John ClaytonAssistant sports editor, fall 2007/spring 2008Sports editor, fall 2008

It’s been a long four months. I knew this job would be a lot of work, but I never realized the sheer amount of minutiae involved until I actually took over. There’s so much that goes into putting a section together. These last four months have given me such an appreciation for everybody who has done this job before me.

I knew when I became an assistant this was something I wanted to do. I don’t regret my decision for a second. It was an honor to represent this newspaper and this section. I just hope I did an OK job.

Thanks to everybody at 744 Ostrom. It’s been a fun ride. Unemployment, here I come…

ZB: I still remember when you gave me a read on my first story. The Hamill sisters. Seems so long ago. You gave me my start – got me my first internship. I always admired your passion and your ability to see every angle. I know you’ll go as far in this business as you want to.

Ethan: The other half of the Big Two. I remember when you sent me an e-mail complimenting some national story I did (Winthrop, maybe?). It was something small, but coming from you, it really motivated me. I only wish I’d started writing as a freshman so I could have worked with you when you ran the section.

Gelb: Filling your shoes wasn’t easy. Hopefully I did an alright job. Everything I know about being an editor I learned from you. I took in a lot from you in that year in the office, even if you didn’t realize you were teaching me. Thanks.

Schonbrun: Still the best writer on this campus. Thanks for bailing us out when those A1s fell through. I still don’t know what you want to do when you graduate, but I pray you end up writing somewhere, somehow. You’re too good not to. See you at Media Cup.

Austin: I’m glad to know the section is in good hands. You’ll do great. Plan as much as possible and delegate whenever you can. You’re going to have a great support system around you. Take advantage of it. I’ll be around, too, if you ever need a hand.

Diamond: The road warriors, baby. Chicago and South Bend, two of my favorite trips. You still owe me a round of the $2 game. You have a bright future, but don’t be afraid to challenge yourself in the coming weeks and months. Take over that basketball beat – report the hell out of it. And take the heat off Kyle whenever you get the chance.

Bonner: Your mustache is crooked! I remember semi-drunkenly ambling up to you and advising you to apply for a spot in the office last spring. I’m glad I did. Hopefully I might have helped convince you to look into the print biz when you graduate. Either way, I’ll be watching through the videoscope. Yeah!

Dunne: You know how I feel about your writing. It almost rivals your Britney Spears karaoke skills. You have all the tools, but you know that. Keep being a reporter – I know you’ll own that lax beat. It’s been a fun semester – thanks for sticking it out with me. Keep in touch, my man.

Eazy-E: You’ve shown a lot this semester, and I don’t mean your rapping skills. You have the instincts, now you need to fine-tune your skills. Read a book written by somebody other than Tom Coughlin. You have a bright future. I’ll get you that six-pack at some point. I won’t buy Molson Canadian, though. Meredith: You care as much about this section as anybody in that office. Don’t think that goes unnoticed. Keep working hard. And read, read, read. Now that you’re free from Big East, take this semester to focus on your writing.

Joey: You jump-started the evolution. Not to mention my eventual broadcast career. Thanks for that.

Wei: Football guide, woot!

Conroy: My mac heds will never be up to your standards.

Tahmosh: Your record’s going down Friday. Twenty-six seconds, here I come.

Levin: Hope you enjoyed London. The office wasn’t as fun at 3 a.m. without you.

Doc: It’s been a pleasure. I just wish I could stick it out for a full year. Trust your instincts, and never back down. This paper is going to do great things under your watch. I’m excited to see them happen. I’d like to think we’ll cross paths in the future. I just hope it’s not in, like, Oman or something.

Erinn: I know you’re the managing editor and everything, but you should write more often. You’re pretty damn good at it.

Andy: I don’t need to boost your ego anymore, so I won’t get into your writing skills. All I’ll say is I’m looking forward to that first book you write, whenever that ends up being. You’re a good friend. I’m sorry for cutting out all the good stuff in your stories.

820/864: It’s all about the B-hoys. I’m sorry for the cookouts and flip nights I missed. Thanks for sticking with me. I’ll be around next semester. Hopefully we can make up for lost time. At the very least, I want another shot at No. 18 on Drumlins.

Mom and Dad: Thanks for supporting me through it all and not freaking out when I went AWOL for weeks at a time this semester. Everything I’ve accomplished I owe to you two. Hopefully I can keep making you proud.

Phillies: Thank you.

Jaimie: The best part of working here was meeting you. I remember one night toward the end of our sophomore year. You asked me to meet you outside DellPlain, and you told me a secret: I’d been picked as an assistant sports editor. I picked you up and hugged you and spun you around. I think we already knew we had something special. We’ve shared a lot of incredible moments since then. I have a feeling we have a lot more left. Thanks for keeping me sane this semester – I couldn’t have done this without you. I love you.

Published on December 3, 2008 at 12:00 pm