's staff, I hope for all the best in the future.
As for me, this is it. Goodbye, Slippery Rock, it's been fun.
Phil Swartzlander is a senior communication major and the Assistant Sports editor for The Rocket.
My time has drawn to a close at Slippery Rock University and it has been a beautiful ride. I have made some great friends that I will keep the rest of my life. I also have many memories that have shaped who I am today.
The first thing I want to do is thank you. Yes you, reading these words right now, because if it were not for you, my readers, my time and effort producing stories would not be worth it.
I also want to thank those who support me in everything I have done.
The person who will support me in anything I do and anything I will want to do in life, my father, gets the biggest thanks.
You have molded me into the man I am today and you are my inspiration in life. I would not be writing these words today without your help throughout the years.
And to the person who pushes me to be better in everything, my girlfriend Katie, you are the best thing that could have possibly happened to me. You push me to put forth my best and I do the same for you.
Now I suppose I should pass on a little of my knowledge that I have obtained throughout the years at the Rock.
To all the underclassmen that go home every weekend, stay and stop hanging on to your high school life.
SRU has more to offer than what you realize, mostly the friends you will make by just being here. Of course it is nice to go home and see your family, but it need not be every weekend.
Also, go out to the sporting events that happen every weekend.
Support your fellow classmates in their respective sports. It will also give you something to do.
Enjoy everything SRU has to offer.
Even though you may complain about the 10 feet of snow with 30 mile-an-hour winds, the lack of parking spots or the lack of green on campus, enjoy your time here. I know I have.
I have had the pleasure of watching and writing about our great student athletes who play for the love of the game.
Few of these players will get the chance to move on to play at a higher level, but each of them leave their hearts on the field every game.
I also would like to thank the coaches and players who have put up with the never-ending messages even though I know you are not in your office.
The coaches here are nothing but the best. They always have answered the tough questions and always supported their players.
Journalism is a career that is always under scrutiny for our errors, but never receive praise for our reporting. That is something I can live with.
I can also live with leaving this university without regret. I came, I learned and I will leave with a rock-solid education.
How cheesy, right?
I have had a ton of great times with The Rocket, especially with my editor Brandon.
It's always great to argue with you about stupid things like who is the better showboat, T.O. or Chad.
I also wish the best of luck to next year's staff, you all are very talented people and it was a pleasure to work with you. And this year's staff, I hope for all the best in the future.
As for me, this is it. Goodbye, Slippery Rock, it's been fun.
Phil Swartzlander is a senior communication major and the Assistant Sports editor for The Rocket.
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