Mark Sullivan – Class of 2003

 

Coach Thornton,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your services as a coach and a friend.  You made myself, and all my teammates, better athletes but never required us to sacrifice our academic pursuits.  Moreover, you kept a watchful eye over the atheletes under your supervision and kept our deviant behavior to a minimum.  I don’t know this individual’s identity, but the “little bird” always kept you informed of everything we were up to.  Thanks for keeping us out of trouble and on the straight and narrow.  Also, thank you for the following: writing my recommendation and helping me get accepted to law school; writing my recommendation for admission to the bar; and consequently my admission to the Minnesota State Bar as an attorney just a few weeks ago.  It would not have been possible without the work you put into those recommendations.   

On a less sappy note, one of my best memories was the ‘encouragement’ you offered as I imploded in the MIAC conference 10K during my freshman year (I took 2nd to last).  You will have to confirm this…but I believe I heard you yell “it is not f*&!ng rocket science…just get in a race.”  A few heads in the crowd turned but I think they would all agree…that was just what I needed.  None of us ever wanted to be told we were doing well when we looked and were performing like crap.  I will speak for others when I say we appreciated your ’tell-it-like-it-is/was’ attitude.  When we recieved accolades from you we could be certain we did well and had a great performance. 

Thanks again Coach and I look forward to talking with you soon.