Dear Mississippi State Woman's Basketball team,
Thank you. Thank you from the little nine-year-old girl that can still name every player on the 2006-2007 team. Thank you from the eighth grader that rarely missed a game, even when the hump barely contained twenty-five people. Thank you from a supporter who has believed in you long before you believed in yourself and way before the nation erupted at the buzzer when you broke UCONN's streak. I always knew you could, and that one day you would. I grew up watching you and as I enter my senior year of college I couldn't be any more proud than I am right now.
I may not be in Dallas tonight, but know that I watched each second on the edge of my seat knowing that no matter the outcome YOU have changed the face of women's basketball forever. So hold your head high tonight.
To the seniors, a simple thank-you doesn't seem sufficient enough, mainly because it is not. We will each miss you as you have forever left your imprint in our hearts. You believed in us, and let us believe in you. Each game you continuously put in more effort and left it all on the court. My heart broke for you tonight, but it won't stay broken long because I know that each of y'all are on your way to leaving an even bigger impact on this world whether it is on or off the court. We are still cheering you on. We always will be.
To the starters, thank you for a fun ride. Thank you for giving it your all even when you were physically and emotionally drained. Thank you for pushing yourself further than the day before, striving to outperform your opponent.
To the bench, we couldn't have done this without you. You're the backbone to this team, and we appreciate all the handwork that you have put in. We saw it. Without you none of this would have been possible. You may not have been the star of the show this weekend or have a clip playing on repeat on ESPN, but be rest assured that your hardwork and perseverance day in and day out is not for nothing. Thank you for pushing your teamates to be better. Thank you for supporting them in all that they have done, and thank you for what is to come. It's not over yet.
To Coach Schaefer, we appreciate you. We appreciate what you have done for this program, we appreciate the way you love and support your team, and we appreciate the way you appreciate us. Thank you for the Final Four.
However, know that it doesn't stop here. This wasn't the last one. I know you still have more in you and when you return bigger than ever before know that we will be there with you. The nation may have been amazed by what you accomplished this year, but we weren't. We knew what you could do, and we know what you can still do. See you next year...on top of the National Championship podium.
Sincerely,
A Forever Fan
