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As a junior, I was about to shed a tear at the end of year. This time around, it’ll be difficult.

I never thought four years could go by so quickly. Seems like when you are finally in a groove, the shot clock runs dry. Reflecting on what I’ve accomplished these four years, which includes being an intramural basketball referee and a proud resident assistant of De Neve Acacia 4 – The Best Damn Floor Period, I can honestly say joining the Daily Bruin has been the most rewarding.

Sure, I’ve had my differences (run-ins with copy editors, designers and graphic artists), but somehow we’ve always made up. But the one thing that hasn’t changed is how much fun I’ve had.

At no other college paper would I be able to travel to so many cities and run up the bill on hotels and food.

At no other paper would I be able to have four of the five bylines on the back page (it was a summer issue my junior year). At no other paper would I get to lock arms with a student ultimate fighter and then do a three-page spread on him.

At no other paper would I get to do a first-person perspective on what it’s like being an athlete by training with the football team, the women’s basketball team and attempting water polo. At no other paper would I get to meet so many people who have the same passion I do.

Senior year was definitely the creme de la creme of my years at UCLA. I covered a football team that was actually good, a men’s basketball team that had an improbable run in the tourney, and a women’s water polo team that continues to amaze me year after year (I’ve been a part of three national championship teams – some don’t even get to experience one).

It feels just like yesterday when I first set foot in the Daily Bruin office and saw my name on a piece of paper, signifying my acceptance to the sports intern class of 2003. Never in my dreams did I think this would lead to a career. For the next two years, I will be working for Hearst Newspapers. I would’ve never landed that job had it not been for the opportunities I have received at the Daily Bruin.

Before my last piece for this paper ends, I’d like to point out and give a special thanks to those with whom I have crossed paths during my time at the Daily Bruin: Adam Krikorian, Natalie Golda, Thalia Munro, Kelly Rulon, Jorge Salcedo and the men’s soccer team, Arron Afflalo, Nikki Blue, Noelle Quinn, Drew Olson, Chris Markey and the UCLA SID staff.

Most of all I want to thank Seth Fast Glass, who has helped me grow so much since we formed the best sports editor staff the paper will ever see (props to Jeff Eisenberg and Andrew Finley).

E-mail Chu at bchu@media.ucla.edu with your most memorable moment at UCLA.