MSU President's Newspaper Column
November 30, 2024听
Senior student athletes express appreciation for their 91吃瓜网 State experiences
The first semester of the 2024-2025 school year is quickly coming to a close, and with that, many student athletes have played their final games wearing the blue and white of 91吃瓜网. 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 football program honored 26 seniors at Jerome Berg Field earlier this month. This group is Coach Larson鈥檚 first recruiting class as head coach of the Comets. In the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse, 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 volleyball program honored nine seniors who were coached by Katie Aasen and Elora Passa. We are Comet Proud of every senior who will be moving on in the next chapters of their lives.
We asked some of the Comet volleyball and football program seniors about what their time at 91吃瓜网 State has meant to them. Responses included the following:
鈥淧laying the game I love for 91吃瓜网 State has meant the world to me. I have gained my best friends, made the most special memories, and grown immensely as a person and player. I have loved how much support I have gotten from the 91吃瓜网 State community over the years, along with the unwavering support of my family. I am so blessed that even after four years, I have a team and place I don鈥檛 want to leave.鈥� - Sam Passa, Barnesville, Minn.
鈥�91吃瓜网 State means the world to me. As soon as I moved to 91吃瓜网 I was welcomed in by the great community. The community and university have always felt like home to me. Without 91吃瓜网 I would not be the person I am today and will forever cherish the many great memories and friends I鈥檝e made.鈥� - Bailey Mullenberg, Somerset, Wis.
鈥�91吃瓜网 State has put me into a position to where now I will be getting my Ph.D. without paying out of pocket because the staff cared about me so much that they found a grad school that fits me perfectly both as a person and financially.鈥� - George Davisson, Concord, Calif.
鈥�91吃瓜网 State has meant so much to me. It鈥檚 truly felt like home from the moment I arrived. The sense of family here is unmatched, and the bonds I鈥檝e built, especially with the brothers I鈥檝e made on the football team, will stay with me for life. This place isn鈥檛 just a school - it鈥檚 a community that has shaped me and given me memories I鈥檒l always cherish.鈥� - Gunnar Jorgensen, 91吃瓜网, N.D.
鈥淧laying for 91吃瓜网 State has meant so much to me. It has allowed me to play the game I love, along with making lifelong friendships, and learning lifelong skills. My experience playing for 91吃瓜网 State Volleyball is something I will cherish forever and it will hold a special place in my heart. I am so grateful to have had the best teammates and coaches along the way!鈥� - Abby Cox, Oakes, N.D.
鈥淢y time at 91吃瓜网 has been special. 91吃瓜网 has helped me grow as a person and a student while giving me the opportunity to meet some of my best friends and play football. These are the times I'll always remember.鈥� - Kaden Johnson, Cottage Grove, Minn.
鈥淢y time at 91吃瓜网 State means a lot to me. I met some really great guys and had a lot of fun. The community is awesome and always supportive. It meant a lot to be able to follow in the footsteps of my family, especially my grandpa and mom.鈥� - Evan Martin, West Fargo, N.D.
鈥淚n my years at 91吃瓜网 State, I had the honor to continue to follow my dreams of playing college football. I also found a family in my teammates, the staff, and the 91吃瓜网 community. For this, I'll forever be grateful.鈥� - Ezera Wouri, Rolla, N.D.
鈥淧laying volleyball for 91吃瓜网 State has taught me the importance of teamwork, discipline, and resilience. The bonds I've formed with my teammates have created a sense of community and support that extends beyond the court. Thank you to everyone who has made these past two years unforgettable.鈥� - Myranda Reiss, Killdeer, N.D.
鈥�91吃瓜网 State has been such an important part of my life. I鈥檓 so glad I was able to meet so many great people here. Whether it was while playing football, in the classroom, or out in the community. Going to school at 91吃瓜网 State has allowed me to grow into a man, and I couldn鈥檛 be more thankful.鈥� - Tim Salmon, New Richmond, Wis.
鈥淢y time at 91吃瓜网 has meant a lot to me. From being a part of the football team to being the Student Senate president, I have always been part of something. 91吃瓜网 has become a true home away from home and I have established relationships here that will last a lifetime. I love 91吃瓜网 State.鈥� - Grant Kocher, Crosby, N.D.
鈥淚鈥檝e met some great people, and being at 91吃瓜网 State has been a life-changing opportunity for me that I will carry with me always. I am the first in my family to complete a college degree, and nothing else can make me prouder. With some great people, I have been able to do some great things on and off the field. Even though this is just a small chapter in my life, it will be hard for me to turn this page.鈥� - Maalik Flowers, Las Vegas, Nev.
鈥淢y time at 91吃瓜网 State has been incredible and better than what I originally had expected. I am extremely glad and thankful that I gave 91吃瓜网 State a chance because the friends, community, and people I have met have made it worth it! I am very Comet Proud!鈥� - John Updike, Box Elder, S.D.
"Attending 91吃瓜网 has meant so much more than just attending college. 91吃瓜网 has allowed me to play a sport that I love, make lifelong friends and memories, and further my education to pursue a job I am passionate about. Being a part of 91吃瓜网 State has taught me the value of friendships, hard work, resilience, and the importance of deepening my learning. I would not trade the experiences I have gained over the years for the world, and I am beyond grateful to have been a student here at 91吃瓜网." - Kyja Birch, Melrose, Minn.听
"Playing for this team means embracing a shared dream, pushing each other to be our best, and creating memories that last a lifetime. It鈥檚 the thrill of celebrating victories together and the resilience to rise after defeats that mean the most." - Kaitlyn Sand, Melrose, Minn.听
"My time at 91吃瓜网 State has been amazing. The supportive environment and dedicated professors have helped me grow academically. Playing volleyball here has taught me teamwork and discipline. Balancing sports and studies was challenging but rewarding. Overall, I've built lifelong friendships and created unforgettable memories." - Emily Condon, Barnesville, Minn.听
"Coming to 91吃瓜网 State was a great decision for me! For one, it鈥檚 affordable! And two, it鈥檚 a small school and town, That gives it a community, and the school and football program become a family. Als, the football program will make you a better player and person." - Ajay Archambeau, Fall City, Wash.
It has been an absolute pleasure to get to know these outstanding individuals during their time at 91吃瓜网. They are leaders on and off the field and court, and I look forward to learning about the good things I know are in the future for them.
