Goodbye Minnesota...Its Been GREAT!

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TuffGuy47

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Two years is never long enough! Two years of learning, making friends, maturing and playing football. Two years that flew by so fast....through the good and the bad, I wish he had more. We were just getting to know each other, however, as with all, it's time to leave and make room for others!

I decided that after it was over, due to the many private e-mail encouraging me to say something, I am going to now take a minute and thank this great University and it's students for all it has offered my son. Despite all our best efforts, I and most of us can NEVER give back to this school as much as this school has given all of us...a lifetime of A-Z memories!

Two plus years ago, I came on this site to find common ground to a tough situation. It was NOT my intention to defend poor play nor to reward moments of good play but at the time, a few words were needed and were well received by most of you. I received a ton of private e-mails on this site from students, alumni and other parents who gave us so much support while going through the "storms of adjustment" to Big Ten football for which there are no words that I can possibly use to thank them.

In short, at the end of the day, I am so thankful to our former coaches for seeing something that others blew off...for hanging in there when many called for change....for allowing time to make something grow into their vision....for their patience and an opportunity of ten lifetimes...to play Big Ten football! To Coach Tim Brewster, Tim Davis, Mark Hill and Will Peoples, I cannot thank you enough for all your efforts and your tough love. You had the right words said with the right influence at the right time. I wish you all the very best in your future endevors..you all will always have my respect for all your true work. Despite our 2010 record, there was more to this "winning" season and I for one can still see it!

I want all of you to know that Jeffrey gave this program his all from day one. He was so proud to be a GOPHER, always practiced and played as hard as he could and despite our final record, he leaves a graduate, a proud GOPHER and a winner!

Thank you "U" and our very best wishes for this program under "our" new coach! GO GOPHERS! :clap:

Happy Holidays - Mike Wills
 

Jeff literally worked his butt off for the gophers. I wish he had more time. Good luck and thanks!
 

Your son should be very proud of how he developed here. I feel he's the most improved over the past 2 years by far. Hvae a great holidays!
 

Thank you Mike Wills, you are one class act. Your son Jeff is going to do great in this big game of life, his true accomplishments have yet to be realized.
 

:clap::clap::cheer::clap::clap:

thank you for the past 2 years. I wish there was more active parents in the hole'. congrats on your recent graduate and hope him the best in whatever future he might have.
 



Hey Mike I picked Jeff as our offensive MVP in the preseason and he didn't dissapoint. I thought he improved enough this year to be a legit NFL prospect at RT. Maybe a UFA but he should get a look. Jeff did a great job this year
 

He deserved that rush to Floyd as much as any of the seniors.
 

Best wishes to Jeff. He held up even though his first year he had go through the fires and his senior year he showed something. You stood up for your son with dignity and have every reason to be proud.

Blessings to him and to you. It sounds like someone is going to give him a shot in the NFL

BTW - one saying I like is "a diamond is a piece of coal that held up under the pressure".
 




Thank you Mike Wills for making me see a different side to the game. Everything seems so black and white to fans (you either make the play or you don't) and your patience and messages to the fans on this board opened up a lot of eyes, including mine. With a father like you, Jeff's incredible attitude and work ethic are obviously no coincidence.
 

Awesome stuff. Hopefully you didn't quit reading here after that thread last year because there was a lot of praise being thrown around for Jeff this year, he really turned himself into a good BT O lineman. Sounds like he is leaving here a new person, I wish him nothing but the best!
 

Thank you, Mike, for your loyal support of Gopher football and for Jeff's significant contributions on the field. Jeff and his team went out winners vs Illinois and Iowa. Best wishes to Jeff in all his future endeavors.
 




Thanks for the post and thanks for your son and family's dedication to the U. I hope Jeff gets a great shot to play on Sunday's.

Go Gophers!!
 

Thanks for posting. I always enjoyed your insight and knowledge.

Good luck to Jeff and Happy Holidays to the Wills' family.
 



Thanks for stopping in Mike. Its been a pleasure watching your son grow and mature the past 2 years. He was a great representative of the U and the state of Minnesota. Best of luck in the future for you and your family.
 

+19 to all the above. Enjoyed having you here Mike. Make sure to come back to visit Gopher Hole and best of luck in the future.
 

The whole offensive line

made a nice improvement this year. They turned into a nice unit. I know they had to work their butts off.
 

My 7 year old son and I woke up early this morning. So what else would we do but watch the DVRed game versus Iowa for the fifth time. My son got so excited after Stoudemire forced the 4th quarter fumble. He started yelling dad there's Big Jeff. I was confused so after a rewind I saw Jeff coming running on the field with genuine excitement. What a great way to end things. We hope to see Jeff on Sundays. Best of luck.
 

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"I want all of you to know that Jeff gave this program his all from day one. He was so proud to be a GOPHER, always practiced and played as hard as he could and despite our final record, he leaves a graduate, a proud GOPHER and a winner!"

Proud of him too. Always welcome at our tailgate forever. Always welcome back to campus.
 

Mr. Wills, you're a class act--It takes a LOT to do what you've done over the past two years--not only dealing with your son's transfer but to come to a message board where there's a LOT of opportunity for criticism and mudslinging--and giving your honest opinions and facing the morons who do nothing but troll.
 

Your son represented the University of Minnesota so very well. He took what he had and made himself better. He never, ever gave up. I salute him for having a great senior year on and off the field. I wish you and Jeff the very best.
 

Jeff was one of a few Gophers players and coaches I bumped into on the field after the Iowa win. I thanked him for his efforts and wished him the best going forward, and I echo that today for Jeff and family.

Hope you stick around the board - you may be leaving Minnesota, but you're always a Gopher.
 

You did a great job raising your son. He's a class act that never quit.
 


Jeff is nothing but class and I applaud you for having the courage to stand up for your son on this board. He has turned out to be a great young man. I hope to see him on Sundays as well, but if not he will always have his degree from one of the best public institutions in the country. Best of luck to him, as well as your family.

Happy Holidays!
 

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