I am currently writing this column from 30,000 feet in the air. It’s a rare occasion for me to travel and as I am floating above the clouds I am feeling slightly nostalgic.
I am on a trip to visit the New York Times for training for new editors-in-chief. For those readers that have not heard, I have been selected to be the one to fill the extremely large shoes Andrea Whatcott leaves behind. I am truly humbled to be in this position and look forward to assembling a capable staff to keep this publication headed in the right direction.
Anyway, the nostalgia kicks in for me with sports. Even though my efforts will be divided between all sections of the paper, sports has been and always will be a passion of mine. Last summer, I was recruited out of my English class by our sports editor Matt Peterson. Shortly after a few assignments I took on the role of his assistant.
I began by covering the Orem Owlz, which will always be my conversion into the realm of journalism. Covering coach Tom Kotchman was the best prep I could have ever gotten as I dove headfirst into the interviewer/interviewee role. That experience helped me to be prepared for our fiery mens basketball coach, Dick Hunsaker. Not to mention the most easygoing and accessible coach I have dealt with, women’s soccer coach Brent Anderson.
I couldn’t in good conscience write this column without a shout out to our awesome Sports Information Director, Clint Burgi. His help was invaluable in setting up interviews and just being the go-to guy for anything and everything Wolverine sports-related.
The experience I have gained as I jumped into this arena of journalism could never be understated. The relationships developed will always be something that I will cherish and I look forward to continuing building upon.
There has been so much that happened this year in sports for all our teams and it has been a joy to be a part of it. The beauty of life is that you never know where you’ll end up until you get there.
A couple of years ago I was a teller and new accounts representative at a bank feeling kind of stuck. Then I get swept up into sports and find a part time job writing sports for the Daily Herald as well as for the UVU Review. And now I have a lot of work to do as I take on this new challenge of editor-in-chief.
Being the sports nut that I am, I always find a connection in life with something that has happened in the realm of athletics. In the most minute way possible I feel a strong connection to Kurt Warner. He went from bagging groceries to a being Super Bowl champion and an MVP. I know it’s on a much smaller scale, but a year ago I was floating not knowing where to go or what to do. It’s amazing how something can reach our and grab you and suck you into what you are meant to do.
One thing I have learned from sports is to never give up. If there is anything we can take away from all the negativity that surrounds professional sports it’s that even when you’re down and out you can always make your way back.
So for all you sports nuts out there, don’t just watch the games. Learn the lessons. Keep your eyes open and look for the good in every situation. When applied properly it’s not just the players that gain from what they do. They aren’t role models. We create our own reality and just take everything with a grain of salt, then look for the good.
Take a quick personal inventory. Does sports give you heartburn or do you treat it as a learning experience?
Shoot for education and application.
By Jonathan Boldt
Sports Writer
Jonathan Boldt can be reached at jonboldt@gmail.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @jboldt24.
Note: Staff applications for editorial, design and all other positions for the 2012-13 school year are still being accepted. The cut-off date is Wednesday, April 16. Tuition waivers are available for the majority of positions. Interviews will be conducted shortly after the application deadline.
