For 20 years of my life, I had never heard of Pikeville. In fact, the first time I heard of it, I said to myself, "What the heck is a Pike(S)ville? Where is that even at?" In the summer of 2008, I was faced with a roadblock. Not knowing where to go to play basketball and finish my education I got on knees and put it in God's hands. In a matter of time I started to hear from different coaches. One of the first coaches and schools I talk to was Happy at Georgetown. Haa Can you imagine me at Georgetown instead of Pikeville? That’s a joke right. Anyhow I got in contact with another guy, and he happen to be Kelly Wells. I can tell from the first conversation that this guy was different. It was something about our conversations that instilled hope that this could be a good fit for me. On top of that Coach Wells and asst coach at the time Coach Riley drove 7 long hours up to good ol Michigan to watch me play in a summer league game. The day they were there I played good in my game and afterwards I still didn’t know what I wanted to do. Since I didn’t know what to do, Coach Wells ended up staying an extra night. He said he wasn’t leaving until he got me. I prayed real hard that night to God and the next morning I woke up and knew what I wanted to do. We all sat down in my house with my Mom and I ended up signing the papers to play for Pikeville. The excitement was all over Coach Wells face. I believe he may have done a Michael Jordan fist pump. Haa I knew that I had made the right decision without even ever checking out the campus or city of Pikeville. (crazy right) :P
Coming down to Pikeville in 2008 it was a different change for me. Surrounded by mountains, having terrible cell phone service, 4 restaurants to eat at and no mall in town I was a little shell shock. I thought to myself, how am I going to survive here two years. As time went on and I begin to meet more people the more comfortable I became. One thing I noticed about the campus and city of Pikeville everyone was so generous and nice. That’s a big change coming from up north. After time, Pikeville became my home away from home.
One of the main reasons I came to Pikeville was to play basketball. In my junior season I went on to being 2nd team All American and 1st team all conference with many other accolades. That season for me was remarkable. Coming from a Division 1 and leaving there on a bad note, I had something to prove. I believe I proved everything bit of what I needed to and then some. Going into my senior year of ball I tore 3 ligaments in my ankle. This really prevented me from playing at the level that I was once at. Not being able to play how I wanted I went into a semi depression. Many people didn’t know because I stayed positive on the outside but all along on the inside I was hurting. Somehow through all of the pain I manage to get through and leave my all on the floor but most importantly basketball landed me a college degree, so you know that made Momma proud! : )
Right before graduation I was offered a job opportunity to work at the college to be an Admissions Counselor. Wanting to continue my basketball career overseas but still plagued by injuries I felt like this could be a good opportunity for me. A job fresh out of college is hard to find these days. I prayed about it for about a month straight, talked it over with friends and family and a month and a half after graduation I was back on the hill. Another great thing with working at the college, I was able to play semi-pro basketball for the East Kentucky Energy in town so not only did I have a great job, I was also playing the game I love. Being an Admissions Counselor taught me a great deal of lessons. It brought into my life new responsibilities, decision making, learning how to be more precise, and definitely a great deal of patience. God opened a door way with this job and I have met some great students and people in one year. I am forever thankful for my co workers and the relationship(s) we built. This job done a lot for me and I am forever grateful for the experience. :)
It saddens me that my time in Pikeville has come to an end. I am very connected to this place. I've had some great times here and some bad times. I came here at the age of 20 and now 23, I have matured a lot. I know God led me here for a reason. I pray as I leave this place that the way I lived showed a representation of Christ. I know I could have been a better witness for God but I did the best I could. I always wanted to be a positive factor for everyone and I tried. One thing about me is I will life coach you and give you advice no matter if I know you or not or what time of the day or night. Funny thing is when I first got here and people begin to know about me, I use to hear, "hey that’s the Christian boy." That makes me smile because I always want to live a life for Christ and show others that they can too!
I have many great memories here and I will forever cherish them. Pikeville, you have been good to me and I am thankful for all of the people that I have connected to during my time here. It has been a real good pleasure being here. I ask that everyone stay in contact. I'm only a click away, search engine away on facebook. Don’t be afraid to write on my wall or say hello. I will miss you all!!!!!!
p.s. I will no longer have the 606 # so if you text or call I will not get it. God bless you and I wish you all nothing but much success in life!
Love,
Joshua "scotty" Samarco
