Looking back on my four years at LSU, I often question some of the things I have done and the decisions I have made. Sometimes I wish I had never made a certain decision, while other times I wish I had chosen differently.
But when it comes to working at The Reveille and covering LSU athletics, that is a decision I will never think about twice.
I know better than anyone how lucky I have been over the last seven semesters — dating back to the Spring of 2001 — to sit and watch ballgames and talk to athletes and get paid to do it.
Over that time, I have gotten to go to events such as the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., and the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans to watch LSU play for the BCS National Championship.
I have gotten to know LSU athletes who have gone on to play professionally in the NFL, NBA, WNBA and Major League Baseball.
I’ve had the joy of covering coaching living legends in their sports such as Skip Bertman and Sue Gunter and also rising stars in Smoke Laval and Pokey Chatman.
And also, I’ve gotten to cover coaches at the top of their game like Nick Saban, whose Tigers did something I never thought possible when I stepped on this campus nearly four years ago — win a national championship.
Not many 22-year-old aspiring journalists can say that.
I had my first byline appear in The Reveille on Jan. 16, 2001, during my freshman year, and seeing my name by a story in the sports pages sent chills down my spine.
Nearly four years and more stories than I can count later on May 7, 2004, I am seeing my byline appear for the last time in The Reveille. But even after all these years, I still get the same feeling I did the first time I ever saw my name in the paper.
God has truly blessed my life in my four years, not only in what I’ve been able to cover as a journalist, but in the people I have come in contact with while doing it.
Like everyone who comes to college, I’ve met some truly amazing people at LSU and formed some precious friendships I will carry in my heart forever. I only hope I mean as much to them as they do to me.
I’m not sure how I will be remembered or if my words on The Reveille sports pages will be missed when I am gone, but I know I will truly miss writing those words and will never forget my experiences as a student journalist or a student at LSU.
Congratulations seniors, good luck on finals, Geaux Tigers and take care everybody. I’m out.