Well ladies and gentlemen, the time has come.
This will be the last Yorkton This Week sports section that I will be a part of, as I have officially accepted a job in Regina (or rather, White City) so that I can finally be with my beautiful and loving fianc茅e Kayla full-time.
I can remember the very first newspaper that I was a part of. It contained a pair of high school awards banquets, a Mauler game and some high school basketball back in December of 2013.
I can also tell you that I was nervous.
I grew up reading the Yorkton This Week sports section, and then all of a sudden (after two years of university) I was writing it. I knew I couldn鈥檛 afford to screw up, and I hope that I didn鈥檛. Hopefully all of you have appreciated what I鈥檝e done here over the last couple of years and enjoyed reading the words that flowed out of by brain, through my hands and onto the pages. Lord knows I enjoyed writing every single one.
Honestly, I can say this is the best job I鈥檝e ever had, and probably one of the best I鈥檒l ever have. I love sports.
For over two-and-a-half years I had the privilege and honour to not only watch a plethora of minor sports, but to write about them and call it a job (is it really a job when you love doing what you鈥檙e doing?).
I got paid to watch sports. How sweet is that?
Because of this job I鈥檝e also been able to meet a ton of people that I鈥檓 honestly incredibly lucky to meet.
People like coach Jason Boyda, who would walk through hell and back wearing a gasoline covered suit just to help a local football player improve his game.
Guys like Tony Black, Stefan Bymak, Graham Garrett, Kevin Rawlick, etc., all who not only care about minor sports, but the kids they coach and groom to become great men (Note: there are simply too many people to name).
I鈥檝e also been honoured to speak to so many local athletes 鈥� youth especially 鈥� that have such a great future in their respective sports. Tyson Black (baseball), Caleb Bymak (football), Matt Mandziuk (basketball/football), Madison Neufeld (synchronized swimming), Carson Miller (hockey), Brett Kemp (hockey), Chace Sperling (female hockey), etc. All of them have a great chance at playing professional and Olympic sports if they want to.
I鈥檝e also been able to attend so many different kinds of sports. Sure, there was the usual hockey, baseball, football and soccer games that I was able to attend; however, there was also bowling, synchronized swimming, tennis, monster truck rallies, professional wrestling, taekwondo, etc. that I had the honour of covering.
The coworkers, too, have been great. Thom, Calvin, Devin, Neil, all have been helpful over the years. Many laughs were shared and many discussions were had. Several others have saved my bacon on at least one occasion. People like Debbie Barr and Wayne Remanda 鈥� two people who don鈥檛 get recognized that much in the newspaper 鈥� have been invaluable. Without these two, there really would be no newspaper. That goes for everyone in the office of course, but for them especially for what they do on a weekly basis.
To end, I sincerely hope you all enjoyed what I鈥檝e done since the beginning of December 2013. I absolutely loved doing it. The memories I made are cherished and the people I鈥檝e met are simply amazing.
Thank you, Yorkton. You鈥檝e been great.
