From the Editor: Return to sports writing has been rewarding

January 1, 2019 | 12:03 am

Updated December 31, 2018 | 11:17 pm

Illustration by The Owensboro Times

Six months ago, I spent most days sweating through my shirt and tie as I walked the parking lot selling cars. I wasn’t an all-star, but I did well enough to pay the bills and live comfortably.

I didn’t hate my job, but I didn’t love it, either. It was just that — a job.

It was definitely a far cry from the few years I had spent as a sports journalist covering Murray State University athletics, at times traveling the country to follow their basketball team during a few of their most prolific seasons.

I certainly missed sports writing, but I wasn’t necessarily looking to leave my (relatively) stable job. The original plan wasn’t even to join The Owensboro Times staff full time, but a mixture of luck and passion for writing landed me the position of Sports Editor.

It’s hard to describe the mix of nervousness, excitement and fear that overwhelmed me once I made the decision to embark on this new adventure.

Sure, covering sports is what I love to do. I had the full support of my wife and I totally trusted the people I was coming on board with, but there’s still that little voice asking “What if you fail?”

I generally don’t like to take big risks, and joining a new business at the time of launch is about as big as it gets. With most of my life ahead of me, I decided to take the jump. So far, it’s been rewarding every step of the way.

Starting at the time we did (Aug. 2), I was already behind the 8-ball in being prepared to cover the vastness of sports in the Owensboro area.

For the last five months — with a handful of days as exceptions — I’ve worked seven days a week nearly around the clock, trying to provide the most complete, local coverage possible.

I don’t do it for the recognition. I do it because I love what I do, and because it’s what I would want as a member of the community.

So far, my encounters with the readership has been nothing but great, and I hope it can stay that way. I’ve met parents on the golf course and soccer fields that take the time to stop and show their appreciation of the coverage. Coaches and players have expressed gratitude for some of the pieces I’ve done.

Each week I learn more about the community (I’m from a small town of about 1,000 people in Tennessee), and I see how much more there is going on than I even could have imagined. As our staff and resources continue to grow, I hope to keep reaching out and widening our coverage.

As the new year begins, I want to simply say thank you to all those who have read my work even once, and especially to those who subscribe and read often.

January 1, 2019 | 12:03 am

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