A week from Saturday, my time at MSU will come to a close. During my four years at this university (spring 2009-spring 2013), I’ve served as a member of The Wichitan staff for three years. I started out writing news stories for an advanced news writing and reporting class and eventually transitioned to being a music reviewer in the fall of 2010, eventually taking over as A&E editor last fall.
As long as I can remember, I had a passion for the arts, and my ultimate goal was to become a Roger Ebert-like reviewer.
However, the fall of 2010 also brought on another transition for me. I started my part-time job at The Times Record News that semester, working the sports desk on Friday nights to help with football and basketball coverage by inputting game stats and writing short briefs over the games.
Andy Newberry, the assistant editor of the sports section, did me the biggest favor by taking a chance on me and letting me cover basketball during the 2011 season. Suddenly, my career aspirations changed, as my love of sports writing overtook my love of music and the arts.
Last fall, I took everything I learned from covering high school volleyball, football, basketball, softball and baseball and began covering the athletics programs here. This semester, I took over as sports editor and immediately went from covering sports on a game-by-game basis and started looking at the bigger picture.
I started looking past stats, records and championships, and discovered that behind the scenes, these sports are played, coached and organized by some of the most interesting people on this campus.
From a record-breaking running back, an alumni player transitioning to coaching here, a group of students that are up-and-running before most students are awake (some even stay up through the night working towards a nursing degree), to programs that have turned their culture around in a few short years and many more stories, I’ve seen first-hand how great these athletes and coaches are on and off the field.
I will admit that during my time at MSU, I haven’t always been proud to say that I went to school here for various reasons. However, covering the athletics department this past season, seeing all that its accomplished, and meeting and getting to know the players and coaches I have has shown me a side of this university that not many get to see.
It may have taken me four years to say this, but I’m beyond proud to be a Mustang, not only for the accomplishments of each team this season, but also because in heartbreak, disappointment and defeat, each and every one of the people involved with these programs have continued to stay humble, keep their heads held high and continue the good fight. If that’s not something to take pride in, I don’t know what is.
My only regret, as I prepare for graduation and what comes after, is that I would have realized all of this sooner. While my time as sports editor was short, it has provided me with enough experiences and memories to last a lifetime.
No matter where I go, what I do, or whoever I end up covering in the future, I’ll always be a Mustang, and I’ll continue to cheer on the Maroon and Gold no matter the circumstance.
