Time to say goodbye ... and thank you
When I was age 5, I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up. Be a major league baseball player or a sports writer.
I loved the feel and smell of a newspaper nearly as much as gripping a baseball.
Fortunately, my family, friends and community put me in position to chase both dreams. So did Eisenhower High School and Lewis University.
An elbow injury while pitching in the New York Mets organization put an end to making it to the big leagues.
When that door closed, however, the opportunity to be a sports writer at a newspaper swung open.
My first day at The Star in Chicago Heights was Jan. 30, 1990.
My last day at the Daily Southtown will be Friday.
Tribune Publishing, which owns the Daily Southtown, offered me and many others a buyout.
I’m taking it.
A few weeks ago, when a hedge fund took ownership of this newspaper, the writing — pardon the pun — was on the wall.
At least for me.
After 31 years, it’s time to pursue other opportunities.
But not before I reflect on this amazing journey, much of which I have you, the reader, to thank.
You spent valuable time reading what I’ve written, and I never took that for granted. It was a blessing and an honor to try and satisfy your insatiable appetite for local sports.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
In turn, I never took the responsibility as a local sports writer and columnist for granted.
I strove to educate, inform and entertain you. To make you laugh and maybe shed a few tears. To be the mouthpiece for fans and student-athletes.
It’s a career that has afforded me the chance to cover some of the greatest high school athletes and teams this talent-rich state has produced.
Cliff Floyd, Antwaan Randle El, Mark Mulder, Rick Gorecki, Tai Streets, Antoine Walker, Donovan McNabb, Nick Trzesniak, Garrett Jones, Dwyane Wade, Carmen Pignatiello, Max Strus, Mark Payton, Laquon Treadwell, Tevin Coleman, Tyler Ulis, Sam Travis and Alek Thomas among many, many more.
Out of the thousands of games I covered, four stand out.
I’ll never forget the roar of the crowd in Eisenhower’s gym when the Cardinals’ Drennon Jones threw down a doublepump reverse dunk in the final minute of a back-and-forth win over Thornridge in a 1990 sectional championship game. I thought the place was going to explode.
Then there was the night when quarterback Zak Kustok faced Lincoln-Way after transferring to Sandburg months earlier. Lincoln-Way fans considered Kustok public enemy No. 1 and came out in full force, massive banners in hand, to let him know it. It was equal parts “Animal House” and Michigan vs. Ohio State. Kustok got the last laugh by leading the Eagles to victory.
I never had my emotions get the best of me during an interview until talking to Lemont pitcher Garrett Acton after he guided the Indians to the 2016 Class 3A state title months after his father had died. In spite of the grief and sorrow, Acton found the strength to persevere. It was heroic.
My favorite moment, however, was when Wade chartered an airplane from Miami to Peoria on the night Richards’ boys basketball team was playing in the 2007-08 Class 4A state championship game. When Wade and his entourage were spotted heading to their seats inside Carver Arena, a massive buzz engulfed the crowd. “Could that really be D-Wade?” It was an unparalleled show of support from an alumnus to his alma mater. And, yes, the Bulldogs won.
It has been a privilege to witness it all.
I couldn’t have done it without the support of editors such as Alan Macey, who gave me with the freedom and encouragement to express myself in words.
Or Phil Arvia, who demanded I bring my A-game every day.
Or my current sports editor, Bill Scheibe, who opened my eyes to different ways of storytelling.
A time or three, my words — and passion — didn’t sit well with folks.
I was banned from Sandburg’s sidelines for one season for questioning the coaching staff ’s play-calling. Fractured a handful of friendships by supporting an Eisenhower student-athlete who was cut from his team. Can I get one of those “Buck Fato” T-shirts? And I was called a “coward” by a former Andrew football coach. But you know what?
As the voice of the community, I strove to make sure student-athletes were given the same opportunities to maximize their high school sports experience as I did when I was in their spikes.
Lifelong memories don’t come easy.
I’m going to miss the coaches and athletic directors who made my job easier.
So what’s next?
I have no idea, which is exciting and makes me feel somewhat uneasy.
I intend to host at least one more season of “The Coach’s Corner Show.” So I’ll remain in the game, so to speak.
Maybe I’ll be serving you coffee at some diner or a frosty beverage at your favorite watering hole — please tip generously.
Maybe I’ll be delivering your pizza.
What I won’t be doing is delivering your newspaper — that’s hard work.
Maybe I’ll be punching in for a 9-to-5 desk job.
Or I may continue to write. I’m a free agent and open to all offers.
But this buyout affords me the opportunity to enjoy time with my remarkable wife and precious daughter and figure out what’s next.
Whatever that is, please support this newspaper and local journalism.
And who knows? I may have a fastball or two left in me.