The 2016 Rams Reflect is the first in a series of annual collections. Senior captains and representatives of Suffolk teams have been invited to contribute viewpoints based on personal experience from both their senior seasons and full varsity careers at Suffolk.
For a complete listing of the 2016 Rams’ Reflections, click here.
Rob Marks, Baseball | Hometown: Revere, Mass. | Sociology
We are all shaped by the experiences in our lives. The memories, both good and bad, will alter the values that we carry with ourselves throughout adulthood. These defining moments do not come around too often, so cherish these life altering experiences when they are around. I will forever cherish the time I spent as a member of the Suffolk University baseball team.
When I was applying to schools, I did not know if I wanted to play baseball or not. Although I was prepared to say farewell to the game of baseball, I ultimately decided to give college baseball a shot. Playing this great game at the college level turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. Being a member of Suffolk University’s baseball team has instilled in me the proper work ethic, time management, mental toughness, and focus needed to be successful in all of my future endeavors. For that reason, I can truly say that being a Mutt was the utmost defining moment in my life thus far.
As my career comes to an end, I have taken some time to reflect upon my years as a Suffolk Ram. What I've come to realize is that I will not miss the game of baseball nearly as much as I will miss the teammate camaraderie. I will not look back on my career and miss the at bats, catching fly balls, or even winning. Instead, I will look back and miss the bus rides, cramming into the Ridgeway lounge, and constantly being around my teammates. I have made life-long friendships with each and every teammate I have taken the field with during my time as a Ram. That is a far greater award than any GNAC championship.
To my teammates, my brothers, I would like to say thank you. It is hard to imagine that in a month or so I will never again open the doors of the Ridgeway Building and walk up a flight of stairs to be greeted by my teammates. It has not yet hit me that at some point within the next month our two I will take the field with all of you for the last time. My teammates, past and present, are the reason I consider my time as a student-athlete at Suffolk to be the best four years of my life. We have been through so much together, both the good times and the bad times. Together we have celebrated a GNAC championship, fallen inches short, and were forced to participate in 7 a.m. sprints. If I could, I would do it all over again. I can only hope that you have appreciated me as much as I have appreciated all of you.
Our goal at the beginning of this year was to compete for a National Championship. I will express my gratitude for my teammates, but I will not yet say my goodbye. I will save my goodbye for after we have accomplished our goal.