The Observer, April 27, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 26
A fond farewell from the sports desk
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After writing thousands of words of sports content, writing countless more of headlines and captions, and editing over a hundred pages worth of sports section, the Rick Balazs era as sports editor of The Observer comes to an end today.
My first-ever byline appeared in this newspaper on August 22, 2003. I was a freshman, classes hadn't started yet, and I wondered if my column would even make it to print. I was thrilled to see it in the paper that Friday. In that first column, I wrote how Browns coach Butch Davis should anoint Kelly Holcomb the starter at quarterback over incumbent Tim Couch. By the end of the 2006 season, all three were out of the NFL.
I wrote another column that first year about how the Indians should move Gold Glove shortstop Omar Vizquel to second base to compensate for his weak throwing arm. Vizquel has since moved onto San Francisco where he has won two more Gold Gloves, at shortstop.
Sophomore year, my first as sports editor, was the most difficult, simply because the varsity athletic teams became nomadic. Due to the construction of the Village at 115 and preparation for the vice presidential debate, the varsity teams played most of their games on the road that year. Having home games and practice sites taken away must have been frustrating for them. It wasn't any easier in the newsroom. Without having photos from games or being able to attend them, editing the sports section became a chore. After one year, I thought about giving up the job.
Thankfully, I didn't, because these last two years as sports editor have been an absolute blast. Meeting and getting to know many of the coaches and athletes gave me a new appreciation of athletics at Case. I have been fortunate to work with coaches who are so friendly and generous with their time, while the players continue to inspire me with their performance on the field and in the classroom.
Working as sports editor also opened many doors for me. Writing those first columns as a freshman, I never thought I would later become a public address announcer for basketball games or Case baseball games at Jacobs Field. Playing at Jacobs Field surely was a thrill for the baseball players, but hearing your voice echo throughout the stadium is not a bad feeling either. Contributing to radio broadcasts and covering a few Indians games from the Jacobs Field press box provided even more excitement for me.
I have sports information director Creg Jantz to thank for many of these opportunities. Creg saw an ability in me to perform these duties that I did not see in myself at the time. I am glad that he did, because they provided me with many of the most rewarding and memorable experiences I have had at Case.
I would be remiss not to thank Dave Pearson as well. Dr. Pearson has been the professor for two of my accounting classes and also a true mentor and friend whose advice I have sought countless times. I am very lucky to have had two mentors like Creg and Dr. Pearson, who have helped guide me through the often confusing experience that is a college career.
Looking back at these memories, I am amazed to realize how much can change in four years. I remember hating college during my first two years. I could not seem to find my niche, and I considered transferring. Fortunately, I now consider my college experience to be a rewarding and fulfilling one. If there is one thing that I have learned at Case, it is to keep an open mind, because life often does not turn out as expected.
My favorite piece that I ever wrote for The Observer was a column on the passing of legendary Cleveland sportswriter Hal Lebovitz. His Sunday column, so informative and well-written, was a Cleveland sports fan's delight. He ended each column with the phrase, "See you somewhere, I hope."
I like that ending as I finish my tenure as sports editor and as a student at Case for two reasons. First, I hope that I stay in touch with the friends that I have made while we go our separate ways. Second, with the uncertainty that life brings, hope is the one constant that we can always have, as long as we choose to have it. No one knows what the future will bring. All that we can do is work as hard as possible to make it a good one and hope that it will turn out well.
I hope that you have enjoyed the sports section these last three years. I have immensely enjoyed bringing it to you and will miss having my Wednesday afternoons consumed by editing content and finding photos. Hopefully I will find something as enjoyable to fill my Wednesday afternoons soon with soon.
In the meantime, see you somewhere, I hope.
