Goodbye College

As I set in a crowded lecture hall last night marking the answers in my management 3000 test, it hit me. This would be the last time I have to fill in these ridiculous bubbles. I realized I was in the middle of my last college test.

I look back at my college career that ends in a week and remember the fun times, the occasional bad times, and what I have learned in my time at the University of Missouri.
I remember some of the more important advice that i received in the last three and a half years in Columbia.

One piece of advice I remember came from Greeley Kyle: "Don't try to hard to hit home runs because you usually strike out." I realize now the importance of this lesson. This lesson, like so many others, I learned the hard way when I was arrested for trying to get better shots in a story about a rollover accident on I-70. I ran across the highway after authorities disguised in jeans and T-shirt instructed me not to do so. I thought better shots awaited me on the other side of the highway but I could have gotten a great story if I stayed put. Instead, I spent the rest of that morning in a holding cell and lost a story. I had struck out.

The above story fits the mold of those bad experiences, but now I look back at it and laugh. I do the same with most of the other horror stories I have from reporting, and from pledging a fraternity.

There were also some great times including sporting events like, the basketball game against Kansas in 2009 and the Oklahoma game this year. I also made a ton of friends and enjoyed the little free time I had as a student. Unlike some, I will not pretend I did not party in my college days. In fact the ability to relax and enjoy my weekends is the only way I survived the challenging convergence reporting class. I made friends that will last a lifetime. This partying was only in moderation and did not interfere with any of my other obligations, which is exactly as it should be.

As a journalist, there have been a lot of excellent times too. I was courtside the Big 12 men's basketball tournament in Oklahoma City with 4 friends. I got be on the sidelines for the above mentioned Oklahoma game and interviewed an idol of mine in Chris Fowler. I did play-by-play for NCAA regional games for both soccer and softball. I traveled with the volleyball team to do play-by-play for them for three seasons. However, one of the best times I had reporting was covering a Moberly High School soccer game. The people were great and the game gave me a new appreciation for soccer.I also had an excellent experience reporting a news story in Mexico, Missouri. The story was about a dangerous train track that had two feet of clearance for the train on either side of the tracks. The people I interviewed were incredibly kind, and I spent an hour having a conversation with them. The people of Mexico, Missouri impressed me with their kindness once more when I covered the Miss Missouri pageant. The people of Mexico, Missouri are the nicest I have met anywhere.


I enjoyed my reporting experiences, my social experiences,and almost all my other experiences. My time at the University of Missouri will always be three and a half years of fond memories.

Troy Tulowitzki: The New Face of Denver Sports

The Rockies mega contract with Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki proved two things to Colorado fans: The Rockies are finally willing to spend money on a high quality player to win a title and Troy Tulowitzki is now the face of Denver sports. Colorado has searched for its main sports hero since John Elway retired after Super Bowl XXXIII.

Early this decade the main athlete in Colorado sports could be debated as Avalanche captain Joe Sakic led his team to a cup, Todd Helton had the Rockies on his back, and Carmelo Anthony resurrected the Nuggets franchise. All of these players were the face of their respective franchises, but none quite reached the status of the face of Denver.

Tulo has the personality, dedication, and style for the job. He grows a mullet and has "Party in the U.S.A as his walkup music. On the field, however, he is all business on the field. He is the best shortstop in baseball, after winning the golden glove and silver slugger awards this past season. He finished 5th in the MVP vote two years in a row. He hits for power, runs well, and has a cannon of an arm. He truly is a five tool player. He is leader.

Since the contract signing Rockies reporter Troy Renck's ever active twitter talked about Tulo's new plans now that he is here to stay. This includes starting his own charity organizations and moving to the city full time. All things that show he is now a Coloradoan at heart.

All Colorado fans have read the reports about him idolizing Cal Ripken Jr. and how he wanted to be like Cal playing for one franchise throughout his career. While he may not have Cal's durability, ( He already had several DL stints in his young career) his new contract guarantees that like Elway he will be in Denver for a long time.