Emotional Conroy leads seniors

For the Washington seniors, last Saturday's win over No. 9 Arizona was more than a basketball game -- it was the culmination of an emotional journey filled with ups, downs, twists and turns.

Most of them fought back emotions because of the magnitude of the game, but their teammates knew they were there.

"He didn't really say much," said Bobby Jones of senior teammate Will Conroy, "But the emotions were there. I could see a little tear in his eye, but he knew there was business to take care of."

For Conroy, the game meant everything. It was the culmination of a four-year career, breaking the all-time Husky single season assist record and playing in front of his family and friends in Seattle for the final time.

Coming out of high school Conroy entertained offers from a number of schools, but in the end he decided to play for his hometown Huskies.

"If I had to do it all over again I would do exactly the same thing," he said.

Being the instrumental cog in righting the Husky ship is something Conroy takes great pride in.

"This ride we are on is the best experience I have ever had," he said. "It's just huge being here for this. It's so rewarding."

Conroy has come full circle. Freshman year he was the team clown, sophomore year he was confident and a little too cocky, junior year he was the quiet leader and senior year he has proven to be the consummate professional, outspoken leader the Huskies needed to succeed.

"You sacrifice a lot when you are a leader," Conroy said. "You can't be the class clown you want to be. I had to cut a lot of that out, but looking back it was the best thing for me."

As the Huskies leader, Conroy has earned his stripes. Playing through the years of mediocrity has given the UW point guard a new lease on his future.

"You hear stuff about the NBA, but you can't get your hopes up," Conroy said. "I just hope that I get my chance."

No matter what his future holds, Conroy knows where he will be when he isn't working.

"Wherever I go, in my free time, guess where I will be?" he said. "That's right, I will be right here with coach Romar telling the guys to run their lines."

As for his career as a Husky, Conroy couldn't be happier. He is on the verge of becoming the all-time career assist leader in Husky history and is ready to carry that banner with pride.

"Its about time we got someone modern up on this board anyway," he remarked in jest. "We need to get those old afros out of here."

Of all the great memories Conroy and the Husky seniors will take with them, the memories of family, unity and team bonding are the ones that will echo forever in the minds and hearts of these Huskies.

"We are brothers from other mothers," Conroy said with a smile as he gazed toward the rafters of Hec Edmundson Pavilion and reminisced about his career.

"I will always talk with these guys," he said. "Most of them are going to be in the pros, so I know we will be talking."

There is that sense of confidence with a touch of that contagious Conroy cockiness. That cockiness has given the Huskies an edge down the stretch over the past two seasons and will waft through the air of Husky basketball for years to come. That swagger is what makes opposing teams scared to come into the Dawg house.

After the pageantry of Senior Day, Conroy's biggest fan could be seen standing courtside gazing throughout the arena with a crumpled tissue in her hand and a tear in her eye.

"I am so proud of Will," said his mother, Renee. "I am so emotional. I have been crying all day, but what a day to be a Husky."

What a day indeed.

As Conroy left the court for the final time, he knelt over and kissed the W at center court to pay homage and say thank you for his time at the UW.

As Conroy left the arena beaming with Husky pride, it was clear that the W kissed him back for his four years of service.