With senior night in a couple nights, and obviously Tyler's last home game as a Huskie, I wanted to get on here and extend a big THANK YOU to the Huskie fans of this message forum.
There is a lot of passion on this forum. Despite the negativism that is sometimes there, the passion is good. I've enjoyed it. While I don't check this forum as often as most of you, that doesn't mean I haven't really enjoyed my visits! Even the few that have been negative towards me or Ty - Not a big deal as we take them for what they are worth. I will check back now and then even when Ty's career is done at NIU, just because we have become loyal Huskie fans. We wish you all and obviously all the Huskie teams the very best.
Tyler's career obviously didn't go as hoped or how it could have given different circumstances of physical health or other things that happend. But, that doesn't mean we look negatively at the past 4 years overall. Some things can't be helped and things happen for reasons. Some day those reasons will be more clear. Tyler will have, like most all people do with any aspect of their lives, the "what ifs". What if he hadn't had injuries that hindered his play much of the past 3 years? What if situations had been different with what went on with his basketball development or how he was handled? What if he had transferred or chosen a diffent school? What if any number of things had been different? That is common. But that stuff doesn't matter. Things did happen this way and he chose to stay loyal to the Huskies. He is a Huskie. He always will be a Huskie. He has enjoyed his time as a student/athlete at NIU and had a few good memories made on the court.
We have been very proud of how he has handled things and what he has become. We are proud that he graduated early and is in a Masters program. We are proud he is staying at NIU after his playing days to get that degree there. Wednesday night will be a special night for all of us in our family despite all the "what ifs" that really don't even matter. We will have about 25 family/friends enjoying a pre-game meal at Fatty's and taking in the game. It will be a good night.
Thanks to all those who have either posted or sent messages of support and understanding regarding Ty's career at NIU. It was very much appreciated. Thanks to those who support the basketball program and who can honestly say they were supportive before things got turned around. Tyler (and we) bought into being part of that turn around 4+ years ago. It didn't happen like it was supposed to, obviously. Hopefully that will still be at least a small part of situation as Coach Montgomery gets that done and that Ty helped many of these young guys grow in ways we maybe won't ever know. Thanks to those who have been so friendly and supportive talking to me at the games. It was always a pleasure. And, thanks in advance for those who will be at his last home game Wednesday night.
We appreciate the passion, support, and hope. And here's to hoping for a few more bright moments as his NIU career comes to a close.
Brad Storm and family
* Yes, I know this type of post opens things up to less than positive reply posts by some forum members. That's fine. We know things most of you can't know and understand that opinions are based only on the information you have. That's how it works. We are so proud of what he has done and how he has done it. We are proud of NIU. And I wanted to have the chance to say
THANK YOU! to you forum members, even with the given risks.
Go Huskies.