Perspectives • Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Daily Wildcat •
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College sports: It’s more than just games I was fixated on the box score and only knew a player by his signature crossover or fluid jump shot. But after working my way into sports media and gaining more and more experience, sports took on a whole Mike Schmitz new element that each and every Daily Wildcat person should be able to appreciate. By writing feature after feature I cheat sheet taped to your forearm very soon-to-be college learned about the human behind during finals week, or that employee the athlete. I was enlightened about graduate has a list of people they’d like to thank for helping at Mama’s Hawaiian BBQ for always the role of sports as therapy to some them do what can seem impossible cooking chicken katsu to perfection, people who had nothing else. even at 3 a.m. — actually earn a diploma. The use of sports to overcome As I enter my final descent into For some, that list includes their life’s obstacles intrigued me, and the dreaded reality of the world mother for unknowingly funding I became driven to make sure outside college, I’m thankful for my the general public felt the same their daytime trips to Frog & Firkin to complete their beer card and earn family, my friends, my professors, admiration as I did for what these my co-workers, my cab drivers and that coveted T-shirt or mug. athletes had conquered. everyone else that made my college Or maybe it’s their father for The best moments of my experience the best four years of my sports writing career didn’t come not realizing that books don’t cost life. But more than anything, I’m $2,000, and their little boy or girl is from covering a bowl game or a thankful for sports, because without postseason tournament. Through draining their bursar’s account to athletics, I wouldn’t have been buy iPads or Clinique makeup. my work at ValleyoftheSuns.com, I’ve able to do what I love at the Daily The rest may be thanking their been fortunate enough to interview Wildcat for the last three years. resident assistant for not noticing greats like Steve Nash, Grant Hill, For most people, sports are the potent smell coming from their Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson and Alvin about the highlight dunks, 80-yard dorm room, that police officer Gentry, among others. touchdown runs, walk-off home for his inability to hop that fence I’ve been in a playoff runs and championship rings. I behind you and hand out an MIP, environment, covering Suns used to share that train of thought. that teacher for failing to notice the practices during the Western
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Conference Finals. I’ve been a floor below the Phoenix Suns draft room in US Airways Center to cover the NBA Draft. Yet, despite these amazing experiences, my best memories are hearing the stories of the UA’s collegiate athletes and watching the emotion they carry with them into battle. Because of the power of sports, I saw former UA interim football coach Tim Kish, who played at West Point, begin to cry during his last weekly press conference as head honcho. Thanks to sports, I witnessed former UA receiver Gino Crump pour out tears of joy in the media room after the Wildcats stunned ASU in Tempe, Ariz., last season. On the flip side, I witnessed the pain of defeat, as Kyle Fogg sat with his head in his jersey without moving an inch for 30 minutes after Colorado defeated Arizona in the Pac-12 Tournament Championship. Because of collegiate competition, I was able to hear the story and struggles of deaf former UA swimmer Marcus Titus. I had
May 2012
the pleasure of sharing the life of once-homeless Dame Ndiaye. I was let in on the life of Tevin Hood, whose work in the classroom defied all athlete stereotypes. If I were to speak at graduation, I’d thank sports and all of the athletes who allowed me to hear their stories and share them with the public. Sports are more than just a game, they’re a metaphor to life. It’s therapy for those who could use it, and it’s an outlet for those looking to escape. Thank you sports for not only helping me rake in underwhelming pay checks for three years — yes I’m talking to you Daily Wildcat and the dying paper industry — but also for providing me with amazing experiences, introducing me to remarkable people, and giving me a new perspective on athletics. I’m forever grateful. Now, if I could only find a job. — Mike Schmitz is a marketing senior. He can be reached at sports@wildcat.arizona.edu or on Twitter via @Mike_Schmitz.
Congratulations AREC graduates!
Noelle Yousef Al-Abdulrahim Anthony Michael Beckham Jeramie L. Black Yadira Caballero Nicole Christine Dishner Edgar Duran Nicole Alexandria Ferrero Kimberly Bryce Grennan Jeff Blake Hanger David Allen Hutchison, Jr. Dylan Fredrick Kennedy
Stacey E. Lander Jordan Conrad Lynch Danielle Alyssa Marquez Esteban Martinez John Edward Maxwell David T. Meek Chris S. Millner Omar S. Molina Colin Andrew Moore Timothy McAdams Morrison
Kincey Yee Moy Savill G. Noriega Ryan Gabriel Ruiz Mark Andrew Schleter Shaina A. Shay Patrick Richard Simmerman Christopher Spencer Carlos C. Tellez Lisa M. Vejar Christian Eduardo Villanes Seth A. Williams
Marisol Casal Cresencio Celaya Matthew Robert Duncan Joshua Stephen Goulet Kendra Joe
Amir Keshtkar Hamza M. Kolaghsi Juan Estevan Mercado Samuel Alexander Morehead Alexander Joel Tipton
August 2012 Emily Anderkin Sean William Arrington Theodore P. Bisbicos Ian L. Briggs Ross M. Caputo
We’re proud of you.
Residence Life would like to congratulate the following Spring 2012 graduates: PhD
Rebecca Covarrubias Jacob Israel Favela Michelle Gamber
Master’s
Matthew Hageny Stephanie Hanson Lexie Kamerman Rebecca Kopp Russell Martin Charles Petranek Whitney Sheets Christine Shultz Cassandra Stout
J.D.
Shijie Feng
Pharm.D.
Rachel Ogumbo
Bachelor’s
Kaitlin Akif Jennifer Alexander Emily Anderkin Mike Anderson Jillian Andrews Anna Aper Rebecca Archer Jennifer Attwood
Bachelor’s (Con’t)
Mary Benjamin Jessica Berger Caitlin Berry Lauren Bressick Chelsea Bridgewater Jason Brown Courtney Burford Tristyn Case Krystal Chee Alex Clark Jonathan Cohen Perez Margaret Collier Ryan Compton Stephen Conaster Megan Condo Michael Engen Jasimine Evans Kevin Ferguson Alison Furuto Lynn Garnaat Emile Gordon Jenna Grover Stephen Hall Stephanie Hall Sarah Herndon Michael Hoffman Helena Holmes Nabila Huq Stuart Ingersoll Rachelle Jones Matthew Justice
Thank you for all your hard work and dedication!
Bachelor’s (Con’t)
Kara Kennard Marissa Kryger Breanna Lance Alexander Langer Francisco Lara-Garcia Joshua Leimkuehler Yanet Lopez Corey Lueker Brian Martinez Rachel Martinzez Wana Mathieu Ryan McAbee Katelyn McElhany Parker McLaughlin Jonathan Michel Caitlin Milder John Minton Jordan Montgomery Melissa Montoya Meghan Morris Joe Pacini Chloe Patmore Britney Patton Amy Picone Elyse Pincus Kevin Pounds Jeff Ramos Jaclyn Robertson Ethan Rogers Jenna Roller Jaclyn Rose
Bachelor’s (Con’t)
Jaimy Schlesing Kristina Scott Laura Seekatz Emily Smalle Kathleen Swenson Catheryn Tarazi Naomi Tasky Stacey Taubel Allyson Tepe Sarah Therio James Vancel Matt Velasky Tabitha Venezia Shelby Vogl Stephen Wallace Li Wang Ryan Ward David Ware Katherine Weingartner Megan Williamson Felicia Wilson Jazmine Woodberry Justin “Alex” Yang Mirtha Zamudio Nicole Zeunen