The 2020 Rams Reflect is the fifth 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 past and present Rams’ Reflections, click here.
George Grillakis | Hometown: Lowell, Mass. | Economics
It has been an absolute privilege to be a Ram, this experience has been one that I am never going to forget. I learned so much not only on the court, but also off the court. Being a part of Suffolk men’s basketball was the best decision I have ever made. Through this team, I was able to create relationships that are going to last a lifetime. Our freshman year we came in as teammates, but now we are walking out as brothers.
Our class has seen the men’s basketball program reach new heights. We have set new standards and rewritten what is means to be a part of this program. It wasn’t easy, as we went through some major ups and downs, but that is what bonded us as a group and made us into brothers.
I was a part of Coach Juron’s first recruiting class. He was trying to completely change the culture of this program. In order to do so, he needed us to fully buy-in. We went from winning seven games in a season, to beating multiple nationally ranked teams. My freshman year, I don’t think many people believed we would ever be able to accomplish that. It has been an absolute pleasure to be a part of the transformation of this program and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
To my Teammates: I can’t thank you guys enough for always having my back. Words can’t describe how much I am going to miss going through the ups & downs of a season with you guys. We truly are a family so don’t even forget that. Every time we laced up our shoes, we played with heart, passion, and dedication. This program became successful because every time we stepped out on that court, we trusted each other and played with respect. Don’t take the opportunity to put that Suffolk jersey on for granted, because one day you won’t be able to.
To my Coaches: I don’t even know where to start. You have always believed in me, no matter what the circumstances were. Every single day, you pushed me not only so I could become a better basketball player, but so I could become a better man. Your leadership was contagious and is something that I am going to take into the real world. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of men to follow, to help guide me through a very important part of my life. I can’t thank you enough for not only always being there for me on the court, but more importantly, off the court.
To the Athletic Department: I am going to miss walking around Ridge and talking to you guys. It became part of my daily routine. Every day I looked forward to socializing with whoever was in Ridge, it was really fun. I specifically want to thank the Athletic Trainers, without you guys, I probably wouldn’t have been able to play four years of basketball. I spent endless hours in the training room rehabbing and never once did you guys complain or were ever in a bad mood. You guys truly do love your job and the people you work with, which makes it that much easier for us athletes to take care of our bodies.
Suffolk University will always have a place in my heart. My time here was more than I could have ever imagined, as Boston became my home away from home. These four years were the best of my life, but I am looking to forward to a new chapter. I am thankful for the unconditional support through the ups and downs of my career.