It is a tradition at the Nicholls Worth for seniors to reflect on their journeys at Nicholls, so I guess I will keep that tradition going with this piece.
When my oldest sister decided to come to Nicholls back in 2001, I did not think too much of it. She walked onto the soccer team at Nicholls and played for two years and I visited her on numerous occasions. From that point forward, I knew I wanted to be a Colonel. Nicholls just felt homey, I guess.
Coming in as a freshman, I had no idea what to expect or who I would meet. My first year, like many others, ended poorly to say the least. I was placed on academic probation because of my outstanding 1.2 GPA. Good times.
My sophomore year is where I really began to get my feet under me. Perhaps one of the best things happened to me: I got a job with the Nicholls Football team as a videographer. My roommate from my first semester, Solomon, told me they were looking for people, so I thought “what the hell, why not.” My job was simple: film all practices and games and cut the film up. I continued that job until Nicholls had their last spring practice of 2014 just two and half weeks ago. That decision may have been the best decision I have ever made. As a result, I earned a scholarship and it motivated me to do better in school. That was not the only bonus. I met plenty of great people along the way who have helped me get jobs and opportunities.
Before my junior year began, former offensive lineman, Gerald Gruenig, came up to me and asked if I wanted to do a sports talk radio show next year and I said “absolutely.” We started doing “Overtime” and I have had too much fun with that show the last two years.
Mike Wagenheim has helped me get opportunity after opportunity from Board Operating Nicholls Baseball at KTIB, on-air reporting on the Colonel Insider for KXOR and on-air reporting Louisiana sports for Gumbo 94.9.
Senior year rolls around and here I am reporting for KXOR and Gumbo 94.9, sports director for KNSU and sports editor for the Nicholls Worth and of course traveling and still doing video with Nicholls Football. As I look back at all I have done in my five years at Nicholls, I cannot be more grateful for my time here. Quite honestly, I am glad I took a victory lap and did absolutely terrible my first year because it led me to all of this.
Thanks to Coach Stubbs, Coach Dillon, Mike Wagenheim, Brandon Ruttley, Rob Bernardi, Jamie Bustos, Clyde Verdin, Zack Carlton and everyone else from athletics who has helped me along the way.
Also thanks to Lance Arnold, Dr. Simoncelli, Dr. Stewart, Dr. Chiasson, Mrs. Nicki and the rest of the mass communication department.
Thank you for everything you all have done for me. You all have made my education and time at Nicholls that much better.
Let’s be honest, this reflection would not end any other way: “Thanks for coming out. We’ll call you!”