He wanted all sports to be successful. We just felt his support was unwavering.

Playing in such a great sports town and seeing the fan support was outstanding. But I wish we would have won that last game.

It's an amazing place. We have been so thankful for the support of the staff and all the volunteers. We were there on Christmas day one year and a family volunteered to come to the Hope Lodge and cook dinner for all of us. It was a mom, dad and their two daughters. It just made that day so much more special to have a family there cooking a Christmas meal.

We also got to spend a weekend living in a home with a family.

I was very impressed by that. They were just very self-disciplined.

After I returned to school, we received a large manila envelope filled with letters written back to several of our students. I hope it is the beginning of an ongoing pen-pal relationship.