The 'Cats celebrate 2013 during the program's annual banquet.

Team, Excellence, Attitude, Class

The 2013 Linfield Wildcats met for the final time last night at Michelbook Country Club in McMinnville for the team’s annual banquet.   It was a packed house as the program celebrated another tremendous season jammed full of accomplishments. 

The 11-1 season saw Linfield capture their 5th consecutive Northwest Conference title, ranked as high as #2 in the country, advanced to the elite 8 of the NCAA playoffs before falling to the eventual National Champions (Whitewater) in Wisconsin.  The ‘Cats had the #1 scoring offense in the country in racking up 48.8 points per game and boasted the #1 rushing defense in the country in only yielding 60.2 rushing yards per game (only gave up 4 rush TD’s on the year).  On top of that, you throw in numerous team and individual honors and it was another remarkable season to celebrate in the ‘Catdome. 

Below are this year’s team awards and it’s great to see so many players recognized by their peers and coaches for the work they’ve put into this program.  Go ‘Cats!

2013 Linfield Football Team Awards

Best Defensive Scout Player:   Logan Krellwitz, Defensive Back, Senior, West Linn, Or.

Best Offensive Scout Player:    Jordy Romick, Running Back, Senior, Grants Pass, Or.

Rookie of the Year:    Spencer Payne, Running Back, Freshman, McMinnville, Or.

Most Improved:    Alex Hoff, Defensive End, Sophomore, Lebanon, Or.

Best Special Teams Player:    Jordan Giza, Defensive Back, Junior, Salem, Or.

Best Offensive Lineman:    Eric Pitassi, Offesnive Guard, Sophomore, West Linn, Or.

Best Defensive Lineman:    Jeremy Girod, Defensive Tackle, Junior, Vancouver, Wa.

Best Offensive Player(s):   
Josh Yoder, Quarterback, Senior, Canby, Or.
Josh Hill, Running Back, Senior, Portland, Or.

Best Defensive Player:    Dominique Forrest, Linebacker, Senior, Portland, Or.

Offensive Captain:    Josh Yoder, Quarterback, Senior, Canby, Or.

Defensive Captain:    Dominique Forrest, Linebacker, Senior, Portland, Or.

Defensive Captain:    Tyler Steele, Defensive Tackle, Senior. Salem, Or.

Most Inspirational:    Tim Edmonds, Linebacker, Portland, Or.

John LaRosa “Commitment To Excellence Award":   
Jacob Priester, Tight End, Patterson, Ca.

Willis Baker Team Most Valuable Player(s):
Dominique Forrest, Linebacker, Senior, Portland, Or.
Josh Yoder, Quarterback, Senior, Canby, Or.

Hit or be Hit

(View in Firefox or Chome) The 2013 Linfield Football Banquet is this week and I'm fired up to roll out the 2013 Highlight Video. 1 hour and 26 minutes of the 'Catdome in action!

I love it!

Snow Globe 'Catdome

The Pacific Northwest Valley areas experienced rare snow accumulation this past weekend as 8-10 inches of snow hit the area. While it was a fun weekend the melt-off is happening but before the melt we took some cameras out to the stadium to capture the 'Catdome in full snow glory.

2013 Linfield Senior Class says “Thank You” (Part 2 of 2)

Yesterday, we presented part 1 of the 2013 Linfield College Football Senior Thank You post.  This is a large and tremendous group of players that we thought it would be best to give you this now tradition in two servings.  Below is part 2 and the Seniors below provide you with a great reminder of why this program is so cared about and why it's so successful.  This program is more than just football, it's about helping this young men build a foundation of success for the rest of their lives. 

#21 Reid Sullivan, Receiver

I'd like to first thank everyone who I crossed paths with in my four years at Linfield. I would especially like to thank my Mother and Father who continually supported me and pushed me to execute at my best both on the field and off the field. Without them I would have never had the chance to me part of this amazing program. I'd also like to thank all of our coaches and especially coach Yen and coach Fendall who got me to Linfield in the first place. I would last to like to thank all my teammates who made training, practice, games and meetings the most memorable times in my life. Thank you catdome for the best four years of my life that I will never forget. Roll cats!

Sincerely,
Reid Sullivan

#28 Michael MacClanathan, Defensive End

I would first like to thank my Linfield coaches who have me the opportunity to play for one of the greatest teams in the nation. I can truly say that if have never had coaches who cared for me the way our coaching staff did during my four year adventure. I would also like to thank Ryan Carlson for all the incredible work that he has done. Because of him, I can show my children what life was like as a Linfield Wildcat. I would like to thank all of the trainers who kept me going through the season. Last but not least, I would like to thank my parents Todd and Linda for always being there for. Without them, I could not be where I am today. I have a supporting father and mother who have demonstrated for me what it’s like to be a great football player and an even better person.

 #31 Brandon Funk, Corner

Over the course of my football career there have been countless people who have helped me become the man I am today and the football player I was able to be for the last 10 years or so. So first and foremost, I'd like to thank every single person who has had an impact on me both from a positive standpoint and a negative standpoint because both have helped immensely.

With that said in particular I would like to thank my high school coaching staff and in particular Craig Whitney and Doug Semler. Whit is a great coach and helped our class of 2010 think about not just the four years we would spend in high school, but the kind of people we wanted to be for the rest of my life. Semler and I had a player coach relationship that not many would understand, but it helped me develop an understanding of the game mentally and he taught me more about the mental and psychological aspect of the game.

I'd like to thank the people who gave me the tools I needed physically to become the player I was during my time at Linfield. First of those people is Drew Buchkoski who over the last 6 years shaped me into a completely functional athlete from head to toe. Butch also served as a mentor and over time a close friend and I'd like to thank him for not only the gains from a strength and conditioning standpoint, but from a mentality standpoint and helping me develop into a complete athlete and person. Also, I'd like Vic Wallace who helped me get everything out of the skills that I had and then more and for teaching me that nothing in life is perfect, but to always strive to try and be.

Next I'd like to thank all the people at Linfield including everyone from the staff to the players who have become brothers to the Linfield community in general. These people and the collective impacts they've had on myself as a person have giving me the opportunity to meet the people who I will be friends with for the rest of my life and to be a part of something as great as Linfield is.

Lastly, but not least I'd like to thank my pops, Mark Funk he's not only my father but he is my best friend and has been there literally since day one. He has always given me the strength and courage to try and do what others said I couldn't. He has been my number one fan for everything from tee ball to the last whistle in Wisconsin marking my last down as a college football player. Without him I would have never gotten the chance to experience the best four years of my life to date here at Linfield so I would like to give him the most thanks.

-Brandon Funk

#49 KeAlii Poomaihealani, Defensive End

It has been a very intriguing and exciting career here at the Catdome. Throughout these four years I have drastically grown on and off the field. I've learned so much from the people I was surrounded by; coaches, professors, players, and students. I will cherish all of these moments till I go to the grave.
I’d like to thank the coaching staff, including Coach Yen and Coach Fendall, for teaching, coaching, and molding me into the person I am today. I'd like to thank all the fans and the community for all the support and bringing an uplifting energy to the games. I'd like to thank Carls for all the hard work he has done for this program and helping me get through these years. Most importantly I'd like to thank my family for all the sacrifices they have given for me to have this opportunity.

#50 Mike Maierhofer, Defensive Tackle

I want to thank my biggest fan, my mom Dorianne Ricci for all of the support that she has given me during my 16 years of playing football. Without her, I would not be where I am today and I am eternally grateful. I also want to thank the rest of my family for their continued support of my endeavors. Also, I would like to extend my gratitude to my Linfield Wildcat family as well. All of the coaches, fans and players that helped me realize what it means to be a Wildcat.

#59 Tyler Steele, Defensive Tackle

First and foremost I would like to thank my parents. Dad you've been my biggest supporter on and off the field. I wouldn't have been able to make it at Linfield and I am very appreciative of all you've done for me. Mom, thank you for the countless phone calls me venting about school, phone calls and just emotional checkups. Your support has been crucial to my career at Linfield. Gloria, thank you for being the biggest Linfield fan and supporter. No matter where we were playing I could always hear you and it was good knowing you were there. I love all of you.

Next, I would like to thank my siblings. Brad, thank you for being the reason I went to Linfield. Zach, thanks for the countless texts asking how the games went and games you came to. Alex, thank you for coming to Linfield! The 9 games we played in together are memories I will cherish forever. Continue to work hard and your potential is limitless. Hayley, thank you for helping me pass nutrition and physiology.

Coach Bacus, thank you for pushing me to go to Linfield and teaching me the defensive line technique before I even got to Linfield.

Coach Ryan Carlson, thank you for making the Linfield that much better. The highlight videos allow us to have the memories forever a play button push away.

Coach Haze, thanks for the friendship and foot jokes over the years. You’re a player’s coach, and we all need that. A thank you does not justify all you've done.

Coach Rombach, thank you for the constant energy! I've never seen anyone have the amount of energy you do.

Coach Smith, thank you for recruiting me. Thank you for giving me the experience you promised when you recruited me. You're doing a great job with this program and you do things the right way!!!

Coach Vaughan, thank you for taking a chance on me my freshman year and continuing to give me opportunities to be successful. Thank you for giving us your time when you have a family that rarely sees you during football season. Also, thank you to your wife for allowing you to spend so much time with us to be successful.

Seniors, thank you for the last 4 years. Your class is the most talented group I've seen in my 5 years. There is no doubt you'll all be successful in life. Never forget the fun we've had. I love you all.
Current and future cats thank you for your continual work ethic and passion. Continue the winning ways of Linfield. Do the right things all the time, not just in football but off the field too. You only have 4 years they go by faster than any word can describe. I would go through 5 more ACL surgeries to have one more week with my guys. To watch domo dance pregame, to have Forman blast Bangarang, to watch the defensive backs throw the chairs.

Thank you all!!!
Tyler Steele #59

#66 Zach Hickman, Offensive Guard

First off, Thanks WC11 for giving us the opportunity to do this. I know you hear it a a lot, but the 'Catdome would not be the same without you and I personally want to thank you for everything you have done for the program and for me during my time here

Wow! It's weird to look back at my football career and all the great memories I've made and people I've met. Since beginning football in the 3rd grade, I have been in love with the sport. I have learned more about myself as a person through football than I probably would like to admit. However, as my time here at the 'Catdome comes to a close, I have to say my last 4 seasons of football were some of the most fun and memorable I have ever been a part of. The 'Catdome has been the greatest class I have ever taken or probable ever will take in my life. There is no way to fully describe what this program does for you as not only a football player, but as a man. I can honestly say that I have zero regrets about choosing to play football here at Linfield and if I had to do it all over again, I would come here once again in a heartbeat.

There are some people though that I would personally like to thank for everything that they have done for me throughout my football career. I wish I could go through and name each and every person, but there are far too many to name them all

To the 2010 Hilhi Coaching Staff and Team: Thank you all for everything you did, I would not be where I am today without all of your effort and constant support, even after I graduated. You're some of the greatest coaches and friends I have ever been around. Some of you remain my closest friends and often times when things got tough around here, and I had doubts about playing, I thought of you guys and how lucky I was to be where I am.

To the Catdome staff: Thank you for all of your hard work and effort behind the scenes that many don't get to see. You guys work harder than any coaching staff I have ever seen or been around and you coached us in more than just football, and for that I thank you again.

To my Parents: I don't even know where to begin. You have been my rock since the beginning and have supported me through everything I have done. You've been there to wipe my tears after a tough loss and to share a hug filled with tears of joy after winning it all. Through it all, you have always been there and you have sacrificed more than anyone will probably ever know just to see me succeed and be happy. I don't think I can summarize how lucky I am to have both of you in my life in this simple rundown, so all I can say for now is that I love you both and this IS NOT the end of football in our house

Lastly, I want to thank all the guys that were on the teams I was lucky enough to be a part of during my time here. I got to meet some great guys and made some life long friends that I wouldn't trade for the world. It's weird to put a close to this chapter of my life, but looking forward I am excited to stay around the game I love through coaching and to continue to rep the 'Catdome everywhere I go!

'Catdome!
-Zack Hickman

#72 Jesse Archambault, Offensive Tackle

The first people I would like to thank are my parents. They attended every home game and almost every away game over the course of my four years here at school. They supported me every step of the way, and made my career possible.

Second, I would like to thank my teammates. I couldn't have asked for a better group of men to show up to work with every day, whether it was the 6AM workouts, practices, or films, I enjoyed the time I spent with you. And to my fellow O-linemen: I hope to see you absolute dominate next year. Work hard this offseason and come back fighting.

Thanks to all of the coaches on our staff. There is no doubt that we have the best coaches in the nation, and I consider myself lucky to have learned from you. Thank you for all of the time that you put in watching film, and game planning.

And finally thank you to all of the fans. Linfield has the best fans in the Northwest Conference. Thank you to the Linfield faithful who show up and support us every weekend, no matter the weather.

-Jesse Archambault

#84 Jacob Priester, Tight End

I would like to begin by first simply saying thank you to the entire Linfield Wildcat program. This includes the coaches, the training staff, the equipment managers and everyone else who had anything to do with the program. The past four years in this family has been the best learning experience that I have ever had. Apart from gaining a more precise understanding of the game of football, I also learned a lot about being a man. The Linfield football team has taught me how to be a better man in every way.

Coach Joseph Smith frequently reminds us of the trials and tribulations of life after football in terms of having a family, paying bills and climbing the employment ladder. I think because of my time with the Linfield football team, I am prepared to face these challenges head on and succeed. Without having learned about the Wildcat culture, I think my future would be much more uncertain. But this team has given me the greatest educational experience that I could have ever asked for because it taught me how to lead a good life as a good man.

The four pillars that our team is built on are team, excellence, attitude and class, and these values have become a part of my life both on and off of the field. On the field, the program trained me to play football with integrity and great effort. Outside of football, the team has given me a great work ethic and accountability which separates all football players from other students. I am excited to face the challenges that the world has for me outside of college because of the tools that the Linfield football team has given me.

Finally, and most important to me, the team introduced me to my best friends. Some of which I know will be truly lifelong friends. This friendship is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life because I know that these friends are men of character.

-Jacob Priester

 #97 Josh Smith, Tight End

First and foremost, I would like to thank my wonderful parents Bruce and Sherri, and my sister McKenna. The past eight football seasons have been a wild ride, and I thank you guys for being there every step of the way. I would also like to thank you guys for always supporting me in my endeavors, and always being my number one fan. There is not one group of people I am more indebted to than you guys, as without you guys my four years at Linfield would not have been achieved. Thanks again for everything you have done for me, I love you guys.

I would next like to thank the coaching staff. I really do appreciate the hard work that each coach puts in to ensure that we as a team are prepared on a week-to-week basis. There really isn’t a staff better in the country in my opinion. I would also like to give a special shout out to Coach Smith and Coach Fendall for recruiting me and giving me the once-in-a lifetime opportunity to be a Linfield Wildcat, it’s an honor that means a lot to me, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to wear the purple and red.

I owe a large thank you to my teammates, thank you guys for making these past four seasons the incredible ride that they were. I battled through injury throughout my four years on campus, but knew that you guys always supported me. I met some of my best friends on this team, and that alone has made the journey worth it. Guys like Jacob Priester, Brynnan Hyland, Bobby Nix, Erik Knapp, Josh Repp, and Mike Maierhofer make it fun to be at practice every day, especially through fall camp and the daily mid-season grind. From players past and present, thanks for making Linfield Football the program that it is. Finally I want to congratulate all my fellow seniors on a successful career at Linfield, I wish nothing but the best to you all in the future.

Catdome forever,
Josh Smith

P.S. big thank you to Ryan Carlson and everything he does for the Linfield Football program. You're the best in the business WC11 can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve in the future.

2013 Linfield Senior Class says “Thank You” (Part 1 of 2)

There are so many great things I could say about the 2013 Linfield Seniors.  Hard working, fun, determined, passionate, resolve, daring, family, and a hundred more positive words I could use to describe this group of GREAT young men.  The success on the field speaks for itself as this senior class finished with a four year record of 41-5.  That record includes 4 Northwest Conference championships (24-0 NWC record), 6 playoff victories, and back-to-back trips to the NCAA Quarterfinals. 

This team only experienced one regular season loss and that was the opening game of their freshman year (2010).  Since that loss, this group experienced 35 consecutive regular season victories and a 24-1 home record over their time in the ‘Catdome. 

This Senior Class had players named the Northwest Conference Player of the Year three different times (Yoder - Offense 2013,  Forrest - Def 2012 & 2013) piled up 13 Northwest Conference 1st Team honors, 6 - 2nd Team honors, and 6 Honorable Mentions.  Six times, players from this class have been named to the All-West Region Team (Dom Forrest was twice named the West Region’s Defensive Player of the Year) and this class has collected 4 All-American honors.   Lastly, during their entire career at Linfield, their teams have never been out of the Division III top ten rankings in finishing #8, #6, #5, and #4 in the country and have defeated thirteen top 25 teams along the way.

This is a group of winning young men and took the lessons from the classes previous to them and applied those lessons to their craft.  They have been great students of the game and have been great mentors to the classes coming up behind them.  I can’t wait to see what these Wildcats do in their lives after Linfield.  I know it’s going to be filled with numerous success stories and people making huge impacts on the future communities they will call home.   But now is the time for them to say thank you to those that have helped them to this point of their lives. ‘Catdome!

(Since this 2013 Senior Class is so large we're running this in two parts.  Part II will run tomorrow.)

#5 Dominique Forrest, Linebacker

Where to even start.. .My first thank you goes out to my family. They have supported me unconditionally throughout my career here and made every year something special.

My next thank you goes to the coaches. We've spent countless hours working on schematics and techniques, but what I take away most is the life lessons they've taught me. How to pay attention to details, how to prepare, how to handle pressure, etc. I've grown up a lot in the last four years in the Catdome and these coaches have had a big role in that process.

My next thank you goes to the Catdome. Everyone I've met, older and younger, I consider as family. Guys like Bubba, Sammy and Axel come to mind for showing me the ropes in what this Catdome family is all about. I just hope our class was able to pass the torch, the right way, like they did for us. This Catdome family is something that is so special and something I'll hold close to my heart forever. If I could go back a million times, I wouldn't change it for anything.

My last thank you goes to the seniors. So many ups and a few downs, it's crazy how time flies. I'll miss the DooDoo brown Thursdays, dancing during beef period, locker room shenanigans, hearing "woooo woooo" from across the field, cowboy collars with the LBC, and most importantly putting on the same jersey every game day. Whatever our role was, together we accomplished a lot. We came here as players and are leaving as brothers. I don't believe these words do enough justice to how thankful I am for everyone and every experience I’ve had in this community the past four years, but I hope they suffice. Forever and Always, Roll 'Cats!

Dom Forrest #5

#9 Michael Link, Corner

Coming into Freshman year, I heard coach Smith and everyone say that Linfield football is a family and it is the best class you will take in college. Four years later I find myself telling recruits the exact same thing. These four years would not have been possible without the support from my family. Duane, Ann, Katie, Meghan and Karen I want to thank you guys for all the support that you have provided me over these last few years. It has meant the world to me and I could not so it without you guys.

Thank you to coach Heath for teaching me the game of football at Jesuit. You were one of my favorite coaches that I had. Thank you coach Rombach for helping me get to Linfield through the recruiting process and everything you have done for me here at Linfield. Coach Fendall, Thank you for teaching me that there is more to the game of football than x's and o's. You helped to elevate my game tremendously in the two years we were here at Linfield Together. Coach Haze, thanks for everything. We have had some deep conversations and I consider you a friend and a mentor. You have always been there for me when I needed you and told me what I needed to hear. A big thanks to Fish, Biege, Krieger, Testa, Jason and Larson for showing me the ropes. Shout out to the roommates! Thank you all of the Linfield staff and personal that makes this program what it is.  

Michael Link

#10 Kyle Wright, Safety

I want to thank everybody involved with Linfield Football for allowing me to have such a great experience while at Linfield. The support of the community, the alumni, the coaches and administration, and the players at Linfield is unmatched by any other program in college football. The coaching staff at Linfield has had a huge impact on my life and career, I want to thank all of them for their time and for molding me into the person I am today. I want to personally thank Coach Haze for all his hard work he does for this program and for all the crap he had to put up with me over 4 years. He is an incredible coach, and an even better person, Thank you Haze. Coach Fendall also gets a shout-out and a big thank you, he is an awesome coach and definitely had a positive influence on my life.

I want to thank my parents most of all for their undying support and encouragement of me in college and throughout my life. They flew to every away game and my mom is the loudest person in the stands no matter where I was playing. I am blessed to have parents like Tim and Dani and I can't thank them enough.

The life-long brothers I have made at Linfield are irreplaceable and priceless. They mean more to me than a Thank You can provide and the memories we have made together will last a lifetime. Whether on the field or off, there is never a dull moment and I know for a fact that this will never change.

Lastly, I want to thank Ryan Carlson for all his work he does for the program. Linfield Football wouldn't be Linfield Football without all the video, photo, and behind the scenes media work that this man does. Most don't realize how much time goes into creating a highlight film, let alone all the hours spent getting the film. Ryan, you are incredibly talented and I want to thank you again for all your work.

Roll Cats,

Kyle Wright #10
p.s. I better be getting invites to everyone's wedding!!!

#15 Josh Yoder, Quarterback

I'd like to start by thanking my family, especially my parents, for being the number one supporters in my life. Through everything I've done and all the decisions I've made, they've always supported and motivated me to do the best that I can. Through their hard work and sacrifices, I have been able to get to where I am today. They have raised me to be the best man that I can be, and I am truly thankful for all they have done for me.

I would also like to thank you coaches for all of the countless hours that you guys put in to prepare us and to put us into situations to be successful. I would especially like to thank Coach Boehme. I was able to watch and learn from you as a freshman, and was lucky enough to have you as my coach these last few years. You taught me so much about the game and also how to be a better player and teammate… and we were able to have lots of fun doing it. I also want to give a big thanks to Coach Smith for taking a chance on me. He was able to alter the offense to take advantage of my skill set, so I would like thank and applaud the coaching staff for that because I can’t imagine that was an easy task.

Finally, I want to thank all of the Wildcat players and supporters. I will remember these last four years forever, but this last year will always be extra special to me. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of guys to play with. They were a real joy to be around. This is truly a great program and I am proud to say I was to be a part of it. I am going to miss it greatly but I can’t wait to watch games at the Catdome for years to come.

-Josh Yoder

#17 Josh Repp, Kicker/Punter

I'd like to say thank to the entire Linfield football program for having me for 5 years. The 5 years I spent in McMinnville were the best years of my life and I can't imagine having gone anywhere else. I'd like to especially thank Coach Haze for pushing me to get better each year and putting up with me. Coach Smith for guiding me through the years, and Coach Thorson for getting me to come to college up here.

Tyler Steele and Michael Carillo my fellow PE majors, thanks for getting me through my classes, couldn't have done it without you guys! Caitlin Conlon, my wonderful fiancé, which I met at Linfield has been there to support me through the past few years, from waking up early on the days we had plane flights and making my lunch to coming to just about every single game no matter how far, she is truly a great woman. And lastly, to every person that I have come into contact the past 5 years at Linfield, thank you very much for everything you did for me!

#20 Louie Colasurdo, Linebacker

More than anything I would like to thank my parents, my three older brothers (and their families) and Rebe for the amount of support they gave me through everything. I truly don’t think I would be where I am today without the support of my family. Part of my decision in deciding where to go to college, was if my family would be able to come watch me play. After four years I have realized many other things that made Linfield the top choice, yet it was always important to me to have members of my family in the Catdome watching. The work-ethic, perseverance and determination I pride myself in today is something I gained from my parents and brothers and without that I can surely say I would not be where I am now.

I would also like to thank the people who feel like family to me now – my coaches. I especially want to thank Coach Smith, Coach Rombach and Coach Vaughan. During the first three years I really only noticed the improvements in how good of a football player I became. I only noticed how much I could bench, squat, how well I could tackle and drop into coverage. Yet during my senior year and especially now, I have noticed how much of a better person I am because of my coaches. I have never heard of another group of coaches that instill such character and work ethic on their team. The amount of time and effort that Coach Vaughan and Rombach put into each game, each week, each practice and each player shows their dedication to this program and is something that has rubbed off on each player. I owe it to Coach Rombach for always giving me an opportunity to go make a play and for always expecting more out of me. Without him, I may have settled and not became the player and man I am now. He took care of every one of his linebackers on and off the field and always made us feel like one of his boys. I know these values I learned while playing football will help me be successful off the field, and I have my coaches to thank for that.

Lastly, I would like to thank all my teammates, friends and professors. There is truly nothing like the time spent in the locker room, ice bathes, during practice, workouts and watching film with your teammates. I am glad I was able to meet every one of you and enjoy these last four years. I never thought the guys I met during the Les Schwab all-star game would be the ones I would be hanging out with during my first ever game in California and preparing for every game after that with.  I also want to thank all the LBC for being some of my closest friends and all the good times we had at practice, traveling and watching film with Coach Rombach.  When I was choosing a college four years ago I would never have expected to gain all these great memories and relationships.

To this day I am still not sure what the “Catdome” is but I know what it means to me, I love saying it and will never stop saying it.

Roll Cats,
Louie Colasurdo #20

#21 Logan Krellwitz, Safety

First off I would like to thank my parents. Words cannot describe how much they mean to me and how much they have done for me. They have been my number one supporters growing up both on and off the field. I cannot remember a single game or event growing up in which they weren’t in attendance or watching. No matter the decisions I have made in my life they are always 100% behind me helping me through it all. They have sacrificed so much just to provide me with the opportunities to succeed and be happy whether it be my dad coaching me through youth, my mom taking pictures at all my games, my parents always being there to give me rides to and from practice, or them helping me through injury and sickness. I know I would not be the man I am today without them and there is no way I can thank them enough.

Next I would like to thank my friends and the rest of my family for the love and support they have given throughout my athletic career. Often times coming to games and showing support even when I wasn’t getting on the field a lot. It means a lot to me how much my friends and family care about my success and support me through both highs and lows.

I thank my fellow teammates and friends here at Linfield for everything they have done from the seniors my freshman year to the freshman my senior year. To my fellow seniors there isn’t a better group of guys I would have rather of spent the last 4 season with.

The coaching staff here at Linfield also deserves a big thanks. I had the opportunity to play three different positions throughout my 4 years at Linfield. Because of this I got to know several coaches as my football mentors and I learned a lot from all of them. I thank the coaches here for all the time and effort they put in to making me not only a better football player but a better person off the field as well.

Lastly I realize there are many people I have missed that have had a positive impact on not only my journey to Linfield but my 4 year journey at the Catdome. To everyone that falls under this category, I thank you for the support and the positive impact you have had on my life It is bittersweet knowing that my football career is over but realizing that I have a whole life full of new things ahead of me. With my experiences gained at Linfield on and off the field, I feel I am more prepared than I ever would have been for my new journey in life, whatever that may be. I am definitely going to miss the Catdome and forever keep with me the memories that I have gained here.

–Logan

#24 Tyler Robitaille, Linebacker

‘Cats,

I'll keep this short but I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of those who have made my career at Linfield a memorable one. First are my parents, you guys pushed me to pursue my dream of playing college football and funded all of my needs. Second, my coaches, you guys all had an effect on my four years, no matter what side of the ball you were on. You guys made me love the game, appreciate the grind, and create lifelong memories. Lastly, my teammates, you guys will always have a special place in my hearts. Going through the ups and downs of the seasons for the past four years have been an amazing experiences and wouldn't have been nearly as fun with all you guys. I can’t leave without giving the LBC a shoutout, you are my brothers for life. Thanks for all the great memories.
Catdome,

Tyler "Robi, Rob" Robitaille #24

#26 Jordy Romick, Running Back

First off I want to thank the Linfield program for giving me the opportunity to play four years of college football. It’s not something that everyone can say they did, and for that I am thankful. Coach Vaughan, thanks for all the opportunities you gave me, on and off the football field. You always had my back and wanted to see me succeed, and I really appreciate that.

Next, and most importantly, I want to thank my family for all the love and support they’ve given me throughout my athletic career. Making the four-hour trip up north isn’t easy on the pocket, but I always appreciated having you guys there. Big thanks to my beautiful girlfriend, Jaydee Baxter, for keeping my head on straight and being my #1 fan (along with my parents).

To all my teammates, you guys are the real reason I enjoyed my time here! You made the tough times fun and the transition to college easy. Couldn’t have asked for a better class to go through college with, and the relationships I’ve built with you guys will last a long time. Mikkel, we’ve been through a lot together, and I can’t thank you enough for everything you did for me. To all my senior buddies hanging around for a 5th year (Dave, Trev, Char, and Madden), have some fun and enjoy being those creepy old guys on campus!

Thanks for the memories guys, and God bless!

Jordy Romick

#27 Ian Zarosinski, Corner

I want to say thanks to my teammates for an unforgettable four years. It took a lot of hard work to get where we went and I'm grateful that we had the guys who were willing to work and sacrifice for the cause. Thank you to the coaches first for giving me a shot when I didn't exactly make the best of first impressions.  Thank you for all the time they put in to film, practice, and game planning that gave us the edge in tight games. Thanks Coach Haze for keeping football fun and encouraging us to compete within our position group. Finally, thank you to my family for always being there giving their unconditional love and support.




(Come back for part II tomorrow)