I’m sad to say, but I must be on my way
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Like most people, instead of focusing on the good things in life, I tend to focus on what’s wrong with it or how it could be better.
I realized this a couple weeks ago while watching Charlo take on Superior. Seeing kids, who when I started covering western Montana sports in Superior four years ago were fifth-grade Little Guy Wrestlers, suit up for the varsity game made me think of how lucky I’ve been the past four years.
While most people are stuck in an office or slaving away at a job they don’t like, I’m watching sports and I’ve seen some amazing things in four years.
Two of the best football games I’ve ever seen are Class C, eight-man football games, including the Vikings’ come-from-behind win against White Sulphur Springs. I was able to watch Xavier Morigeau jump over somebody on his way to a record-breaking 334-yard game. I watched Kyle Bagnell pitch the most dominant season ever. I watched Arlee prove every cliché about a team true as the undersized Warriors marched to the Class C state tournament last year and the list could go on and on.
The realization of how lucky and good I have it, has made my decision to move on even harder, but it’s not just the sports I’ll miss. The people in this valley has made this place feel like home to me
When I started working at this paper a little more than two years ago, I would go to the sporting events as just a reporter, now I go as a fan and as a friend.
First off to the coaches, I want to say I’m really not a pest. As a son of a teacher I know Sunday is probably the one day of the week you get to rest and relax with your family. If it wasn’t for my job there is no way I would call you and call you and call you on Sunday.
I would also like to say thank you for always getting back to me and for the great job you do. It seems that the coaches I’ve dealt with realize while winning is important, teaching the kids and getting them prepared for life is more important.
I’m not an idiot, well I am, but I’m smart enough to know that I’m dealing with the kids in a controlled environment, where there is always adult supervision. And while I have no idea how they act, when there are no adults around, I do know that they’re a lot better than me when I was their age. Every athlete I’ve interviewed has been respectful and I’ve never heard a coach, no matter how mad, say a bad word about any of their athletes.
While it was a tough decision to move on, I know it was the right one, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to miss it. I know I’m going to miss spending my Saturday afternoons at track meets this spring. I’m going to miss Bulldog superfan Lynn Delacaris letting me know when I make a mistake. I’m going to miss loading up my bike and fishing gear in the back of my truck to go to a Mariners’ tournament this summer and I’m going to miss the coaches, parents and athletes that made my two years here truly remarkable. And for that I say thank you.
