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Illinois Athletics - Illini on Social Media - March 23, 2020

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#Illini on Social Media | March 12-21

Keep up with Fighting Illini student-athletes, coaches and staff on social media

General

#Illini on Social Media | March 12-21

Keep up with Fighting Illini student-athletes, coaches and staff on social media

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As reality sets in that I have had some of my final moments at Illinois, I find myself reflecting on all the things this place taught me along the way. • • Dreams do come true, even when they don't end up like you always planned • • Allow other people into your family. Best friends who accept you for you are special humans • • Doing things for others is a lot more rewarding than doing things for yourself • • A single tread of commonalty (Illini Pride) is able to bond all different types of people together for a lifetime • • Laugh and love freely without fear of what others think • • Don't take life too seriously and never pass up a moment with Alma • • Put yourself outside your comfort zone and amazing things will happen. Fear won't win. • • Lastly, cherish the moments we have with each other. Hug, Say I love you, or dance/sing spontaneously. Don't ever take a moment for granted • • Thanks for the lessons, Illinois

A post shared by Caroline W (@carowelsh21) on

Sometimes.... Things just don't add up. It is through times like these that don't define you, but can most definitely shape you. With that being said, my time as an athlete at the University of Illinois has come to end. There is nothing that I loved more than reppin' that shield across my chest with my brothers each and every time we stepped on the court. We grinded, we won, we lost, we did it all. TOGETHER. There is not another group that I would of rather done it with than the one that I was blessed with. There are too many people to thank, but to my coaches, teammates, family, and friends for always being there. I will forever be grateful. You have instilled belief in me that now can't go astray. I have grown more than I could of ever thought over the last four years, and without Illinois and all of the amazing people that I have met because of it, who knows where I would be. I always wanted to be known not only as a tennis player, but one who was able to make positive impacts on those around me. That is something that I hope I can pass down to the future of the program, as they move onto bigger and better things. At the end of the day I can find peace knowing that I gave it everything each and every day. Heart over everything was always the motto, and that will never change. I now shift my focus to starting my professional tennis career, and look forward to starting this new chapter in my life. It is tough not being able to finish this unbelievable journey on my own terms, but there is one thing I know for sure out of it all. I will forever bleed orange and blue, and that is something that can't be taken away from me. I make the promise to always put the "Fight" in Fighting Illini, and that is a promise that will never be broken. Thank you, Illinois! 6 out. #illiniforever

A post shared by Zeke Clark (@zekeclark) on

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