It’s hard to believe that nearly a year has passed since I walked across the stage at graduation. Honestly the entire four years I spent at Harding passed much too quickly. Life as a carefree college kid whose only worry was … well there really wasn’t too much to worry about … has evolved to life in the “real world.”
After receiving a degree in broadcast journalism last May, I accepted a position with KOSA, the local CBS affiliate in Midland/Odessa, Texas, as a sports reporter and weekend sports anchor. If you remember the movie “Friday Night Lights,” that’s where I am. Mojo is real and alive today. The rolling green hills of Arkansas have been replaced by the rattlesnake-infested desert where oil is king. It’s not at all unusual for monster tumbleweeds to fly past my windshield as I watch dust storms swirling all around. But I love it. The oil rigs and pump jacks are not only symbols of money in this part of the country, but symbols of beauty.
Having the opportunity to talk about sports has been my passion for a long time. It’s one of those jobs that doesn’t really feel like a job. I’m living among the gun-toting Texas Tech Red Raider fans who are ecstatic about what ammunition Kliff Kingsbury will bring to the wild west show. If you haven’t already realized it, everyone has a story.
There have been a handful of monster sports stories that have come and gone since my graduation, from Lance Armstrong admitting to using performance enhancing drugs to Johnny Manziel tearing up the college football scene. Manziel’s success came by surprise, unlike LeBron James, who has been the best all-around player in the NBA for the second straight season, making him a lock to win 2013 NBA MVP honors. Hate him or love him, make no mistake about it, you’re watching history.
But recently, the world of sports hasn’t been all about champions. Tragedy struck the 117th Boston Marathon Monday as two explosions near the finish line killed at least three and injured more than 180 people. It’s been amazing to see the outpouring of love and support for the great city of Boston. The love didn’t stop at first responders, President Obama and celebrities. In a heart-warming and never-before-seen display of honor, respect and support, sports teams around the nation threw aside their competition bravado and opened up their stadiums, cleats, baseball bats and hockey sticks to Boston.
Now to those of you that actually decided to read this column, keep it real, be nice to one another and enjoy your time as a college kid. Because this moment in your life won’t come around twice. So live it up.
