The Daily Collegian

Issue date: 5/13/08 Section: Sports

When I walked into the Collegian newsroom late last November, I must admit that I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But looking back on it now, it might have been one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. As a freshman and far away from home for pretty much the first time in my life, I found a sense of community and family immediately after working for the UMass collegiate newspaper. From advertising to graphics to sports to op/ed, everybody I have met and have gotten to know, thank you for taking me in, accepting me, and having faith in me. I have realized that being a sports editor for my high school newspaper and athlete that the sense of being part of a team is something I need in my life. It started out slow and boring, but once I got my first beat (women's lacrosse), I finally realized that this is what I want to do. I want to write. People say I ask a lot of questions, and this is true. But, people are interesting, and I think it is necessary to get their stories out there. Thanks to Jeremy, Eli, Kingsy and Joe for giving me the opportunity to write for such a great paper. Thank you for also not giving me the assistant sports editor job next year, because you are right, I am not quite ready for the position and the time commitment that goes along with it. Jeremy, you and I are completely different people, but you are a great teacher, writer and editor. Some things you did annoyed me and pissed me off, but I feel that I learned a lot from you. I also realized, especially from reading your column today, that everyone has their own shit, and too cut people a break from time to time. I had no idea, and can look back and see that you being hard on me came not out of malice, but that you were going through a rough spot in your life. You have reached out to me and have taught me some valuable lessons to take with me for the rest of my life. Good luck with ESPN, they are lucky to have you, but don't forget to not take yourself so seriously. Now that you are graduating, maybe you can express your true love for UMass athletics. Eli, I have never met anybody who has loved so many random teams from so many random states as you, but I think this is a great quality that you exemplify. You are also a great teacher, but an even bigger nerd for knowing how many doubles Juan Uribe has hit during afternoon home games with runners in scoring position. I was with you when you broke the story about Coach Kellogg coming to UMass, and I can honestly say that you have a knack for getting the scoop. I look forward to working for you next year. Also, try growing your hair out longer than two weeks, and get rid of the K-Swiss's and double XL t-shirts. You weigh as much as a 5th grade girl, but you are a great kid with a great heart. Kingsy, my fellow Central buddy. Your input and charm are what's best about you, and I know you will make a great Editor in Chief next year. Your resemblance to J-Mac is uncanny, but I doubt that you could hit six three pointers in four minutes. Meloni, this summer, I want you to only drink two iced coffees a day, and to cut back to a pack a week. You might want to join some type of gym or athletic facility. You are a great writer and a good editor, and I am also looking forward to working with you next year. Like Jeremy, you pissed me off at times his year, but I know that this did not come from a bad place. You are just mad that I am now the best dressed writer in the section, and that athletes are more attracted to me than you. Connors, your satirical humor is what I love about you. I know that you will always say something hilarious, not even trying to be funny. You are always down for a good time, and have been really generous to me. I am going to miss you, especially you being 21. Now I will have to resort to Games, who will never pick up my phone calls. Good luck in whatever you do, because I know you will live it up and enjoy whatever it is Games, I have never met a cockier person with no reason to be, but I love you all the same. Next year, I will take over your title as the best athlete in the sports section. Good luck with covering women's sports for the rest of your life. I know how much you love writing about the Minutewomen. Sam, Jeff and Ryan, I look forward to getting to know you better and working with you next year. Gillmeister and Melissa, it's been real working with you on women's lacrosse, and I am looking forward to covering more sports with you. Miller, you are a great kid, and cannot wait to work with you for three more years. Before I forget, Adam Szajgin, congratulations on graduating, you provided constant entertainment to me, as well as to the rest of the staff. I can't wait to see you on Comedy Central talking about how much Dane Cook sucks and how Carlos Mencia isn't really Mexican. I also want to thank my family and friends, Coach Alexis Venechanos and John Sinnett for being so accommodating. I want to also thank the athletes that I have talked to; you have been very nice to talk too. I want to thank you, the readers, because without you, this wouldn't be possible. Have a fun summer everybody, and I will see you next fall.

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