Andy Fisher and Zak Devermann

Dear Fish,
I can't thank you enough for the friendship we've had the last three years. You've helped me through some of the most difficult days of my life and tried to motivate me to get back on my feet. You've been an excellent role model and leader for this team over the last three years day in and day out. You've stepped up in a big moment in our program's lifetime and delivered. Everyone who gets to meet you is incredibly lucky and I'm proud to call you one of my best friends. Thank you for all that you've done for me and I can't wait to see how successful you become. 
- Dev

Dear Zak,
We have grown close since deciding to room together as near strangers. You are one of the most committed people I have ever met. In your time here at Illinois, you have had to prove that you deserve to be here. You have spent more time working on your mechanics than any pitcher here, which I admire and respect. You have had some tough breaks along this journey, but have kept a great spirit and work ethic the entire time. I wish you the best in whatever endeavors you decide to take on next, and I know our paths will cross soon.
- Andy Fisher

Quinten Sefcik and Ryan Haff

Dear Ryan Scott Haff,
After the trouble we caused the first time we met at Lollapalooza circa 2014 I knew we would be boys. We never looked back, and it's been one hell of a five year journey since. Feels like just yesterday we were driving out to watch your sister compete at the State Finals for cross country. We would've caught more than the end of the race if you had any concept of time…all good though buddy. My favorite memory together though was sitting on the beach in the Dominican Republic bumping "Hold You Down" and hanging out with the locals. Sorry coach. Nothing was more exciting than throwing that song on as we rolled back into Champaign together. You've had my back like a brother for the past five years of my life, and I thank you for that. You're one of the most loyal, hard working people I know and I'm excited to see where life takes you after your graduation from the MBA program. In anything you do I know you'll be successful, and in anywhere you go I know we will be close. Cheers to our time together in Champaign coming to an end. Cheers to you being family. 
- Quinten Sefcik

Dear Quinten, 
I can remember looking at the Senior program 5 years ago thinking I will be writing this about you if we are both still here. Reflecting on what our friendship and you mean to me would take far more than a paragraph. I have always found comfort going through life, school, and baseball these past 5 years knowing you had my back. Some people go their entire lives without finding someone like that, and I couldn't be more appreciative of meeting you when I did. I have also had a significant more amount of laughs as a result of being around you. I hadn't ever met someone who got as personal as you when chirping someone else, but it certainly provides for some good fun; unfortunately, sometimes at my own expense. Shifting to baseball, I hope a scout is reading this paragraph somewhere in the stands, because you have been my most uncomfortable at bat for the past 4 years, and that includes the first round picks that have went through here. I think I have 2 total hits off of you, and I really hope you get a shot to dominate at the next level. If I were a team, I would want someone who battles on the mound just like you do, and does whatever it takes to help his team. More importantly, regardless of what the next few months holds, I know you are going to be a major success in the future, no matter what you do, and I feel fortunate to be on the ride right alongside you.
- Ryan Haff

Jack Yalowitz and Quinn Snarskis

Dear Quinn aka Piece,
There are a lot of things I cannot put in this letter so I am going to keep those memories only for conversation. It has been a crazy journey with you. We have known each other for quite some time now and when you were transferring to Illinois I could not have been more excited and happy for you. I remember sitting in Kenosha in our Kingfish clubhouse when you committed and we could not stop talking about it the rest of the summer. We drove back to school together in August of 2017 and we could not wait to get started. You work incredibly hard in everything you do and you are an unbelievably genuine person. You became an incredible addition to this program in the clubhouse and on the field. Whenever someone asks me about you as a pitcher, I would always say "he is the ultimate competitor. There isn't anyone on the field that wants to win more than him. I would run through a wall for him." I live by those words on and off the field. I would do anything for you kid because I love you and I know you would do the same for me. Now as our time in college comes to end, a new chapter begins. It's time for us to get along on down the road, we've got a long, long way to go brother.
- Jack

Dear Jack,
Well buddy 2 years has come and gone. I just want to thank you for everything. First of all, thank you for even getting me to Illinois. It seems like yesterday when we were sitting in the outfield in Kenosha talking about Drew looking for another pitcher. To this day it means the absolute world for me that you not only told Drew about me, but you gave him your word that he would not be wasting his time getting me. To be honest, without that, I would not even be here today at U of I. These past two years have been some of the best years of my life, and I have you to thank for that. I also want to thank you for being one of my best friends. Coming in here after my school shut down was one of the hardest things I have had to do in life. From the very start you have been nothing but great to me and have made me feel welcomed at all times. You are a great leader, Jack, and an even better person. The way you go about your business is truly professional and you care for every guy on this team, which is something to admire. Lastly, I want to thank you for being a great teammate. The way you play and practice is truly inspiring. You are one of the hardest workers I know, and not only that, you push everyone around you to get better. You play this game with so much passion, and you show your teammates you truly do care for them, and I cannot tell you how much that means to us. Crazy I am writing this letter to you sitting here today about to graduate from U of I. I have you to thank for that and could not be more blessed and proud to call you a best friend. You define what it means to be a great friend, a great teammate, and an even better person. I will always be inspired by you and the way you play the game of baseball. Love you buddy.  
- Quinn Snarskis

Casey Dodge and David Craan

Dear David,
Man, have we been through a lot together. I simply cannot thank you enough for always being there for me—through all of the ups and downs. You have pushed me to be the best person I can be, and you have made this college experience more than I could have ever expected. I will forever be indebted to you, and I know that we will be friends for life. Looking back at it from the very start, as a walk-on who seemed to come out of nowhere, I wasn't sure how I would fit in with this team. But here we are today, playing in our last home game together as teammates, as roommates, as best friends, and most importantly, as brothers. I am so proud to have you in my life and to call you my brother. Let's go out there and take this game one more time together. 
- Casey Dodge

Dear Casey,
Four years went by so fast. Looking forward from freshman year it seemed like graduating was an eternity away, but now looking back it seems like just yesterday we were freshmen living in the six pack and eating at the Ike. Just want to say thanks for always being there. You're one of the best friends, roommates, and teammates I could've asked for. You're one of the hardest workers I know and you have the drive and discipline to be great at whatever you set your mind to. We have so many memories that we'll never forget and thanks for being by my side to make them. You may still be a hockey player and Michigan fan, but we'll always be Illini. 
Sincerely,
David Craan

Zac Taylor and Sean Leland

Dear Zac,
Starting fresh with a new team as a junior, knowing I would be on the bench for the entire first year, I was not sure how things would go. Luckily, I had two other guys going through the exact same situation, Zac and Fish. I have remained roommates with you through my entire time here at Illinois, though a lot of people ask me how I do it, it's been a fun 3 years. Finding a guy with so many common interests from sports to video games has made this time fly. He may be the ultimate "hate to play against but love to have on your team guy" and it's been fun watching first hand just how much you can get under people's skin.
- Sean Leland

Dear Sean,
Our three years here together have been the best years of my life. When we both transferred here, I couldn't have gotten more lucky with getting paired up to room with you. We have created some great memories together that I will always cherish. When I made my decision to come back for a 5th year, it was a lot easier knowing that you were also coming back and we would be able to live together again. You're one of the best guys I know and you have always been there for me. I know I can always count on you with anything and I hope you know the same goes for me. You have a really bright future ahead of you and I'm so excited to see where life takes us both after college. Im so lucky to be able to call you a best friend. 
Love you man,
Zac

Grant Van Scoy and Tyler Engel

Grant, 
You've had a short time on campus but your legacy will remain because of your impact on and off the field. You've brought out the best in everyone. It would be challenging to find another person who plays the game with as much passion and and heart as you do. There is no doubt that the path You choose in the future will be a successful one because failure is not in your vocabulary. I've been lucky to not only know You, but consider you a lifelong friend. I wish you nothing but the very best in the future!
- Tyler Engel

Dear Engel,
You are very mysterious. You're a side arm pitcher, know way too much about the stock market for your age, and are one of the top baseball card sellers in the Midwest. Never the less, I have enjoyed living with you and getting to know you over the last 2 years. We lived together in the house this year and we also roomed together on roads trips. I will always remember waking up in the middle of the night to turn the tv off because you insisted on leaving it on. One of my favorite memories with you was at Coastal Carolina this year waking up early, drinking a cup of coffee, and talking about the stock market. I admire how passionate you are about things you care about. There is no doubt in my mind you will be extremely successful. If I ever need a financial advisor you'll be the first person I call. I cherish our friendship and will consider you one of my great friends for the rest of my life.
- Grant

Jeff Korte and Michael Michalak

Dear Jeff,
Well bud, closing time is about to play which means it's almost time to go home. The last two years of living with you have been the best of my life, and that's an understatement. I'll always remember the good memories, laughs, and absolutely hilarious conversions we would have on a daily basis. You're positive energy is contagious and I will miss your "funny" jokes.  To my favorite Floridian, thanks for being always being great guy, roommate, catcher, and teammate even when I'd be hard to put up with. I'm not sure how I would've survived these two years without you, bud. 
Love ya brother. 
Sincerely, 
Mike Michalak

Dear, my fellow Juco bandit Michael Michalak,
I would like to thank you for being a great friend, roommate, and teammate here at U of I.  I couldn't be more thankful to be paired as roommates our first year. We have had some great times together, at the ball field, Red Grange, and at our apartment doing boolin activities. I'm excited to see what the future holds for the both of us. Sylvia and Greg raised a good one. Thanks again bud (Minnesota accent).
Sincerely, 
Jeff Korte