One final goodbye to USD

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Yeah, Jeremy already wrote his “goodbye” column in last week’s print issue of The Volante, but he still has more to say. Prepare for some reminiscing, memories and sappy prose.

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The thought of graduating has really hit me in the past week.

Maybe it was the stress of finals week, or finalizing every last detail for graduation, but for some reason, leaving USD has been hard to comprehend lately.

Call me crazy, but I’ll miss this place.

After five years and ten semesters, I’m officially leaving USD.

OK, enough with the sap. Let’s get to the good stuff: Coyote athletics.

I came to Vermillion in September 2003 with literally no background knowledge on the Coyotes, other than what I’d read in newspapers and watched on TV sports coverage. But right away I was thrown into the mix and quickly became familiar with the Coyote nation.

And from that day forward, it’s been one helluva ride.

In that span, I’ve watched Josh Mueller’s on-court antics. If you never got the chance to see Josh play, you really missed an experience. The dude was never quiet and never quit moving. He was always on the go. Always chattin’ with the refs. Always talkin’ with opponents.

In that span, I’ve watched the rebirth of USD football. I can still vividly remember watching the last USD/SDSU football game, not realizing the true magnitude of the game. It was the end of the rivalry. And as we learned later, the end of the road for Coyote coach John Austin. His exit opened the door for Ed Meierkort. And we all know what’s happened since….

In that span, I’ve watched the transition in Coyote women’s basketball. From the days of Mandy Koupal to the days of Meghan Woster to the days of Daly/Hoffman/Hoffman/Robinette/Yoerger. It all culminated with one weekend in Kearney, Neb. and one national championship game.

And in that span, I’ve watched the move to Division I.

And with that, it’s time for me to move on. Time to graduate and hit the road (30 miles down Highway 50 to Yankton).

Time for the Matt Dahlseid/Justin Rust era.

Ready, set, graduate.

— Jeremy Hoeck

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