One building that I will never forget is the John Lance Arena in Pittsburg, Kansas. It is Pittsburg State University’s basketball gym and also housed the football team’s locker room and gym during my time there. It is not a good looking building by any means. The brick is faded to a light red and mixed with a light-tan stone, most of the roof is a modern-themed gray metal. There is a bike rack to the right of the doors where athletes generally park their bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, dirt bikes, and whatever else is driven in the small town northwest of Joplin.

I will never forget my time at Pittsburg State because it had such a mixed effect on me. When I first arrived to start my college career and continue playing football, I was excited. I never thought it was ideal. I had hoped for somewhere like OU but I was happy for the opportunity. I spent an uncountable number of hours in this building for study hall, morning workouts, team meetings, pre-practices, post-practices, classes, and more. While I did not enjoy Pitt State I do have some good memories. Whether it’s causing trouble with the friends in the pointless courses athletes were required to take, or getting pummeled at 6:00 AM three times a week by the strength coach.   I ended up leaving the university after one semester because I couldn’t bear to continue attending, but I won’t ever forget all the time I spent there.