A couple of days ago, I moved into my new apartment at Saint Leo for the final time. For this semester, I will be living in Apartment 3, which was built in 2005. Apartments 3 and 4 are the newest housing units on campus. Last year, I lived in Apartment 2, which was built in 2003, and I had three roommates. This year, I only have one roommate, but I have a full kitchen, a living room, and my roommate and I share a bathroom. As I mentioned in my previous blog, soon I will be starting my second and final year. It is still difficult for me to think that I am about to start my last semester of classes. My time at Saint Leo has flown by. Thus far, it really has been a great experience for me.

My trip to Chicago was fantastic. My girlfriend and I had a great time. Unfortunately, the Goo Goo Dolls concert that we had tickets for was cancelled due to severe weather. Before it was cancelled, we waited under a pavilion directly in front of Lake Michigan thinking the storms would subside. After waiting for about forty five minutes and seeing lightning strike so close to us that we saw sparks shoot out from the lake, it was called. We were disappointed, but it did not hamper our trip.

Sweet Home, Chicago!

When my girl friend and I arrived in Orlando from Chicago, we made the drive to school. My car was absolutely packed to the brim! The hour and a half drive from Orlando was tight, to say the least. Once I arrived at school, I began to unpack. I met my roommate, who is from North Carolina. He is a junior, and he is majoring in Business Management.

This is How You Should Not Pack a Car!

This semester, I am taking 18 credits! Five of my classes are based on sport. The sixth one is a preparation class for my internship. I am taking Sport Law, Professional Development Seminar, Sport Governance, Sport Marketing, Sport Finance and Sales, and Sociology of Sport. I will be going to school Monday through Friday. On Friday’s, I only have one class and it is at 1:30 so that makes it a little easier. Along with school, I am working for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I will be working the University of South Florida football games, Bucs games, and any events that will occur at Raymond James Stadium. I am really looking forward to working for the Bucs!

I cannot believe it is my senior year already. I am already looking beyond this year thinking, I do not want to graduate yet! I do not want college to end! I think my internship over the summer made me realize what life could be like after I complete my classes in December. I am glad I had that experience early enough so I can enjoy the time I have left at Saint Leo, and also plan for what I may be doing in the very near future.

Yesterday, I came back from Chicago after spending Thanksgiving break at home with my family. As always, it is great to be home! I had wonderful home cooked meals, I was able to sleep in my own bed, drive my own car, and I was able to see a few friends. I spent most of my break chiseling away on my school work I have due this week. I developed a Power Point presentation for my Professional Development Seminar class on Competitive Balance in Major League Baseball, wrote a paper on The Rookie for my Sociology of Sport class, and wrote an 11 page paper on Pat-Downs in the National Football League. I was busy!

The day before I flew out of Tampa, I worked the University of South Florida football game. The game started at 8 p.m. and did not end until about 11:30. The staff, including myself, left Raymond James Stadium at about 12:30 a.m. I was scheduled to depart later that morning at 8 a.m. Since the airport is so close to the stadium, I decided to spend the night at the airport. I was hoping to find a nice comfy seat in an area with dim lights to take a nap, but unfortunately, I never found my spot. Let me tell you, it was a long night! Thankfully, the Tampa airport has free wireless internet or I would have gone crazy! I finally fell asleep around 5:30 a.m. I probably slept for an hour. By the time I woke up, I could not wait to get on the plane and get home! That is an experience I will never forget!

I live in the southwest suburbs of Chicago in a town called, Bolingbrook. Recently, my town completed construction on a beautiful outdoor mall. I know, an outdoor mall in a climate like Chicago?! Believe me, I would not have dreamed of it either! The night I got into town, the mall debuted a lights festival that was developed by Carson Williams. Williams was the gentlemen that developed the synchronization with Christmas lights and a song by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. If you do not remember what I am describing, here is a link of one of his projects:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRvzcs3gQYk

The festival was very neat to see. Since it was opening night, the place was PACKED! The mall utilized a huge tree decorated with lights and different Christmas props to correspond with “Wizards in Winter� by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. For Thanksgiving, my grandparents came up from St. Louis. It was great to see them. I am definitely looking forward to going home in a few weeks for Christmas break.

Christmas Decorations from Home

Since my last blog, a lot has been going on campus. The new student center is finally open! The lounge area of the student center will be a great place for students to meet during their free time. The cafeteria is very nice. There are two HD TV’s, and even booths to sit! As of right now, there is a pasta bar, salad bar, grill area, pizza, and sandwich area to name a few.

The student center opened during Fall Family Festival, which is a weekend where families and friends of students come to visit. This year, the school hired a hypnotist. I could not believe how much influence the hypnotist had on his volunteers. It was very funny. The school also had a talent show where students sang, acted, and rapped. The following day, the school held their Fall Family Festival. Fraternities, sororities, and other student associations/groups were in attendance. There was also a climbing wall, belly dancers, a camel, and a joust area where people could battle each other on an inflatable.

Belly Dancer Performing at Fall Family Festival

The next day, San Antonio, a neighboring city, held their “Rattlesnake Festival" which offered entertainment, crafts, a reptile and snake show, food, and gopher races.

Sleeping Tiger from Rattlesnake Festival

I am still searching for an internship for the spring semester! I have applied to a number of different organizations. I am proud to say, I did have an in-person interview with three departments of a Major League Baseball team. Everyone I spoke to was very nice and personable. Even if I do not get any of the positions, I still feel as if I learned a great deal from the process. All I can do right now is keep on plugging!

In the next few weeks, I have four presentations and six papers to complete. Finals will be here in no time!

Yesterday, I completed my last final at Saint Leo. As I look back on this semester, I can not believe how quickly it has gone! It seems as if my last two weeks have been a total blur. I had four presentations and six papers due. Needless to say, I finished everything on time and to the best of my abilities. Saint Leo uses a computer program named, “E-Lion� which contains information regarding one’s tuition, financial aid, registration, transcripts, and grades. As of right now, all of my grades from this semester have already been uploaded into the system. I am very satisfied with what I earned which is always good.

You may be thinking since I just took my last final, I am graduating in the next few days, right? Well, I will be graduating soon, but not yet. As I mentioned in one of my previous blogs, before Sport Business majors can graduate, everyone is required to complete an internship in the sport industry. The internship must run at least 12 weeks, and the intern must work 40 hours a week. Within the past two weeks, I have received three offers to intern for three separate Minor League Baseball teams. The teams were located in Southern California, Tennessee, and Florida. I have decided accept a Media Relations internship with a local minor league team. The internship includes a monthly stipend, food, and housing. Normally, it is very difficult to find an internship that offers all three. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity that has been given to me. I will begin interning on January 7th and work up until the end of the Florida State League season. One of the many things I am looking forward to is spring training. Baseball, thankfully, is right around the corner!

A few weeks ago, the school sponsored a winter formal at an off-campus location. I attended the formal with my girlfriend and a couple of our friends. The tickets were very reasonable and the price also included food. She and I had a really good time.

Saint Leo University's 2007 Winter Formal

One week ago, my peers from my Professional Development Seminar class and I attended the annual business etiquette dinner. This experience gave us the opportunity to intellectually interact with faculty outside of school. It also allowed us to improve our table manners and social skills to better prepare ourselves for possible future business meals. Before we attended the dinner, we were given a guide as to how to properly dress, introduce ourselves, use the silverware, and eat. I would have never dreamed that after using a knife, it is proper to place the knife on the plate so the blade faces you. Overall, it was a good experience. I definitely learned more than I had known prior to the dinner.

In two days, I will be traveling to Chicago for winter break. I am looking forward to going home for two weeks. It is a family tradition for my family and me to travel to St. Louis for the holiday. I was born in St. Louis so it is always nice to go back to my first home. While I am in Chicago, I am hoping to catch a Chicago Bulls game, and then while we are in St. Louis, tour the new Busch Stadium and eat at Albert Pujols’ new restaurant.

Since I will no longer be living on campus next semester, my blogs will begin to describe my internship experience. You will be able to read first hand the differences in what it is like to work everyday, as opposed to going to class and participating in some of the activities the school offers. I am anxious for my internship to begin; however, my year and a half at Saint Leo has truly flown by. Part of me does not want to leave yet. College life has been good to me, and I have made the best of my opportunities here. But I know part of life is about growing up. This past summer, I was glad I was not entering the real world just yet. Now I feel as if I am ready. Have a great holiday and a fantastic new year! I will see you next year!

This past Saturday, I graduated from Saint Leo! I felt fortunate to have my family, aunt, and girlfriend at the ceremony. I would not be the person I am today without my family and friends. I am very thankful for each of them. In the morning of the ceremony, I could not believe that all of my hard work had come down to one final day that I will remember for the rest of my life. I knew my hard work was going to eventually pay off. I received the first benefit of my hard work when I walked across the stage and received my diploma.

The guest speaker of our ceremony was Joe Garagiola. He played nine years as a catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, and New York Giants. After he retired, he was broadcaster for 27 years. He spoke about how we have received the best tools to succeed at Saint Leo, and even though the economy is not strong now we should not let it deter us from earning a full time job.

After Garagiola spoke, Dr. Kirk, President of Saint Leo, awarded several honorary degrees to Garagiola and others. Then, it was our turn to walk across the stage! As I was preparing to receive my diploma, I could not believe the day had come. I would no longer be considered a student. I would not have any more school work or tests. LastIy, I would soon be an alumnus. Once my name was called, I had a big smile on my face as I walked over to Dr. Kirk to shake his hand. Immediately after, I looked at my family and my girlfriend and I smiled from ear to ear. I had finally received my diploma! Soon after, we moved our tassels from right to left, which signified our accomplishment as graduates.

My Dad, Mom, and I after graduation

I was very relieved once the ceremony ended. Now, I can focus completely on my work and getting our new website up and running.

I would like to thank everyone at Saint Leo who has assisted me in the development of not only my education, but also in my personal development as in individual. I am grateful for everyone who has helped me. I am also thankful for having the opportunity to attend Saint Leo. If I was a sophomore looking to transfer once again, I would definitely choose Saint Leo.

Thank you again, best of luck to you, and so long for now.