Nov. 18, 2004
Well, everyone this is it. Brace yourselves for the last Gillespie Gab ever (surely they won't still call it the Gillespie Gab next year after I'm not writing it, although it is a catchy title). Anyway, I first of all want to start by saying thank you all for reading this article every week. I've enjoyed all the feedback that you and your children have sent to me. Thanks for the support, and keep in mind that I am soon to be a graduate of Marist College and will be in search of a job, internship, graduate assistant placement, etc. (wink, wink).
I want to thank our head Coach for putting up with us this year. I know we haven't been the best but hopefully we'll all learn from the experiences we went through and will improve on what needs to be improved. Good luck as you continue to coach, and in everything else that you do. If you ever need to get someone going just remember you always got the running man as back up. Also, a suggestion for next year with these inexperienced direction readers, you can go to Wal-Mart and buy an atlas for about $5.00. It may prevent your van from getting lost and the assistant coach's van behind you from having any close calls.
Coach Katie, thank you for everything that you have done. I wish you could stay and continue to coach the girls, but we understand that you need to move on. Plus, since you're moving out of here, hopefully you'll find some tall guys since we all know these ones up here are short. My suggestion is the Midwest, we seem to breed them tall out there. Good luck next year with all that you do, and the years to come. You were a huge asset to this team and school and will definitely be missed.
To my girls...it really does go fast, before you know it you'll be done. So take advantage of everyday where you get to play and enjoy it as much as you can while it lasts. Plus you know spring season will make up for all the fun times we missed out on during season. Thanks for all the memories...Yolanda flying through the air, the Secret Santa gift exchange, preseason, preseason, preseason, spring season, and everything between. Without girls like you, it would have been much harder to make it through these past four years of volleyball. Good luck with the years to come, and remember that there will be an old lady somewhere in this nation checking up on you, but you better keep in touch too! Love you girls!
My family, wow, what can I say? You are just simply amazing. Although, I probably only think this cause I've been away from you for long periods of time. Seriously though, when you surround yourself with people who make you smile you become happy; and that's what my family does for me. Thanks for all the support. You guys know I could have never done any of this without your encouragement and backing...and money. But remember that cruise and everything else I'll be doing to pay you back when I become a rich woman. Thanks for teaching me when I was young that I could do anything I want, and for continuing to encourage me to go as far as I could and never look back. You guys have been the best, and I could not have asked for more.
Well, that's about it. Thanks to everyone who has made this possible. I'm glad to have finished the season and to still be walking afterwards. The experiences volleyball has brought me will take me much further in life, and will help me with difficult situations I will face. I don't think anything could ever be as tough as those stairs back and forth from the McCann center during preseason. If I can make it through that, I can make it through anything! Thanks everyone!
