This is the column I never wanted to write.
I don’t mean that in the sense of, “I’ve got nothing for this week’s column,†which is a common utterance around the newsroom. It seems like there’s always plenty to write about on the week it’s not your turn in the rotation, and invariably nothing when your name comes up.
No, this is the column I never thought I would write.
That’s because this will be my farewell column, as Tuesday will mark my last day at the News Tribune after more than 22 years of service.
I’ll actually be bidding farewell to newspapers as a whole, as I’m taking a job outside of the industry thanks in part to an offer I couldn’t refuse. I’ll be heading well outside my comfort zone, especially when you consider the 22 years here were preceded by four years of service at my college newspaper and four years before that at my high school paper.
When I started out with the News Tribune, I was not long out of college and had the feeling this might be just a stop on my eventual way back to my hometown of Davenport, Iowa.
But a funny thing happened along the way. This became my home, in more ways than one. Jefferson City became a place where I wanted to stay and the News Tribune became a place I didn’t want to leave.
So I spent the next 22 years here, chronicling the fortunes of a variety of teams and a vast array of coaches. I won’t try to mention any of them, but rest assured I will remember fondly several different players, coaches and teams that made it fun to come to work.
While those teams change yearly and the players almost as frequently, it’s the coaches who I’ve drawn some solace from lately.
I’m going to hate leaving this job, as I’ve always felt I’ve been blessed to be paid to be a sportswriter. And yet I’m leaving, and it’s been a hard decision. So I’ve drawn inspiration by looking at the many coaches I’ve seen depart during my tenure, thinking certain ones of them would never leave, only to do just that. I guess it’s like they say, all good things must come to an end.
But before they do end, a few last observations.
The News Tribune has been a great place to work for, and I’ve had so much fun with so many of the people I’ve worked with.
Some of them are gone, having left for a variety of reasons, but all are missed. It was especially hard to say goodbye to certain ones, and the paper has suffered for their leaving.
Some of them are still here, with one in particular meriting mention.
Tom Rackers has been a superb boss to work for. Tom is not only one of the smartest sportswriters around, but one of the smartest people you’ll meet. The intellectually stimulating conversations we’ve had throughout the years have kept me engaged and entertained for the entirety of my stay. Sometimes they’ve had to do with sports, sometimes not at all, ranging far afield. That will be the thing I will miss the most, having conversations that made me try to be smart and witty, because you knew Tom was going to be exactly that.
Finally, I’m going to close by making an appeal.
This newspaper is a great product, one I’ve been proud to have been a part of for more than two decades. I can say in all honesty what you get for 50 cents daily and $1.25 on Sundays is a bargain. In fact, I’m putting my money where my mouth is. The day I walk out of here, I’m going to become a subscriber.
It’s been a pleasure to help this fine paper bring you the news, and it’s been great to work ina place that cares about sports as passionately as this place.
Thanks for reading throughout the years.