By Anthony Gannon
Sports Editor
Every semester at the Bona Venture, editors are added to the staff to take their turn at the job. After three on the job, it’s my turn to step down from sports editor and pass the torch on. Since joining the staff of The BV a couple of weeks into freshman fall semester, it’s been nothing but sports-writing, quad-weekly meetings, the expected late nights and the unexpected late mornings thanks to the late nights.
Like any beginner, I began covering tennis, soccer and swimming of both the men’s and women’s varieties. In the second semester of freshman year, I was lucky enough to be chosen as the beat writer for the baseball team. It’s one of the most enjoyable teams to cover thanks to the gruffness and unfiltered honesty of Coach Larry Sudbrook. One day you’ll get that indoor baseball field you’ve been asking for for 25 plus years. Maybe the Strategic Athletic Plan can find room.
Toward the end of that semester, the editors thought I could handle the rigors of joining their staff, and I humbly accepted. First semester sophomore year, I was given the beat for the women’s basketball team, and I watched in awe as Jim Crowley led the Bonnies marching to the South and the NCAA Tournament.
This semester, as BV Sports Editor, I was able to cover the Bonnies on the men’s side and earn the crucial bragging right of being able to say I was a beat writer for two Division I Basketball teams. Mark Schmidt’s team isn’t tired yet as the season grinds on.
On to the gratitude. To my parents for their support and guidance. I’m grateful beyond words, which is saying something at this point. To the coaches I was lucky enough to interview, thank you for filling up the space on these pages and taking the time to indulge the students who join this newspaper.
To former sports editors Ryan Papaserge, Tyler Diedrich, Sam (Prince of Darkness) Wilson and Kyle Zamiara, thanks for spending the Wednesday nights and Thursday mornings and countless other days we don’t tell freshmen about beforehand down in the offices doing you know what.
To Professor Vecchio, Professor McNall, Former Dean Lee Coppola, Dr. Wilkins, Professors Richard and Anne Lee for taking the time to write critiques, telling us what we do right and not so right. Every member of this staff appreciates the time you take each week to diligently remind us why you’re better than us at this stuff.
The future of The Bona Venture’s sports section is never in doubt, and this semester is no exception. Skye Tulio and her brand of cutthroat sports reporting takes the reins for the next issue you will see around campus. If there’s ever a story you need done, you know where to find me, except for when you don’t.
Taylor Nigrelli, you’ve had the semester to see what’s up down here. I know the men’s basketball beat is in capable hands.
Harrison Leone steps up to the plate as the next sports editor in waiting, and I know he’s got what it takes to do the job as well. The sports section is assured to remain the number one section at the BV with the steps we’ve taken.
Once a semester the sports writer gets to say his goodbyes and be selfish with the print. Now instead of sitting on press row, I get to find a spot in the stands and not concern myself with the “media must be unbiased” rule.
The Bona Venture survives, and my time is done. And that’s how it’s always been for the life of a BV Sports Editor. If you’ve made it this far, I don’t know what you were expecting, but thanks to you too.
