Did you read the “Your Turn” this past week? You know the one that wondered how it was possible for me to cover Marion High School athletics while also coaching the C-team girls’ team?
Phrases like “conflict of interest” and “having enough time” were thrown around, and the anonymous “writer” couldn’t even refer to me by my name. Instead, I was “the sports editor.”
However, this is not an attempt to defend myself.
I have the people behind me that matter, and that is all I need.
It did, however, get me thinking about what a unique opportunity I have been given.
How many sports writers also can call themselves coaches?
When I moved here almost five years ago, I didn’t know a single person.
A marriage and two kids later, I now joke that I am related to half of the town.
All kidding aside, I have immersed myself in this small-town-I-had-never-heard-of-before-locating-it-on-a-map, after I saw an advertisement for a sports writer position, because it has become my home.
Only because nearly everyone here has allowed for it to become my home.
During the years, I have written about hundreds of residents, from athletes to dogs.
I’ve been able to chronicle sporting events of the past five seasons that have included some good, hard working athletes.
I’ve written about the time I went fishing on Marion Reservoir with Warren Kruetzinger, interviewed an entire debate team at the same time, and played golf so bad with a pair of MHS siblings, my clubs wanted to throw me into the water.
I’ve dealt with dozens of USD 408 teachers and administrators, and can’t remember a problem with any of them. Three high school and two elementary principals have walked the halls during my tenure here.
Coaches have come and gone, and I have been able to interview all of them.
Five classes of student-athletes have come through since my first day, and I’ve done my best to learn their names; or at least recognize their faces.
In other words I’ve gone from not knowing a single thing about Marion, to wanting to know more every day.
Coaching always has been something I have been interested in, and after stints in Marion REC T-ball, baseball, and basketball, I have now been given the opportunity to coach high school athletes I have enjoyed writing about the past few years.
I’m only three weeks and one game in to my first tenure as an assistant, but at least I haven’t done anything to mess it up (yet).
I was able to experience all of these things because working at a small-town newspaper is a unique opportunity, but also because nearly everyone in Marion graciously welcomed me to their community when I was an outsider five years ago.
Now, as a coach at MHS, I am able to experience yet another facet of this great community while enjoying myself at the same time.
I have a wonderful, supportive family, am part of a great community, and my jobs involve working with sports and talented youth at the same time.
I can’t complain.