FROM CURRENT SENIOR NICK ZITAGLIO
Just four short years ago, I was sitting over there at that back table. A shy senior from Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas who had no idea what he wanted to do with his life after high school. As many of you do I would assume you had the same options as I once did as a high school senior? Decisions such as……Do I want to play football? Go to a big university or a small one……and do I want to stay in state? I looked at several universities, even ones in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. But when I walked on the campus of Austin College, I knew this is where I wanted to call my home for the next four yours. Now I stand here today as a senior, and I can confidently say that choosing Austin College and being apart of the Austin College football team has been the greatest experience of my life and it has changed my life for the better. Being a part of the Kangaroo football team over the past 4 years has been a memorable experience that has given me a lifetime of memories and great friends. I had the great honor of being able to play and contribute my freshman year. Our first game was against Texas Lutheran. Let’s just say the heat index on the field that day was about 105 degrees. Even though we lost the game, I knew that deciding to play football for the Roos is one of best decisions I have made in life. Now after 4 years of playing, the only thing I wish right now is that I could have one more year to play. After playing football for 11 years, it was a very emotional but gratifying feeling when my last game concluded.
The SCAC is one of the most competitive conferences in D III. Every year we compete for and have the potential to win a conference championship. And I can assure you that these men amongst you are some of the most determined, toughest, and competitive athletes that I have ever been around. It is rewarding to know that I was a part of growth of Austin college football over the past 4 years. But what makes me even more excited is that this team will only become better and better. A great analogy I would use to describe the future Austin college football is that we knocked on the door of the SCAC in 2009, but now we are ready to bust the door in 2010 and with the help of you younger guys, you all can make that happen. I guarantee it.
But what kept me at Austin College and made this a great experience, are the people that I have been surrounded by on the football team for over the past 4 years. First, I would like to start with the coaching staff. Without a doubt, I guarantee that throughout the nation you will not find a more dedicated staff that not only wants to win on Saturdays, but will care about you as a person. And parents, after being here I can safely say that these coaches will care for your son like they were their own and will take them from a high school senior, and help them mature into a respectful gentlemen.
Next, my teammates that now consist of this Austin College football team. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that some of my best friends would come from towns such as Lewisville, Georgetown, and Stinnette. Sadly I will be unable to play with those for AC this upcoming season since I'm graduating, but guys I can tell you first hand that it would be difficult to find better teammates than the ones sitting amongst you right now. These are some of the hardest working and at times the goofiest guys that I have had the pleasure to be around. And one of the greatest qualities of our team is that everyone is treated as equals. Older guys and younger guys get along great. But nothing got me more fired up on Saturdays than being on the same field with players such as Matt Finke, Austin Light, Evan Coachman, Kenneth Enah, Tommy Koch, Ethan Tanner, Ryan Simons, and Reed Eichenberger. I am glad to call all of these guys not only my teammates but great friends.
Another quality that attracted me to Austin College is its outstanding academic reputation. Trust me guys, you do not have to be a straight A student to be successful at Austin College. With the help of Austin College, I will be able to graduate this May with a double major in Business/Economics. These are some of the brightest professors in the nation, and they want you to succeed just as much as coaches would in football. But they are also going to push you in the class room as the coaches would do on the football field and weight room. They also expect you to give the same effort as you would in athletics into your school work.
As I close, Austin College is a special place. It means the world to me and I would give my right arm to see continued success in the future. With the help of the new President Majorie Hass, and Head Coach Loren Dawson this college and football program will see continued success. Austin College takes students and breeds them to be upstanding citizens who are prepared to take on the challenges in the real world. Unfortunately, I will be unable to be a part of this team during the 2010 season, but I will be a part of the couch crew in end zone every Saturday with several other alumni football players cheering on my Kangaroos. My last bit of advice for you seniors/juniors is too enjoy every second of high school, because I have tried to slow down my senior year but my time here is just going by way to fast. Thank you for your time, and I hope your path leads you Austin College and onto the football field come August. GO ROOS!