Introduction Hey my name is Stephen Seitz and I wear #20 on Saturdays. my other number is 630441-8609.

You can talk to me after chapel if you are interested. At this time, Ill ask the ushers to walk forward and hand out my card to all of you... call me maybe. My story is not similar to many senior shares that you have heard before. As some of you may be aware, this is not my fourth or fifth year like it is more many of the seniors. I transferred here from College of DuPage, a two year community college 2 years ago. Both of my parents went to Wheaton and met each other at Wheaton so growing up, I heard all the stories of the exciting yet different life that they both lived. My idea of the college life did not consist of organizing parades for student government or running a store inside your dorm (no offense Dad). At this time of my life, I had made up my mind that I would put God on a backburner and live life without regrets but in a completely different sense than Wheaton emphasizes. I would smoke, drink, and do whatever I wanted to do and would return to the faith after college and get my life in order. At this time, my father arranged a campus visit to Wheaton College with an emphasis on meeting and talking with Coach Swider. The meeting with Coach Swider was eye-opening but not in the way many senior shares have already discussed. He went through his talk about the hours of the day. Im pretty sure that the majority of us today, parents included have heard this speech. My father and I sat down and heard his talk and he said Lets assume that you sleep 8 hours. Then the other 8 hours in the day is dedicated to football and classes. What are you doing the final 8 hours? He then continued to say at other institutions, you will be chasing girls, drinking alcohol, and partying the other 8 hours. He then turned to me and asked me are you a follower of Jesus Christ? No one had ever asked me that before and in my opinion, in no way was I a Christian at that point but I wasnt going to say no in front of him or my father. I had made the decision that I wanted to do all that stuff that Coach Swider said would happen at other institutions. I was already drinking every weekend, smoking every day, and chasing girls whenever I could at COD, what was another 3 years following that path? I left that meeting with that mentality and lived it out until the Lord called out to me and he changed my life. I gave up smoking, drinking and partying and knew that I needed to go to an environment that would stimulate my faith, not destroy it once again. I remember the one night where I called Coach Swider to see if it were still possible to go to Wheaton College. In a nice way, he basically put down all the other schools I was considering and at that moment, what he sounded, seemed logical and the right fit for me. Three days before the semester started on Thursday, I received a call saying that I was accepted to Wheaton College. Wheaton College and the football has definitely changed me but in a sense, I am still that crazy boy that dances somewhat inappropriately and is loud and obnoxious. What I learned most about the Wheaton football team is the dedication to not only the program but to each other. Last September I made the decision to be baptized at my church in Naperville and sent out a simple text hoping that some football players could share in the experience. At this point, I

wasnt a starter and no one had to come. When I came out to go in the pool, there were 40 or more football players that had came to cheer for me as I got baptized. They didnt need to but chose to. Ill never forget looking out in the crowd and seeing Peter Jarrets thick red beard and Charlies thick beard amongst many football players that had come to support me. At that moment, I knew this program was different. It didnt soley care about winning football games or their personal stats but really cared about the spiritual growth of each football member no matter how small a role they played. They loved me like I had never been loved or supported by my teammates like I have experienced here. Not at COD. Freshman: I use this as an example because I think it is prevalent to preach from your scars. My teammates at College of DuPage didnt care about my spiritual life my last year there. You wont find anywhere else in the country where you are accepted for who you are, no matter how wild, and they will love you unconditionally. Take it from me as a transfer student who has seen what other schools and programs are like. This is the only place where your teammates will care about who you are becoming rather than what you can do for them. Dont just go through the motions and think that you will grow as a Christian because you are in this environment but take every opportunity you have as a blessing from God. Thank yous. Coach Swider: Thank you for pulling strings to get me accepted three days before spring semester started. Thank you for giving a kid like me a shot in your program. Coach Sears: I thought it would be weird being coached by someone old enough to be my brother but it isnt. I have a tremendous amount of respect for you and how you have came into a new environment and made the offense your own. I think that if I were 7 years older or you were 7 years younger I would be extremely blessed to have you as a friend. I believe your future here and wherever you go is bright and continue to show your passion for the Lord. Lastly, I think you should name your boy the most fitting name for him, Seven. Coach Vboss: Amongst many things like constantly calling out my knack for digging myself in holes, I mostly want to thank you for our weekly readings and discussions. I cant tell you how much I have grown through those readings. Please dont stop pouring into the lives of those players in the bubble because for me, it is continuously the best start to my weekend. During those discussions, we forget about football for the time being and you show us that we are primarily just men of God being vulnerable with each other. I hope that this part of the program never changes. Reece: Thank you for keeping me accountable in everything that I do this past year and a half. You are one of the few people besides my small group that has seen me cry, might be more after today, but I truly appreciate how I can be vulnerable with you and how you have challenged me every week. I love you and I will promise that when we get meals together 20 years down the

road, I will more or less be the same guy, might have different business cards though. Small Group: I love every chance I get to meet with you all and will truly miss the opportunity to grow closer to the Lord through our time together. I have never had a core group of friends that I could be vulnerable with until I was placed in this small group 2 years ago. Love you all. Housemates: Thank you for letting me be the mother of the house and letting me yell at you all to clean up after yourselves. I love the Watering Hole and wouldnt change my living situation for anything else. I wish you all a great next year as I will truly miss living with you all. Christian: You are the common denominator in my small group and housemates but Id like to think even if you werent, we would somehow still become best friends. It doesnt matter what we are doing, Dutes, Sups, Meats, or studying together, you always make me laugh. You remind me of one of my best friends Kam in high school, except with you, I dont need to swear, or smoke, or drink, to have fun with you but instead can just be around you and enjoy every moment. God has great things planned for your future and I cant wait to attend your church someday. Im just a little worried to what you will be wearing. Crystal: Thank you for being my biggest competitor in everything that we did, grades, ACT scores, sports accolades, and so much more. I told her that I would embarrass her so if any of you are interested in asking her out, she is wearing . . . I approve of all of you except Drach. Tiffany: Thank you for being one of the only siblings that never really wavered in your faith. I could always count on you to ask me what I was thinking when I did stupid things even when I didnt want to hear it. We used to always make the joke that you were the Fed-Ex of the family but maybe it was because you were the only one who accepted the role God gave you. William: I think back to 8th grade when I wanted to quit football and you pushed me to stay in it. You told me it would get better. I dont think that I would be here today if it werent for you pushing me to continue and I am forever grateful for that. I love you. Mom & Dad: 33 years ago to this day, two people stood in front of people, similar to the situation today and professed their love for everyone to hear. I cant think of a better anniversary gift than to return the favor and tell all these people here today how much I love my parents. There is no doubt in my mind that when I was living a life away from God, that they were praying that God would make himself known to me. They were there when I came running home 2 years ago and both of them had outstretched arms waiting to embrace me. If any of you parents out there, have a kid who seems like they are lost, continuously pray for them as my parents did and God will return them back home to you.