After 50 years, it’s time to say goodbye

I’d wake up and convince myself I still have the drive of that first summer I showed up at 6 a.m. at the Fayetteville Observer with zero experience but a passion for high school sports.

 

Fast forward 50 years. I’m no longer a regular on the sidelines of games, scribbling play-by-play on a legal pad, then retreating to my car on deadline to add the stats and pound out a quick story. Or in a real pinch, dictating one off the top of my head from a phone booth next to a deserted football field.

 

I cover everything from afar now, relying on phone interviews and social media and the games streamed on the web to keep me connected.

 

After a few years pushing this technology envelope and trying to force my career as a full-time journalist into it, I realized I’m kidding myself.

 

Covering high school sports is a full-time job, not something you can do the right way with the limitations I have to deal with.

 

So it is time to make the official announcement that my days as a sports writer are over. Effective immediately I am stepping down from my role at CityView to move into what I hope will be an enjoyable and peaceful retirement.

 

I plan to stay connected to the world of high school sports. I’ll still be following teams and stars, but won’t be calling for interviews or writing stories. It’s time to put that part of my career behind me.

 

There are countless people to thank.

 

First, my dad, who worked in the business office with the late Ramon Yarborough at Yarborough Motor Company. When I showed an interest in writing, dad introduced me to Mr. Yarborough. Then publisher of the Observer, he took a chance on an untested kid and opened the door to my career in sports.

 

To my first sports editor, the late Howard Ward, who saw something in this youngster and helped bring him along.

 

To all the athletes and coaches over the years who let me tell their stories, even the ones who didn’t want to talk. Thanks for letting me share your experiences.

 

To my many co-workers through the years, who tolerated me lobbying for more high school coverage and helped keep me pointed in the right direction. I hope I listened and learned.

 

To Bill Bowman of Up&Coming Weekly and Tony Chavonne of CityView who both gave me the chance to continue writing after my full-time career at the Observer ended. Thanks for letting an old-timer keep the wheels turning when they were beginning to run out of grease.

 

Lastly, to all of my readers over the years, especially the ones who were kind enough to call or write about stories I wrote, thanks for your support.

 

So what am I going to do in full retirement?

 

Slow down a bit for one. I plan to continue my affiliation with the N.C. Coaches Association in Greensboro, an outstanding organization I’ve long enjoyed working with, as their social media coordinator.

 

In closing, I thank everyone who supported and enjoyed my work through the years. As I leave this job, I wish you all the best.