The Final Section: How UConn changed my life even more than it did before college

Over three decades after my parents met and graduated here, I will be graduating from the University of Connecticut.

I arrived at my dream school unsure of which sports career path to pursue — broadcasting, reporting, filming, or writing. Trying each, I discovered writing was the best fit.

I went through tons of growing pains as I transitioned from high school to college. I was not ready to go to college from an academic standpoint to the point where I questioned why UConn even accepted me. I struggled for the first two years but kept pushing through all the obstacles and now feel confident in every single class I take.

What got me through those tough times during my first two years was basketball. If my last name rings a bell, you know just how much UConn men’s basketball has been part of my life. Being at numerous Final Fours, being around so many different eras of the program— that is something that I always cherished. However, even with that last name, I sought to make my own name here, and I feel like I completed that goal.

I am not one to start naming names when thanking people, especially when I have limited space, but there are a bunch of people worth thanking.

Thank you to all the media who interviewed or interacted with me, especially during the Final Four run this past year. I appreciate all of you and hope we can stay connected. To everyone around UConn men’s basketball — players, coaches, support staff, beat writers, creative content — thank you for all the advice and memories.

To the editors I had throughout my time here—Jon Synott, Stratton Stave, Evan Rodriguez, Connor Sargeant, Bridget Bronsdon and Avery Becker—thank you for all the advice and pushing me to be my absolute best. Every single one of you I consider as some of my closest friends, and I appreciate you more than you know. To Connor, Bridget and Avery, thank you for trusting me with these beats. I hope I never let you down, not even once.

Matt Dimech, your growth from the time I met you to being with you at the Final Four in Indianapolis is incredible. Thank you for being on the beat with me this past year; you have become one of my closest friends. I am sure you will be great in my position next year when you have a new partner on this beat.

To Jake McCreven, where do I even start? You have become one of my best friends over the two years I have known you. You are going to do so well as the Associate Sports Editor. Thank you for being the brother I never had.

To everyone else at The Daily Campus, from the executives to the copy editors to the digital editors (shoutout Ky’Lynn Monts and Sarah Vial) to the photographers (shoutout Connor Sharp and Emma Meidinger), thank you for all the work you put in. You made my job so much easier.

To my girlfriend, Chloe Kozlowski, thank you for your support through everything. You are truly the best and cannot wait to celebrate you getting your master’s degree. You are going to be an amazing teacher, especially knowing how patient you are with me.

To my family, including my parents, my sisters Emily and Katie, my grandparents, my cousins (including Peyton, who is graduating with me!) and my godparents, thank you for always pushing me to be my best no matter what it is and being my biggest supporters. I love you all and cannot wait to celebrate everyone as my graduation day is also Mother’s Day and my grandfather’s birthday.

And finally, to UConn Nation. Thank you for reading my articles and showing me countless support on X/Twitter. I have had people come up just to shake my hand and rave about my work. That shows that my hard work does pay off, and that feeling is so rewarding.

From Keller Hall in Towers to Middlesex Hall in the Jungle to Bethune Hall in Hilltop Apartments to living off campus my senior year, this journey has been amazing. The national championships, the revival of UConn football, the growing pains — this has felt like a movie. It has allowed me to travel from New York to Arizona, from Indianapolis to Kansas. UConn will forever be my home. I am always going to be a Husky and bleed blue.