I'm Sure Mike is Celebrating

It's hard to believe that it has been over a year since Mike left us, and I know that his loss still weighs heavily on all of us. I was reading insidelacrosse.com last week, and I saw some news that will hopefully will bring a smile to everyone's face:

"The only team in the STX/Inside Lacrosse preseason top 25 that went through their season without a loss, the Warriors of Brother Rice are the 2008 STX/Inside Lacrosse national champions."

Im sure that Mike is looking down on us with a huge smile, knowing that his beloved alma mater, Brother Rice, is the top-ranked high school lacrosse program in the country after completing a 23-0 season that culminated in yet another Michigan state championship.

Here is a link to the article:

http://www.insidelacrosse.com/page.cfm?pagerid=65840&cat=67366&hidecontent=yes&id=190854

I hope that everyone is well, and everyone has a safe and enjoyable summer. Take care.

-Beau Barnett
Class of '97

In our hearts

It has been a year since Mike has left us. Sometimes it feels like a long time and sometimes it feels like yesterday. I have thought about writing so many times, but today just seemed to be the right time.
I think often about how things would have been, but also think about how things are today because of Mike's presence in our lives. Even though he left us too early, he will always be a part of our lives. He gave so much to us: faith, happiness, love, kindness, laughter, his friends and family, his love to my daughter.
From my heart, Susie Haltenhof (Amber's Mom)

Coaching is not easy

Walking back onto the familiar grounds of DeSmet Jesuit High day after day, it remains unfamiliar to look over to the varisty and not being able to hear or see you. I am trying my best to be a man for these kids as you were for me. It isn't easy, it's frustrating as you know. I can only hope I can be a bit like you so they can catch a glimpse of the man that taught me how to play. The game lives on in me and I will never forget you. It's not possible. The important thing I try never to forget is that it's not about being the best but putting out the best effort you have day in and day out; to give 100% just like you taught us. (sometimes I forget...and losing is definitely never going to be manageable, but I'll try) I know that you are always smiling down on all of us right after you finish making the angels run some rips.
DeSmet may never know another like you again. Count on me coach. I still miss you.

-Ferris '04

Missing Mike

I was happy to see a few posted comments lately about Mike. Over the past year I am certain that there hasn’t been a day that I haven’t thought about him or his impact in my life. Here are a few pictures that I have found in the past few months that are of Mike in a much different way than most of you remember him. I knew Mike as a firefighter, financial mentor and friend.

Thanks Mike for everything.

Mike Thiemann

1 year later

I have never posted on this blog but i can remember endless nights where i would stay up and read everyone's thoughts of coach. I was personally there in Indiana when coach died and recieved the news from Coach Goudy when he simply said..."he didnt make it." As the one year anniversary of that day looms near i cannot help but think of coach sennett every single day. it hurts to look at the prayer card that i still have from last year that is in my money clip and read the "miss me - but let me go" prayer that is on it. When i do read it though i am filled with so many different emotions that i cant even desribe. It pains me to say that i never knew what coach sennett really meant to me until he was gone and i had to live life without him. he taught me so many things that, as life unfolds, i am seeing really mkae sense. His game was not just lacrosse and we all know that. Coach put every cell of energy into making us better kids and to hopefully grow us into men. i see his example everyday. I dont think words could, or will, ever describe how much i mis coach sennett on a daily basis. every single aspect of coach i miss and i wish he was there to hug me when i visited practice and came to games to see how our team was doing. i also am truly sorry for the future players at desmet that they never knew coach sennett, but also encourage players to listen to coach goudy, because in my opinion, he is coach's best living example. Coach Sennett, i was always a little afraid of you but never, ever did i not respect and love you for what you gave me. I can never personally thank you enough for your impact on my life. This past year has seemed unreal and one i would want you to be here for, but I will take an extra angel lookinfg over me. Thanks for everything and I miss you.

-Ted Klein

1 year later

My Angel

Hey everyone. I had the unique perspective of having mike in my life from day 1. I'm Johnny, his oldest nephew. I hadn't looked at this website until today, mostly because I didn't feel like crying. Well I'm sitting in the airport, waiting for a delayed flight and decided it was about time. So now im posting my memory, with happy tears in my eyes.
Mike hooked me up with my first lacrosse stick, a busted pealing white brine shaft, and a savage head with a traditional string job, when I was in 6th grade. I also got a "bucket helmet" anyone who has been around the game knows how ugly those relics are. Well from that day I was hooked. Anyway my memory of Mike happened in Barbados. We had gathered the whole family together to celebrate my grandparents anniversary. I had snuck a couple of sticks down in my duffle bag. Well I busted those bad boys out and asked Mikey to play a little. I was about 14 and I toss Mikey the ball. No Problem. Then Mike throws it back, and by throw I mean launch at what seemed like a 1,000,000,000 mph. I just looked at him as the ball went bay and said "really?" haha mikey just laughed and we went and got the ball together. We continued to play catch after we found the ball, and Mike refused to slow down the passes. I was frustrated at him then, but looking back on it, that was the best thing he could have done. Growing up with Mikey's rocket passes made for an easy transition into my future role as a defenseman. I remember going to tryouts and not caring about getting hit by a shot, since mikey had been doing it for so long. He really taught me a fundamental lessons. They're not gonna slow down their shot because u get in the way. He also taught me not to drink out of his "Ice Tea" bottles.
Mike was a great mentor, and he is the reason I came to St. Louis. I play lacrosse at Fontbonne, thanks in great part to Mikey's influence. To all his boys, u guys got lucky, u had a great coach and a legend teach you the game, to all his friends (the old guys) haha, I wish I could have seen Mikey in his prime at Notre Dame.
My personal feelings about Mikey's moving on are, #1 I know he is in heaven and he is waiting for all of us with a big half crooked smile,and #2 I KNOW he s putting together the perfect field, so that when we all join him, we will have a kick ass field to play on.
Mikey, I love u, I miss you, and I hope u will always look down on me and smile, proud that you can call me your nephew. Mike you taught me everything I would ever need to know,and you are all the role model I will ever need. (Don't worry, u too Dad) :-)
Count On Me, forever
-Johnny Sennett