It's a Carolina women's basketball tradition that senior players say a few words at the annual team banquet. Elizabeth Coughran, an English major from San Jose, Calif., decided to offer her senior memories as a poem. Her work, which she read at the banquet on April 16, follows:

Well here it goes, the day I never thought would be.
The day that Carolina becomes my past, when for my entire life it was all I could see.
UNC was my dream, a dream I thought could never come true.
But I now stand here, officially being able to wear Carolina blue.
I wore it my whole life, when at one point it was just a bunch of wishes.
But I can actually say, "I did it", "I'm done", and tell all those who said I couldn't to "kiss it"
Sorry ya'll, that might be a bit unacceptable
But the bottom line is I accomplished what at one point was only dreamable.
However, I could have never done it all alone
Those of you who know them, know that mommie 'n daddy stayed on my phone.
My parents are above all others, the absolute best.
No offense to all those out there, but mine can't be compared to any of the rest.
Coaches, you know without me even stating, how thankful I am for you.
I showed up one day in your office from Cali. having absolutely no clue.
Except for the fact that I wanted to be a part,
A part of Carolina that was so deep in my heart.
I didn't care what it was, or what role I had to play.
I simply had a dream and you opened the door that day.
I started as a manager, which was just a title to me.
Cuz I was openly accepted and treated like the rest of the family.
However, that soon wasn't enough, it was my own locker and jersey I desired.
So you told me to go make a mile in 6:30, just the thought of that made me tired.
So I dropped to my knees, and asked "God, is this what YOU want?"
Cuz a mile in 6:30, shooo...come on ya'll I ain't gonna front!!!
Well, I guess you can see I actually did it ... noooo not in 6:30!
But after a couple of times I added up some extra time and finally made it.
Then came the scholarship that coach sent me in the mail.
"Are you serious!? I couldn't believe it... it was the perfect beginning to the end of my Carolina trail.
This is just the basics of the goal I just achieved.
A dream that was made possible because of every person who believed.
Believed in me and my hope to make a difference here,
To persevere, build character, a do what I did best ... CHEER!
No really, it is true, I owe you all in this room a thank you.
For the daily challenges and tests, cuz I really had no clue.
No clue that I would end up being the person you see today.
I have a new perspective on life, and realize the price we have to pay.
Life will not always be easy, but for that you realize to be thankful
That without the trials and struggles, we would all be boring and quit dreadful.
Those things are what make us the people we want to be.
So smile at your struggles and pain, and welcome adversity.
I could look at this past season and think, "Man, what a waste of time."
I blew out my knee the first day of practice, and class...well as a fifth-year senior, that wasn't where I spent my time.
I didn't get to practice, and I didn't get to play.
But it was by far the most rewarding year because of the price I did pay.
I had to learn some new characteristics, ones I didn't always possess.
Patience, perseverance, faith, and trust that God knew what He was doing and that it was what was best.
So, my big senior advice is to always press on,
Never give up, persevere, dream big, and most of all have fun.
Enjoy where you're at, don't regret or rush time,
Cuz it goes really fast and these really are some great times.
So, teammates, my buddies, its time for EDDIE to move on
I don't think we'll have any problems to pass
My nickname of Eddie on down to the next class.
Y'all know that I love you lots and that you have made a lasting impression on my heart.
With the many memories we share, I never will part.
Carolina has been so good to me and my appreciation is true and real.
I thank everyone in this room for making my dream not only a reality, but absolutely Surreal!

THANK YOU & I LOVE YOU ALL!!!