We didn’t win. I know it isn’t how any of us wanted it to play out, but that’s what happened. But I want every single person on the team to realize that there is no reason for any of you to hang you heads or be ashamed of anything you did this season, including Thursday’s trial. You want to know why?

Because this year was the team’s best year.

That may not be a very popular opinion, but I mean it and believe it wholeheartedly. Even though I couldn’t be at nearly as many team functions as I should have been, what I saw this year from every attorney, witness, clerk, bailiff, and shadow timer was nothing short of spectacular. I found myself at more than one point this year in complete awe of some of the ideas and performances that I was privileged enough to be a part of. From auditions, to working on the theory of the case, to our scrimmages, to season, all the way to and through Semifinals, I’d venture to say that you didn’t have to prove yourselves deserving of the team. The team and everything it stands for was lucky enough to have you represent it the way you did this year.

It isn’t as though this year was without its missteps though. I would also probably say that this year we faced the biggest challenges that we’ve ever had to face. Even from afar, on more than one occasion I was legitimately worried for the outcome of the team for this year as well as next. But you guys managed to get past the obstacles and show up at every trial, no exceptions. You went head-to-head with some of the best teams in the state, in scored trials and non-scored trials, and showed them that we belong in that category too.

Coming from a coach and a washed-up AHS Mock Trial veteran who still remembers every second of his last trial, I know that this probably won’t mean as much to you as I wish it could. But I feel like it would be totally wrong for me to not do everything in my power to make sure that every single member of this team doesn’t sell themselves or their teammates short. Because there is no reason for ANY of you to think that what happened this season was anything other than how amazing it is. States may no longer be in this part of the team’s picture, but that’s not to say it didn’t deserve to be there.

For all of you seniors that feel like you missed a chance, or any of you juniors or underclassmen who think that the number of years you put into this team might not be enough, rejoice in the opportunities and accomplishments you’ve already realized. Because if you could step back just a little, just far enough to see our shaky beginnings and marvel at what this team is starting to become, you’d know that your contributions, whether it be of time, of effort, or of heart, are what every team and team member will look back and be proud of.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this year’s team, but more importantly, thank you for everything you did for the team. This alumnus and coach appreciates it.