Dear Northwestern: Anthony Walker, Jr.
6/15/2017 11:40:00 AM | Football
Dear Northwestern,
I just want to say thank you.
Thank you for taking me and my family into your loving and supportive community. Since the day I stepped on campus, I knew that this place was going to be special. However, I was still skeptical because I was so far away from home and I did not know anyone. It was tough not seeing my childhood friends every day and not playing my freshman year. I began to have doubts that this wasn't the place I should be.
Here is where I have to thank you the most Northwestern.
Throughout that long freshman year, I grew closer and closer with the entire athletic community. Keith Watkins II always found a way to get me out of my comfort zone or get me to feel like I was home. Four years later, Keith is my best friend and we are pretty much inseparable.
Thank you, Northwestern, for introducing me to my 'House 7 Squad' (Matthew Harris, Damilola Arowolaju, Kyle Queiro, Godwin Igwebuike, Keith Watkins II, and Marcus McShepard). The memories with these guys will last forever. Thank you for a great group of teammates that I was blessed to play with in my four years. Also, to my great friends of other sports, you all made my time at Northwestern really special. Especially, Jasmine Docal who told me the first time I met her, "We're going to be best friends." Now, we are!
Thank you, Northwestern, for giving me a coach that wasn't afraid to tell me that I wasn't good enough to play football in the Big Ten. Without this coach, I don't know how my career at Northwestern would have played out. This coach inspired an entirely new person inside of me and made me realize that I was wasting an opportunity that many of my childhood friends dreamed of. I was just happy to be playing Division I football. I knew that I had to make the most of this opportunity and every day after that conversation I vowed to do that. Thank you, Northwestern, for coach Marty Long.
Thank you, Northwestern, for the resources you provide athletes to excel not only on the field, but off the field as well. One of those great resources is my wonderful academic advisor, Kristin Kane-Herbison. Thank you for being there for me every step of the way. Whether it was making sure I was in class or just a piece of candy in the great stash you always have. I can now admit, that I was afraid of the academic load at Northwestern. I chose Northwestern because of the challenge, but I did have doubt. You helped me get rid of that doubt. Talking to you always seemed to calm my nerves and made me feel that I belonged here. Thank you, Northwestern, for pairing me with my wonderful advisor and helping me get my degree.
Thank you, Northwestern, for the times away from sports and academics that molded me into the man I am today. Joining Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, the beautiful city of Chicago, the Dillo Days, and the community outreach will always be a part of my time at Northwestern. They say college is all about what you make it. Thank you, Northwestern, for helping me make my college experience special.
And finally, a special thank you to Athletic Director Jim Phillips and my head coach Pat Fitzgerald for accepting me into the Northwestern family and make this place feel like home.
Sincerely,
Anthony Walker, Jr.
Northwestern Football
I just want to say thank you.
Thank you for taking me and my family into your loving and supportive community. Since the day I stepped on campus, I knew that this place was going to be special. However, I was still skeptical because I was so far away from home and I did not know anyone. It was tough not seeing my childhood friends every day and not playing my freshman year. I began to have doubts that this wasn't the place I should be.
Here is where I have to thank you the most Northwestern.
Throughout that long freshman year, I grew closer and closer with the entire athletic community. Keith Watkins II always found a way to get me out of my comfort zone or get me to feel like I was home. Four years later, Keith is my best friend and we are pretty much inseparable.
Thank you, Northwestern, for introducing me to my 'House 7 Squad' (Matthew Harris, Damilola Arowolaju, Kyle Queiro, Godwin Igwebuike, Keith Watkins II, and Marcus McShepard). The memories with these guys will last forever. Thank you for a great group of teammates that I was blessed to play with in my four years. Also, to my great friends of other sports, you all made my time at Northwestern really special. Especially, Jasmine Docal who told me the first time I met her, "We're going to be best friends." Now, we are!
Thank you, Northwestern, for giving me a coach that wasn't afraid to tell me that I wasn't good enough to play football in the Big Ten. Without this coach, I don't know how my career at Northwestern would have played out. This coach inspired an entirely new person inside of me and made me realize that I was wasting an opportunity that many of my childhood friends dreamed of. I was just happy to be playing Division I football. I knew that I had to make the most of this opportunity and every day after that conversation I vowed to do that. Thank you, Northwestern, for coach Marty Long.
Thank you, Northwestern, for the resources you provide athletes to excel not only on the field, but off the field as well. One of those great resources is my wonderful academic advisor, Kristin Kane-Herbison. Thank you for being there for me every step of the way. Whether it was making sure I was in class or just a piece of candy in the great stash you always have. I can now admit, that I was afraid of the academic load at Northwestern. I chose Northwestern because of the challenge, but I did have doubt. You helped me get rid of that doubt. Talking to you always seemed to calm my nerves and made me feel that I belonged here. Thank you, Northwestern, for pairing me with my wonderful advisor and helping me get my degree.
Thank you, Northwestern, for the times away from sports and academics that molded me into the man I am today. Joining Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, the beautiful city of Chicago, the Dillo Days, and the community outreach will always be a part of my time at Northwestern. They say college is all about what you make it. Thank you, Northwestern, for helping me make my college experience special.
And finally, a special thank you to Athletic Director Jim Phillips and my head coach Pat Fitzgerald for accepting me into the Northwestern family and make this place feel like home.
Sincerely,
Anthony Walker, Jr.
Northwestern Football
Players Mentioned
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