Friday marked the official end of classes for my college sophomore career, and, I have to say, I really hate to let this year go. Not to get too sentimental on you here, but my second year in Lexington really could not have gone better, and, as finals approach once again, I find myself constantly looking back on quite possibly the best year of my life as a card-carrying member of the Big Blue Nation.

Being a student at UK is an experience I literally wouldn’t give up for any amount of money, fame, or (dare I say it) national titles. Something about this place honestly gets in your blood and makes it home. I’m loving every moment of the college experience (a statement I reserve the right to revoke during Finals week) and am looking forward to another amazing year at U of K.

Before I kiss my sophomore year goodbye for good, though, I want to take a stroll down memory lane and have a look back at what made this school year so great.

Here are my top ten experiences from the Fall ’11-Spring ’12 year:

10. Watching the Cats play in NCAA tournaments in Lexington

Both women’s soccer and volleyball had the opportunity to host NCAA tournament games at home this season, and it was a lot of fun. There’s nothing like bringing the excitement and intensity of the tournament to friendly confines. Hopefully, these won’t be the last programs to host postseason games this year. We’re looking at you, baseball.

9. Watching the SEC championship and NCAA second round game with Cats fans in Panama City Beach

The scene for both of these at Buffalo Wild Wings in PCB was unreal.

8. This.

7. Camping out all day for front row eRUPPtion Zone spots

You can read the “Diary of a Frozen Cat” story here.

6. World’s Largest Water Balloon Fight

Ok, but really, how awesome is this?

5. Going to Lima, Peru over Christmas Break…and meeting a local who happened to be a Cats fan

It turns out we don’t give ourselves enough credit. It’s much larger than a Big Blue Nation.

4. Watching the Cats take down UNC in Rupp

I will never forget the moment Davis appeared from nowhere and rejected all of the Tar Heels’ hopes and dreams.

3. Watching the Cats take down Tennessee in Commonwealth

Growing up on the border, this was a huge deal for me. I feel like a big, ugly, orange monkey is finally off my back.

2. Being a part of KSR College

Really, being a part of the Kentucky Sports Radio family is a dream come true. Writing for KSR was a dream of mine for a long time, and now that I’m doing it I feel like my life is on the right track. It’s hard to believe that something associated with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin could make things seem right, but we’ll go with it.

1. Sitting front row in NOLA when the Cats won the title

Words just cannot express.

Here’s to another golden year, Kentucky.

@AdamSchiltKSR