Editor's Note:  This is the most recent piece in a series of stories shared by Gorillas to Gorillas as we all embark upon this new "season" in our lives. These certainly are unprecedented times, for young and old alike. Our hope is for Gorilla student-athletes, past and present, coaches and members of Gorilla Nation to read these pieces, awaken their Gorilla memories and then compose their own story to share with us. There is strength in numbers.
 
Truth be told, I never intended on playing D2 basketball. I never intended on staying in Kansas for longer than two years. I certainly did not plan on going to Pitt State.
 
I actually took my recruiting visit as an excuse to hang out with an old teammate from junior college, Anna Nimz. I would be lying if I told you that visit convinced me to be a Gorilla. I actually waited to sign my letter of intent all the way up until the day it expired. The hour before it expired.
 
 Probably a week before I signed, I told Coach Amanda Davied I was trying to decide between Pitt and Arkansas Monticello. In true AD (Amanda Davied) fashion, she told me in her AD way something to the extent of "if that's where you want to go, then go!" She can correct me if I'm wrong, but she later told me she was dumbfounded that it wasn't a no brainer for me. Looking back, I agree, but in my defense, my first experience of Kansas was Dodge City. There is a reason for the saying "Get outta Dodge".
 
I reflect on my time at Pitt State during a time where there are no sports. During a time it was proposed to not allow fans at games to limit COVID-19 exposure. My favorite memories about being a Gorilla and playing at Pitt State are of the people at PSU and the fans.
 
I have memories of the late Charles and Ann Snow, who were always waiting by the locker room after games to give out hugs. They will never know how much that meant to an out of state kid with no family in town.
 
Bill Thompson, who was always in the stands with multiple player numbers on his homemade shirt. A guy who I don't think missed a single game during the time I played and coached at Pitt State.
 
Sunny Pierce, who would always come and give me a left handed handshake, the hand closest to the heart. Even after her daughter was finished playing, she was still a staple at the games sitting in the top mezzanine.
 
Phil Carr, who drove me to the doctor after my shoulder dislocated for the third and final time. Who also asked me to count back from 100 by 7's after I hit my head (I still can't do that without thinking really hard by the way).
Lastly, Coach Davied, who was the reason I signed at Pitt and who I will always claim to be a basketball genius; she taught me everything I know about basketball. I am forever grateful for her loyalty and still consider her one of my closest friends.
 
I have countless memories of so many more people who made my time at Pittsburg special. So many more staples in that town that make me smile to this day. I'm sorry I can't share them all.
 
Nearly 14 years ago, I never would have imagined my decision on where to go to college would be a watershed moment.
 
As I am writing this, I am "social distancing" with my family in Kansas City, looking forward to FaceTiming with five of my best friends/old teammates on Sunday; Janelle Klein (now Wilkerson), Tracy Patry (now Rowe), Emily Sloan (now Anderson), Anna Nimz, Katelyn Hinkin. Our new form of hanging out. Crazy times.
 
I don't even want to imagine where I would be if I went to Arkansas Monticello to be a Cotton Blossom.
 
NWHTAG
OAGAAG
 
Caitlin Demarest
 
Caitlin Demarest was a guard on the Pittsburg State women's basketball team for three seasons from 2007-09. She was an assistant coach at Newman University (2010) and Seward County Community College (2013-14) with a two-year stint as a graduate assistant at Pitt State in between (2011-12). She is currently a police officer in Lenexa, Kan. Caitlin and her wife, Jessica, have two sons, Blaise (1) and Koa, who was born Feb. 20.
 
Please share your own personal stories/thoughts via email to dwilkes@pittstate.edu. We want to share them! (PSU Athletics reserves the right to edit content for space and appropriateness. We cannot promise to publish every submission, but we will do our best.) Thanks Gorilla Nation!

Through the Eyes of a Gorilla Archives
Vol. I - Dan Wilkes, Associate AD/Communications (Apr. 3)
Vol. II - Levi Wyrick, Football/Track & Field Athlete (Apr. 7)
Vol. III - Amanda Davied, Women's Basketball Coach (Apr. 10)
Vol. IV - Chris Hanna, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (Apr. 13)
Vol. V - Jeff Moreland, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (Apr. 15)
Vol. VI - Emily Hanenberg, Volleyball Athlete (Apr. 17)
Vol. VII - Ashley Balazs, Softball Coach (Apr. 20)
Vol. VIII - Peter Euler, PSU Alum/CC T&F Athlete (Apr. 22)