Goodbyes are hard to make

I’ve never been good with goodbyes whether by writing it or saying it. So instead, I’ll stick to what I am good at and tell the story straight.
This is my final column for The Digest—as sports editor, that is.
That’s three years worth of Digest stories and columns, along with over 30 articles published in The Advocate. Not to mention countless hours spent in front of my laptop.
During my time here, I’ve covered the Southwestern Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament, three Bayou Classics, the tennis teams’ undefeated season a year ago and have been selected to three internship programs.
Looking back on it all, it’s clear it was worth every second. But all good things must come to an end—and it’s time.
After this my busy, yet eventful summer begins. First, it’s off to New Orleans and The New York Times Institute at Dillard University. Then to Tampa, Fla., to spend two weeks at The Poynter Institute participating in the Sport Journalism Institute’s class of 2009. Then, I’m off to Houston where I will be covering the Astros and Texans for The Houston Chronicle.
Finally, it’s back to Southern in the fall to finish my last 15 credit hours and partake in the last walk that is graduation.
Over the last three years I’ve been in gyms, football stadiums and press boxes that I never would have dreamed. I’ve attended conferences across the country I never thought I’d attend. I’ve met coaches, players, ex-players and media people I never thought I would have met.
I also had a chance to watch the likes of Jackson State’s Trey Johnson and Alcorn’s Lee Robinson, two of the best athletes in recent SWAC history.
At Southern I’ve witnessed the highs of solid tennis, bowling, softball, baseball and football seasons, and have seen the lows of losing basketball seasons while on the beat.
I also learned a lot.
To all my professors and advisors I met along the way (special shout out to Chris and Fred, my best and most memorable work was published under you), thank you for always being there when I needed your advice and helping me refine my writing skills.
To all of my fellow writers and editors I met while interning or working at The Advocate, thank you. I picked up a lot of good work habits from you all and learned to get rid of the bad ones.
To all of my friends, thank you for four memorable years.
To all of the players, coaches, athletic directors and sports information directors of the world, thank you for giving me what I needed to pen those stories.
Without you all, this wouldn’t have been possible.
Thank you all for this great run of education, sports, awards and internships that was my college career as a journalist.
Goodbye!