Thank You, Bryant: Jack Ipsen

Bryant Athletics will feature "Thank You, Bryant" letters from senior student-athletes over the course of the next two weeks.

The New England Dawg U,

Thank you for welcoming me with open arms four years ago. You have given me all I could've asked for during my time here and I am entirely grateful for that! Words cannot describe how appreciative I am of the people this school has put in my life and the places it has taken me. Pitching in front of 8,000 fans at LSU and Arkansas or in the freezing rain at Virginia Tech, I will never take for granted the places that the sport of baseball has taken me, places that I could've only dreamed of years ago.

It has been an honor to put on the Bulldog jersey and represent all the things that this school stands for and the people before me who have paved the way for us to be here. Bryant Athletics would not be where we are without the generous support of President Machtley, Bill Smith and Bill Conaty. You guys have shown an unwavering commitment to all of us student-athletes. Seeing you guys at our practices and games and the personal relationships you have formed with us mean so much.

To Coach O and Coach Klosterman, thank you! Thank you for giving me this incredible opportunity to play the sport I've loved my whole life. You guys have taught me everything and have helped me become the man that I am. Your dedication and passion for the game doesn't go unnoticed and there is no one else in the country I would go to war for besides you guys. Coach Petey, Monny, Teddy, Pell, Buck, and of course my guy Kenny, THANK YOU for everything.

To the most influential person that I have been so lucky to befriend over my four years, Melanie Gran. Thank you for being the best athletic trainer in the world, working all day every day to make sure that we were healthy and staying on the field. You embody everything that Bryant is about. Your unselfishness is special, and I appreciate everything that you have done for me and my fellow Dawgs. On the field and off you have helped me in the lowest of lows and you were the first to cheer me on at my highest of highs. I will miss our dugout chats and annoying you to death for hours on end in the TR. Those are the moments I will cherish forever.

Thank you to our amazing faculty at Bryant. To my professors, academic advisors, and our facilities staff, thank you for your dedication to this school. Professor Baran and Professor Lynch, thank you for inspiring me to be much more than a student. The energy and love you had for your job made going to class every day that much more enjoyable. To the whole advising staff, thank you for keeping us on task and challenging us daily to excel in the classroom.

Last but not least, I want to thank my teammates. I love you guys and I wouldn't trade the relationships we have made for the world. The long bus rides, the cold practices, the late nights in the Conaty, playing in front of the "Faithful"; I wouldn't have wanted to do it with anyone else. We have accomplished so much in the last four years and we have left our mark on this program. We have a lot to be proud of and I know all of us will go on to make an even bigger impact in the world. Bryant University you have given me everything I need to succeed going forward in life and I am forever indebted to this community. I came here with the intention of winning championships, but I left with much more than that. Being a Bryant Bulldog is about family, it's about pushing each other to be the best we can be. I will never forget these four years for the rest of my life. Dawg4Life

Until next time Smithfield,

Jack Ipsen #34

PS: I think we have some unfinished business in Smithfield to take care of and I don't think I am ready to hang it up just yet. See you guys in September!