It's Great to Have You with Us

By Jacob Greene

4 years. Gone way too soon.  

Photo/Roseline Lemette

I could sit here, write down everything I learned—or I could walk you through it. Quickly. A “short” summary of sorts from which you can draw your own conclusions. 

My sign-on typically goes something like this, “Hello fans and welcome into insert game this Jacob Greene here at insert place in Redding, CA. It’s great to have you with us.” 

I have done a lot. But that is because of the opportunities presented to me. Work hard at what you are passionate about. Be passionate about what you work hard at. Take advantage of every opportunity—try new things, you may be great at it. 

Coach Alex Thiemann took a chance on me. I knew little to nothing about fishing coming in. But now, after hard work, help from people, and experience, I have learned so much. That is the theme of my whole college career. 

New Student Orientation (NSO) weekend, Molly Rupert tried to get me to join The Slate. I was hesitant, but here we are. The rest is history, I guess.  

Worship team, same thing—people took a chance on me, namely Melissa How. I learned bass as I joined—thanks to Kayla Reiss and Jack Morgan. 

I sought after opportunity. I have worked hard to get where I am. To obtain the skills I have. It does not come overnight. I have all of my professors to thank for all of the work they put in to help me. From projects to papers, they were there to help in any way they could. Molly Rupert, Woz, Professor Lemette, Mr. Lemette, and Dr. Brasher. 

I almost left within the first 6 weeks of school. I am so glad I didn’t. My first year saw a lot of things happen to me—the biggest being my grandpa passing away during winter break. But I had my family. I had my friends. Without them, I would not love Simpson as much as I do.  

Simpson is not about the buildings. It is about the people. Scotty, Christine, Eric, Marty, Terry, Alex, Lori, and others in the caf. Plus, all the Bean Scene workers, who are too many to name throughout the years, but between Terry and Jill, they are aware of my need for coffee. I cannot forget Staff and faculty—especially TRIO. Without Keith and Angie, I would not be enrolled nor graduating.  

Without the friends I have made here, I do not know what I would do. When you have a solid group of friends who are always there for you, it makes a huge difference. The only way to get that is to get out of your room, go to events, and talk to people. If it were not for a room change, I would not have become as close with “The Boys” as I did. The Boys, being my friends: Christian, Quinn, Riley, Ron, Tim, Daniel, and Ethen. Plus, there are the mentors I have had—the “older siblings”–including my actual older sister, Natalie. But also, Emily, Gianna, Miller, Gibby, and Noah.  

I think of all the classes I enjoyed. There were so many that without my classmates they would not have been as fun. Do what you enjoy. Find your passion. You do that by trying things. Live outside your comfort zone.  

I can never forget all the podcasting. Most recently, The Perch, but also Off Topic, with an A-list like clockwork every Tuesday during the NFL season. We would all watch Stephen A. Smith’s A-list after making our own. A tradition that has carried on even now.  

I will never forget the chance to play bass for—I think—the first ever metal band at Simpson, Day Nor Hour. Led by Bertie Wolske. Plus, there was also working on what I think will be a film that wins many festivals. Written and directed by Logan Haskell—with the help of many people—Burned Arms and Broken Hands, that was also something super special to be a part of.  

I got to go to Alaska on a mission trip a couple of summers ago. Which was one of the best 2 weeks of my life. That same summer, I went to Washington, D.C. with TRIO. With the Bass Fishing Team, I have also been able to travel. That is something I never thought I would be able to do before the age of 25. Since being in college, I have added 14 states to my checklist. Say yes to things—that is all I can say. 

I used to be a shy kid. Now I have been on the air a lot—for someone that just turned 22, anyway. I got there by trying things. I got recommended to try for a job in radio over the summer. That would eventually lead to me calling games for football, women’s and men’s basketball, softball, baseball, and men’s volleyball. Without Molly Rupert, Connor Sutton, Sam Nakata, Curley Wilson, or everyone else who helps me out in some way within the Athletic Department, I would not be able to do what I love so much. 

Have gratitude. For the people in your life, the opportunity you have, and for the journey God takes you on.  

I had a teammate pass away during winter break of 2022. Myles Davis, someone who took the time to invest in me. He took me fishing a number of times to teach me the ropes. Without him, I would not have accomplished the things I did with the Bass Fishing team. I have a hat I wear specifically at tournaments. One inside, one of the things I have written is “Thanks, Myles.” It’s a small to give him a nod when I’m fishing a tournament. I remember getting the call from my coach—my major league call-up. Which was something I always dreamed of, but unlike in those dreams this call-up was not for baseball. Coach told me I would be fishing the Major League Fishing College series—so I still got called-up to the majors, in a way. 

Some of the most recent “big win” moments stand out to me as I reflect. The first time we put out a printed edition of The Slate, that was huge. The first printed edition in a decade or so. Then, of course, there was getting 3rd place at Clear Lake.  

Some of the earlier wins were when I first played bass for the worship team. It was one of the first few times I had played. It was the first time I had played without feeling any sort of jitters, everything went smooth, and I did not feel ill-prepared at all.  

The same type of situation happened when I started calling games for basketball. It was one of the last few calls I had—shoutout to all my color commentators: Cole McMahon, Sean Rodriguez, Hannah Parsons, Jewels Zaragoza, and AJ Raffaeli. It was electric. It felt effortless, but also flawless. Over the summer, the same thing happened, but on the radio. There was a game mid-season where it felt like every aspect of calling a game, from preparation to process to the pre- and post-game—it all went smoothly. 

I will never forget the first Sweet 16 event I won, Something Epic. Jewels and I were the team leaders. Our team was so much fun, but also competitive. The event is a variety of mini games that culminate in points based on a slew of different categories, such as your chant, team participation, the place you finished, and your overall team energy. The Sweet 16 events started my freshman year. If you want to see how far my journalism skills have come, go find the article to see how bad it was compared to now. I had come close to winning many times, so finally winning one felt awesome—especially as a team leader with one of my closest friends.  

Also, as an RA for two years now, I have learned so much that I will carry with me. Leadership is a learned skill. It is something that I am still developing. But it is also something I will use for the rest of my life. My leadership philosophy is humble servitude. Have an attitude of serving humbly. This is because I believe that to lead is to serve, as Jesus did.  

I have been able to experience a lot. I have been able to have lots of opportunities. But it is because of God, nothing else. People, opportunity, passion, and ambition were given to me, which helped me take the journey I have.  

God has given me a path. He gave me Simpson. He gave me the people in my life. For that, I will always be grateful. As the curtain closes on my time as a student, I look forward to where life goes from here. Simpson helped prepare me for my dream job. One day, I will be calling games on the radio for a major league baseball team.  

7, 138 cups of coffee later, peace out, Simpson.