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.
 
So, (Dan) Wilkes has been asking for weeks for me to add my thoughts about memories of Pitt State during this quarantine that we are all dealing with.

I have a hard time putting my thoughts down on paper and really had a hard time getting started with this, until today. My bestie posted a picture on Facebook this morning of us playing softball back in the 90s. We were literally one of the best teams to come through Pitt. And that one picture has now had over 90 comments from over 10 people who were either on the team or had a connection with us during those years. Wow.

The memories just come flooding back. It's crazy how one single picture can arouse so many memories from over 25 years ago. And it seems like just yesterday. But then it also seems like forever ago. The people we met, the memories we made. It's something that nobody can ever take away from us.

That's what college sports and great towns like Pittsburg give young adults. I never dreamed of going to Pittsburg. In fact, before I went there my sophomore year in college, I hadn't really ever heard of Pittsburg, Kansas. But now it's forever embedded in my heart.  They say "Once a Gorilla, Always a Gorilla". Well, that's a fact!

I went to school with and played softball with some of the greatest people on earth. I met my very best friend in the world there. If Coach Brad Horky hadn't recruited me from Allen County, I would have never met her. And here we are, 26 years later, closer than ever in our hearts, even though we live four hours apart and only see each other a few times a year!  Sometimes we would go years without seeing each other. But that never severed the closeness and connection that we had. We were bonded – like sisters.

And the best thing is, there are several others from our team that I am just as close to. We get together and it's like we were never apart. We love each other's kids like our own. We have this bond that no one can ever take away. One that will be there for life! I would drop anything and everything if one of these ladies needed me. And I know the feeling is mutual.

I also have this bond with guys who played football and baseball. They are like brothers to me. It's a bond and closeness that is unexplainable. It's just there. The fact of the matter is, we never would have even known each other without being a part of the Pitt family, without being a Gorilla.  Oh, what I wouldn't give to go back and just have a few days to have no worries, no responsibilities (except to be at practice five minutes early), right Horky? To go back and live the carefree life of a college student…

Now, I get to be the parent of a Gorilla student-athlete.  My son (Tucker Horak) plays football there and we get to load up and go to games every Saturday in the fall. It makes me proud to know that he chose that and wanted to be a Gorilla. I truly believe that he saw the connection I still have with all of my peeps from Pitt, and he liked what he saw. So he went down for a visit. The first thing he said when we were done with the tour was that it "felt like home". That's a great way to explain the feeling you get when you are a part of Pitt State. It has always felt like home, and I believe it always will.  I also see the bonds he has made with his teammates and roommates. It seems crazy, but I see us in them. They have an undeniable bond that I'm sure will last a lifetime. 

So, to Dan Wilkes, I will apologize it took me so long to get this to you. I'm not someone who writes down my feelings easily. But after the Facebook picture today, with the jokes and memories flying around, it made me thankful for everything that Pitt State did for me. It reminded me of what a wonderful community and college we have there.  And not only what it can do for students and athletes, but what it can do for your soul.

I love my girls and all of the memories with everyone who had a part in our success. From the stat keeper, to the media guy and caretaker of us, to the coaches, and especially the girls, my BFFs, THANK YOU for making my life better and for all of the memories. Love you all.

Wendi Horak
 
Wendi (Rickson) Horak finished her decorated career as a member of the Pittsburg State University softball team as a three-time All-MIAA performer (1992-94). The Silver Lake, Kan., native set the Pitt State single season record with a .461 batting average as a junior in 1993, helping the Gorillas to a 36-8 record and the program's first NCAA Division II National Tournament appearance. She helped Pitt State to a school record 48 wins (48-15), the program's first MIAA regular season title and a repeat berth to the NCAA Tournament in 1994. She was inducted into the PSU Athletics Hall of Fame in the Class of 2017. Wendi and her husband Terry reside in Rossville, Kan.
 
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)
Vol. IX - Caitlin Demarest, PSU Alum/WBB Athlete (Apr. 24)
Vol. X - Tyson Cushman, Baseball Athlete (Apr. 27)
Vol. XI - Oscar Gonzalez, PSU Alum/Men's Basketball Athlete (Apr. 29)
Vol. XII - Russ Jewett, Cross Country/Track & Field Coach (May 1)
Vol. XIII - Ronald Moore, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (May 4)
Vol. XIV - Emily Regier, Volleyball Athlete (May 6)