Indiana University Athletics
Farewell to a Senior: Kristen Zmijewski
3/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Graduating Senior Kristen Zmijewski (Midfielder)
When I was asked to write a goodbye note or a senior recap, I thought to myself, I can do that. It should be pretty easy to talk about my experience playing soccer at IU. However, I think I have sat down to write it about four times and each time I just did not know what to say. Actually, I think I knew what to say, but it's a little difficult to put into words.
Then the other day, I was eating dinner with my lovely teammate Shannon Vnoucek and we started talking about soccer and how it's weird that I'm done playing. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I couldn't really put my entire four years into a simple entry. If someone wanted to sign me for a book contract I could probably write a book for you. However, an entire book probably would not quite get the point across of my whole experience.
It's surprising to me that I cannot seem to write about my four years. I just feel if I tried to talk about all the stories, inside jokes and games it could not engulf all the great, hard, trying, funny and overall priceless times my career at IU has given me.
I guess I can say that the past four years have been great! Although, there have been times when I would simply like to forget about certain games, practices or running sessions. However, when I think back to them now, I would not change a thing.
I have gotten to know some awesome people, and have made some amazing friends who continually crack me up on a daily basis.
Being part of a team is a very rewarding experience, and I would not trade that for anything. Overall, I have learned a lot in the past four years and it has been a wonderful experience. Like I said, it is hard to describe all four years, so my best advice is for you to come and experience it for yourself. I almost feel like, since I cannot put it into words, it was just that good that it has rendered me speechless.
Before I go, I have to thank my parents and my family for continually giving me confidence, and not to mention traveling all over the country to watch me play soccer.
My Mom (Jean) and Dad (Mike) simply are amazing parents. I know I can count on one hand the number of games my parents have missed my entire four years. So thanks Mom and Dad for driving all over the country, including to Minnesota and to Penn State in one weekend to simply watch me play a total of 180 minutes of soccer.
I also cannot forget to thank my coaches, trainers and my teammates for a great experience!
Now, I do not feel like this is a goodbye forever, more like I am passing off the reins of the program to its new up-and-coming stars. I will always remember my times here at IU and will never forget my Hoosier experience.
I guess ff you are ever visiting North Carolina, feel free to pay a little visit and say hello. Who knows, maybe I can make you some sweet tea.
