An Epochal Open Letter from Mac Dalena to the Fresno State Bulldog Community
Dear Red Wave family,
As I ponder on my trip, my heart overflows with gratitude, pride, and deep feeling. Today, I’d like to offer my profound gratitude to the Fresno State Bulldogs Football program, the passionate fans, and the whole Fresno city for shaping my life and career in more ways than I can say.
From the moment I stepped on the field at Bulldog Stadium, I felt I was a part of something far bigger than football. Wearing the red and blue was more than just representing a team; it was about reflecting the passion, determination, and legacy of a program founded on grit and heart. You provided me with a home, a purpose, and a platform for personal developmentānot just as a player, but as a man.
To Coach Jeff Tedford and the entire coaching team, thank you for believing in me, pushing me, and challenging me to do my best every day. You never tolerated complacency. You taught me discipline, resilience, and the ability to overcome adversity. You transformed loss into a source of strength, and victories into occasions of solidarity.
To my teammates: brothers for life. I will cherish the camaraderie we formed in the locker room, on those road trips, and on every fourth-down conversion or defensive stand for the rest of my life. You were more than teammates; you were family. I am happy to have struggled beside you in the trenches and witnessed the successes and heartbreaks that define the Bulldog spirit.
Thank you, Red Wave fans, for your steadfast support through every snap, win or loss. Whether it was under the valley sun or the Friday night lights, your voices elevated us, your cheers inspired us, and your faith sustained us. You are this program’s heartbeat.
Thank you, Fresno community, for welcoming me with open arms. You’ve demonstrated what loyalty, humility, and genuine community look like. Your affection has served as a steady anchor for local businesses and neighborhood families alike. You raised, shaped, and supported me as if I were your own child.
As I prepare to take the next step in my life, I want you to know that Bulldog pride will always be there in all I do. Fresno State is more than simply a place to play; it is a place that changed me. The teachings, the love, and the legacy will stay with me forever.
This is not a goodbye; it is a thank you. Thank you for the memories, experiences, and magic.
Always a Bulldog.
With my whole heart,
Mac Dalena
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