It’s too small.
Too close to home. Too conservative.
The above, coupled with the excitement of receiving my pre-acceptance into Mizzou journalism, were just a few of the reasons I initially ignored Terri Blake’s 184 recruiting phone calls and snail-mail as a high school senior.
A few months later, however, I broke my kneecap playing soccer. I missed my family and friends and wanted to come home. So I transferred here – the university I couldn’t be bothered with a mere four years ago.
Fast forward 48 months and I’m genuinely disgusted with my aforementioned narrow-mindedness. It’s funny; I never thought I would be the guy stalling at my computer on a Wednesday night – $2 margarita night at The Lodge for most of you – struggling to write my send-off column. I have an affinity for football, ribeye and women, so why am I carefully toeing this sappy line?
Because Baker is a special place, that’s why. The past four years in Baldwin City have shaped me in ways I never could have imagined. I’ve built friendships and memories that will last a lifetime – or whenever the Chiefs are good again.
Through it all a few things stand out more than others, so I will use the rest of my final column inches as the Baker Orange editor to share them.
At Baker I’ve learned from a couple of Lombardis. Gwyn Mellinger has been published in esteemed newspapers all over the country and Joe Watson has received two Emmy Awards. Those two, along with Dave Bostwick, who is king of his craft when it comes to online journalism, have given me everything I’ll ever need to succeed in my field. And for that, I’m thankful.
I out-kicked my coverage and landed a smart, beautiful girl who – poor thing – is yet to realize my calf muscles will always resemble a chicken’s and I will never stop playing video games.
I gained about 40 new brothers on the men’s soccer team – a large handful of whom will undoubtedly be in my wedding. I was able to ride their more-talented coattails all the way to the NAIA National Championships, and it was one of the most rewarding moments of my life.
On a semi-related but certainly more serious note, I was a two-time BU Intramural Champion, and have received the self-issued MVP game ball on more than one occasion.
I was a co-constructor of one of the greatest collegiate forts of all time. Perhaps it was a desperate stretch for my nearly expired youth, but the fort – which was totally not a fire hazard in the LLC – was a blast, and the three roommates who brainstormed its concept are gentlemen I would join in battle any day.
Finally, I had the privilege of being involved with what the state of Kansas deems one of its finest college newspapers. What’s more, I met and became close friends with a seriously talented editorial board. Thank you Amanda, Rachel, Lauren, Kyle, Margo, Jessica and Pat for making this year so memorable.
I’ll miss you all.
