It's hard to believe that just one year ago I was in awe of my chance to be an Assistant Sports Editor and cover some important teams. Now I feel the same way about the opportunity I have to lead this newspaper as Editor in Chief.
I'd be lying if I said my experience with this section didn't greatly prepare me for my future challenges. And what a year it was.
I had the chance to cover three teams that had special seasons in their own right. First the men's soccer team decided to go crazy and win games it had no business of winning which culminated in a highly memorable trip to North Carolina. Then the men's basketball team decided it would win every meaningless game after blowing a chance to make the NCAA Tournament - thereby destroying any hope I had of passing my classes in the process (why don't accounting professors understand the importance of covering these games?).
Finally, I had the awkward experience of covering the men's lacrosse team through crime and sports stories. Thanks 'Lax Eight,' I owe you one.
Covering men's basketball was probably one of the best experiences I've had at UMass. It was a grueling and demanding beat, but all of those seemingly unnecessary previews and endless amounts of travel seemed to be worth it.
To Uncle Travis: I'm glad another pair of Collegian writers won't be subjected to waiting 45 minutes every Wednesday for interviews that were supposed to begin at 3:00 p.m. but were delayed since you were watching ESPN in your office. Though I did become pretty good at shifting through the insincere garbage you constantly spewed by the end of the season.
A special thanks goes out to Drew Lavender of Xavier for the most awkward press conference moment of the year. Remember to never ask an undersized point guard about an opponent, apparently. Maybe he would have been more agreeable had he smoked that jay that was probably in his pocket.
So how did the men's soccer team qualify for the College Cup again? Oh that's right, because Sam Koch is an amazing coach. Though I never actually wanted to make the trip to Cary, N.C., I still think we made the right choice to go. It just seemed like we had to support that band of underappreciated misfits that put together an incredible string of outstanding soccer. It would have made the trip a lot more enjoyable had the team knocked off Ohio State.
Only because it would have given us something meaningful to do instead of sit in a seedy hotel room for three straight days. Note to self: don't get stranded with Joe Meloni and Brian Tedder in a boring North Carolina suburb ever again. Damn you, car rental places. Thank god Taco Bell was in walking distance.
I learned far too much about the both of you.
Just remember coach, I was there on those September afternoons interviewing you after practice well before all those bandwagon reporters showed up from those 'big-time' newspapers.
That's right Matt Vautour; I'm regrettably surrendering my seat at Mullins, but at least I don't have to look at your giant head anymore. Oh, and please stop stealing our talent.
Ah yes, the men's basketball team, or as I like to refer to them: the team that refused to stop winning irrelevant games. Its run through the NIT was so irrelevant in fact that I referred to it as the 'National Invitational Tournament (it's actually 'Invitation') in every story I wrote. Or maybe that's just shoddy reporting; I'm not sure which…
I still can't believe how T-Ford parlayed an appearance in the NIT finals into a new job. Simply amazing. I appreciate how you lost in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament for the third-consecutive year and failed to make the NCAAs. I'm also glad we made the trip to Atlantic City for one worthless game; I appreciate it Travis. Some gambling time would have nice.
I thought the trip to North Carolina was unnecessary and overly expensive, that was nothing compared to all the traveling for basketball. Who thought we'd have to go the damn Carrier Dome twice in one season? Though, the impromptu trip to Nashville was fun (sorry for not telling you about that one, Eli).
I didn't know you strung for The Herald in Syracuse?? Why didn't you tell me??
For the most part those trips to BC and URI were enjoyable. It's a good test of your objectivity when the team you're covering goes on the road and beats its rival while fans chant expletives about your school in the background.
As for those Garber Gorillas, you didn't quite have the same season as basketball or soccer, but it was still an impressive performance overall considering the challenges that were overcome. Joe, I think you'd agree that we were both too burned out from basketball/hockey and more concerned about next year to do this beat justice.
How exactly did I go the whole season without interviewing a single player? I guess I have enough memorable Chris Lowe quotes to more than make up for it.
Little of this would have been possible without Brian Tedder, Collegian Chauffeur. I do appreciate you carting our asses across the eastern seaboard. And our stories would have looked terrible in the paper without being juxtaposed to your mediocre photography.
I expect big things from you next year.
Jeremy: It's just a shame that we didn't get around to taking more hockey road trips like we did last season. Though I bet that epic journey to Virginia with Eli was more traveling than you ever wanted to do.
You did a fine job leading the section this semester and weren't afraid to be critical of our work and keep us in line. You've survived some difficult times and are a stronger person for it.
Boom.
Connors: You owe me for abandoning Sports for greener pastures. Or I should say sorry for forcing you into that thankless position. I know it was worth it for you and that Mrs. Connors was sooo proud of you.
I'll be seeing you this summer for Euros 2008 - it'll be beeasssst kiiiiidddd.
Gamesies: I remember when you used to work for us. Good times. It's always good to have you around; you'll miss us once we're gone.
Eli: I'm glad you decided to stick around for another semester or two to officially lead the Sports section. You've got a good crop of assistants to work with, so it should be an exciting year.
We went through a lot this past year; everything from making constant trips to Syracuse and NYC to staking out the Mullins Center and accosting Luke Bonner for some information on T-Fizzies.
Speaking of Luke Bonner, what a basketball talent! It's too bad our podcasts were perpetually cut off because the world was deprived of a countless number of unnecessary insults.
And while we're on the topic of irrelevant players, nice Score feature about Matt Pennie, bt dubs.
Joe: Remember this, I made you. But seriously, you're entrusted with the success of the newsroom for next year and I praying your newfound importance won't go to your head.
We've come a long way since covering those swimming and diving teams as clueless journalists. And taking those trips to hockey away games and being obnoxious supporters with our Maroon and White colored goggles.
But what a job you've done. If only you cared as much about lacrosse as you did about Tootsies and the Mass Attack. If only you knew something about hockey or lacrosse. Though, you did carry that beat. I guess that's fine since I led the way in soccer.
Melissa, Ryan and Jeff: You guys (and gal) were hired for a reason. You have some big shows to fill and the challenge for you will be to maintain the ridiculously high standards of this section. Don't let the expectations get to you; just keep working hard and enjoy it.
To our young prospects: It was a pleasure working with all of you over the past two semesters. There was never a doubt that the Sports section had the most talented and consistent writers of any section and you guys proved that with your hard work. For those of you who'll be covering the top beats, enjoy it. It's a great opportunity and remember to have some fun along the way.
For everyone else: your time will come. Just keep working hard and improving and you'll get your chance. Don't get complacent (I'm looking at you, Brinch).
I suppose I should apologize for leaving you guys after one semester. I think ultimately it was a good move for all parties involved. Connors more than deserved the promotion and it was good for me to move on. This section is more of a well-oiled machine than anything else at this paper.
Looking back, I can't believe I invested that much time and effort to cover these teams -but I don't regret any minute of it.
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