A lot has changed over the past four years. My career goals have changed. My friends have changed. My interests have shifted. But one constant that’s remained is WNUR Sports.

On the first day of Wildcat Welcome my freshman year, I sat next to current Sports Director on the bus ride to Millennium Park. We immediately hit it off after discovering our mutual interest in WNUR Sports. I told Michael then and there that WNUR Sports would define our college experiences. I was right.

Thanks to WNUR Sports, I’ve traveled to stadiums across the countries, made memories to last a lifelong, and, most importantly, gained lifelong friendships. My college experience hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve always known that come our Tuesday 9 o’clock meeting, I’ll have a smile on my face.

WNUR Sports has an amazing ability to bring people together. My sophomore year, I got to travel to Penn State with Cameron Songer and Eric Klaus. I barely knew either at the time. Yet by the flight home, I considered them friends.

And I can’t even begin to recount all the fun I’ve had playing Pick ‘Em on The SportsVoice. Despite my reputation as one of the greatest Pick ‘Em players of all time – one who’s made not just one commercial, but two in consecutive years – I care more about the memories I’ve made with friends than I do about winning.

Sportsathon is always my favorite time of the year. Sorry Thanksgiving and Christmas, but nothing tops 24-straight hours of doing what I love with people I love. Nothing tops seeing the way sports unite us, bringing joy into the lives of so many – even with a team that constantly causes distress and emotional roller coasters.

It’s about the experience. It’s about the journey. It’s about the family. It’s WNUR Sports.