Microphone in hand, Josh Heytvelt looked out upon the beaming crowd at the McCarthey Center. It was senior night at the Kennel, and he now was being given the opportunity to say a few words about how he felt after his final home game as a Bulldog.
The crowd let out a cheer as Heytvelt walked to the front of the group on the floor, prompting a nervous smile from the 6-10 center. Finally, he started to speak.
“I want to thank everybody in this gym, and this community, uh…” he managed, before he choked up. He put a hand on his forehead and shifted his gaze to the floor.
For Heytvelt, this was a moment that was two years in the making. Two years after a fateful arrest and suspension, two years after doubts and whispers, and two years after an inspired and determined comeback, Heytvelt could finally say how he truly felt about the Gonzaga community.
His eyes wandered anywhere but on the student section. If he had made eye contact, he would have broken down like everyone else upon finishing his heartfelt statement:
“… for accepting me back, and letting me do what I did the last couple of years.”
The crowd and his teammates let out a raucous standing ovation. It was a cheer large enough to represent an entire Gonzaga career, which for Heytvelt lasted five seasons in Bulldog blue.
His emotions spilling out, Heytvelt buried his face into Austin Daye’s shoulder as the cheering continued. It was a cathartic moment that seemed long-overdue, a moment where Heytvelt, who had become so stoic and guarded during his career, could finally let the shield down and embrace the outpouring of sentiment from everyone in the arena.
The intimidating, rim-rocking center seemed, at that moment, suddenly very humble under the applause from his peers. He was a 23-year old kid giving a simple thank you for the support he had received.
It wasn’t a Lou Gherig speech, but it didn’t need to be. In 28 words, Heytvelt summed up the feelings of every Gonzaga fan, coach, player, and supporter.
In 2007, it could have been very easy to give up on Heytvelt, to write him off as someone who made a bad decision and nothing more. The fact that this didn’t happen is a testament to the integrity and heart of the Gonzaga community. In a crucial moment, we leant him a hand. He was still our brother.
With the support, and a second chance, he fought his way back on and off the court. He was reinstated to the team months later and nearly won the WCC player of the year this year. And more importantly, he gradated in 2008, and moved on to graduate studies.
One minute and 28 words was all it needed to say a proper thank you.
As Heytvelt finished his words that night, young men and women fought tears in their eyes. Others beamed smiles of pride. At that moment, it finally became clear just how strong that bond is between this man and the community who supported him. It finally became clear that the support was always there, but its heartfelt nature finally decided to show itself on Heytvelt’s final night in the Kennel. It finally became clear that, though thick and thin, highs and lows, Josh Heytvelt and Gonzaga would never let each other down.
