Justin Byers - 2015 Athletic Awards Night Speech

Pictured from Left to Right: Director of Athletics Pam Roecker, Justin Byers ('15), Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Patricia Rissmeyer

Senior Justin Byers (Indianapolis, Ind.), a four-year member of the Saints Men's Lacrosse Team, addressed his fellow student-athletes as the "senior speaker" at Emmanuel's Athletic Awards Night on April 25, 2015. Justin's remarks are as follows:

"Good evening, it’s an honor to be able to speak to you all here tonight. First before I begin, I’d like to thank the faculty and staff of this wonderful institution, especially the Athletic Department for everything you do for us student-athletes on a daily basis.  Mr. Campagna, Ms. Mastronardi, Dr. Rissmeyer, and Ms. Roecker, my peers and I appreciate all you do to make sure our student-athletic experience reaches its full potential.  To our athletic training staff members, Ellie, Katie, and my long lost friend Ron, we cannot thank you enough for your dedication, expertise, and courage. It does not go unnoticed, especially after the ice age we just endured.

To Coach Burke, Coach Craven, and Coach Massa, playing for you over the last 4 years has been an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life. I sincerely appreciate each one of you for what you have meant to me throughout this journey. I would like to thank all the other coaches here tonight and the student-athletes of Emmanuel College, because without you, I would not be standing before you now.

I would like to thank Coach McWilliams for taking a chance on a lacrosse player from Indianapolis and giving him the opportunity to reach outside the box and not only better himself, but the world around him as well. And lastly I would like to thank my family. Especially my beautiful mother whose love and comfort could always be felt even though her son was sometimes 900 miles away. Without the support of my coaches, teammates, family, and student body, I would not be the man I am today.

I vividly remember 4 years ago, sitting on a plane 30,000 feet in the air, questioning myself on whether I had made the right decision. The idea of leaving the comfort of your home to venture hundreds of miles away to a place you know little about to pursue an education and a passion may ignite feelings of displacement, curiosity, and fear. However, an opportunity to grow and become more familiar with the world around me presented itself. I never would have guessed that my decision to attend Emmanuel College would be the best choice I’ve made in life so far.

Coming from a city where athletics reign supreme, my passion and excitement for sports, especially the game of lacrosse is deeply rooted. I have been blessed enough to win championships and a countless number of games in high school and at the place I now call home, this campus. My athletic experience has been filled with satisfaction and longevity. But with time, comes change and growth.

Through my student-athlete experience at Emmanuel College I have learned the foundation and values of hard work, self-determination, and patience. The hundreds of practices and games have instilled a competitive nature and an attention to detail that has been essential to the growth of my character. I have learned through experience as a student here that what one may view as monotonous may just well be the difference in victory or defeat, in this is true in athletics and life. The ability to be concise in one’s actions and to have fluidity in one’s work are characteristics I have inherited through my experience in this beautiful city.

When Pam asked me to speak to you all on this evening, I couldn’t have been more honored. To be able to share my experience with you makes me even more appreciative of the opportunities this institution and athletic department have given me. When attempting to describe my 4 years here as a student-athlete, there are two terms that attempt to embody my experience, they are “accountability” and “patience.”

Our first four years as a lacrosse team has taught me a lot about myself and teammates. From being a first-year program and having a 7-9 record my freshman season to a 13-4 record and 2 GNAC championships as of today I have learned that being patient and holding yourself accountable can produce tremendous outcomes.

Taking ownership of your responsibilities in the classroom and on the field ignites improvement for yourself and those around you. And this can be contagious. Knowing and accepting that you have made an error or have failed and acting to make yourself better from that point forward can be humbling but essential to reaching your full potential. I have been in every athletic situation imaginable. From starting, to fighting for reps in games and even practice. All the workouts, early morning wake up calls, the sprints, and bear crawls all test your strength and discipline, to the point where you question your loyalty to the game you love. However, the mindset to always strive to get better through holding yourself accountable and committing to the process through patience has created the framework needed to being successful.

Having the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful student body isn’t a right but a privilege. Each time I almost gave up or questioned my integrity and discipline, I reminded myself that the opportunity that I have right in front of me is one some would do anything for. It is important to remember that as a member of the student body of Emmanuel College you are a leader and set the standard for student-athletes to come.

With this come expectations. Doing the right things, when you think no one is watching, while taking advantage of your opportunities by working hard and having fun are all a part of the process. It is certainly not easy. For there are many distractions. But the will to withstand and overcome obstacles and distractions not only improve your strength but character and perception of the world around you.

Being a member of the Emmanuel community makes me take pride in what I do on a daily basis. I have pride in where I have come from, where I am, and where I’m going, due to the unconditional love and appreciation I have found on this campus. Having the ability to compete with “Emmanuel” across my chest drives the motivation to work hard and to give every ounce of my energy to what is asked of me. It is an experience that has been both rewarding and humbling. We are all blessed to be a part of such an outstanding athletic department and institution with beautiful facilities and even better people.

To the student –athletes here this evening, who are not seniors, make the most out of every minute of your time on this campus. Because great things, do come to an end. The relationships you build during your time here will last a lifetime. From the first moment I stepped on campus my family expanded, and this is something I will forever be thankful for. When the going gets tough, remind yourself that your experience at Emmanuel College is unique and something to cherish.

To my peers who are graduating with me, in a number of days. Sharing this wonderful place with you has been amazing. In whatever you do, from this point forward, know that you will always have your Emmanuel College family to rely on. To Joel Berger, Mike Donovan, Cody Gallagher, Jake Jaskoski, John Kearns, Austin Lauzier, Kevin McMichael, Geoff Morrissey, Jake Pickett, Jeremiah Trainor and Jack Ruggiero, the past 4 years with you men have been one hell of a ride. The laughs, the disputes, the memories we have shared over this time have made you all my brothers and that is something no one can take from me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sticking by me and making this experience the time of my life.

I could not be more thankful to have had the best 4 years of my life here at Emmanuel College but we must remember that this night culminates all the hard work we have done in order to reach our goals. The people I have met and the memories I have made here will be with me for the remainder of my life. I wouldn’t want to share this moment with anyone else but the people in this room. It is no mistake that we all here with one another. The bond I have made with this city,  this community, and especially the student body expands beyond friendship. As said by Desmond Tutu, “You don’t choose your family; They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” And thank you Emmanuel College for welcoming me with open arms.