Goodbye, farewell, and all that
I was hired at The State almost exactly five years ago, and became a beat writer for the South Carolina Gamecocks a little more than a year later. It was only then that my aunt Catherine, who lives in Allendale, informed me that I had Gamecock blood in my veins:
Her late husband, my great-uncle Whit, and his father had both graduated from USC. In fact my middle name is theirs, so I was literally named after a couple Gamecock grads.
So I had that goin’ for me.
It’s been an interesting time covering this school, and it’s ending for now. This is my last week here, and I’m moving on to Athens, where I’ll cover the Georgia Bulldogs for McClatchy newspapers (The Macon Telegraph and the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, mainly.)
I look forward to my first football road trip, which will be to … Columbia. (Anybody know any good places to eat?)
As I also look forward, a quick look back. If you’ll indulge me, a few public thank yous:
Everybody who ever read this blog, scanned a story with my byline, or watched the “Joe and Seth Show” – you deserve a medal for that last one, actually.
My editors, my colleagues on the beat, and especially my partner in crime for four years, Joseph “Joe” Person.
Emily Feeney and Michelle Schmitt, the two sports information directors for men’s basketball during my tenure on the beat. These two deserve a lot of credit for succeeding in a man’s world – as well as taking my late-night calls and stupid questions.
Eric Hyman, for being an accessible athletics director who was always professional in his dealings with me. The same goes for the people he has under him: Charles Waddell, Kevin O’Connell, Jennifer Stiles, Steve Fink, Al Daniel and many more.
Dave Odom, for the class with which he handled the reporter-coach relationship. Odom didn’t win much here, and the two seasons I covered were both horrific, but I think it says something about him that he and I still somehow parted on good terms. The same goes for his staff.
Ray Tanner and Andrew Kitick, perhaps the best coach-SID duo you’ll ever be privileged to deal with as a media member. A quick Tanner story: Four years ago I misquoted him after a game – I just heard his quote wrong. The next day, Andrew handed me a hand-written note from Tanner that gently told me so. I felt terrible, obviously. Hours later, Tanner accepted my apology with a smile and a laugh.
All the players, but especially the ones who SMILED during their interviews, and didn’t make you feel like you were pulling teeth. Guys like Brandis Raley-Ross, Evka Baniulis, Moe Brown, Kenny McKinley, Stephen Garcia, Justin Smoak.
And Dominique Archie, who may not have liked talking to the media, but was as insightful as anybody when he did, and whom deserved a way better end to his career. So did Devan Downey.
… And a multitude of people I won’t name, but have privately thanked or will do so.
Then there are the fans, which for a beat writer is always an interesting relationship. When I met you in person, it was never a bad experience. But behind a keyboard, obviously, a fan tends to be more honest, or irrational, depending on how you look at it.
I guess my parting words for Gamecock fans would be this: Everyone has a job to do. Sometimes we do it well. Sometimes we don’t. When you win – like beating No. 1 Kentucky, or winning the College World Series – the positive publicity will ensue. When you lose or something bad happens – an NCAA investigation, a player leaving – the negative publicity will come.
The world of journalism in general is changing, and so is sports journalism. I hope there continues to be a place for objective, call-it-as-you-see-it reporting. In my case, I’m a professional: I’m going to cover Georgia the same way I covered South Carolina. (Insert your own joke here.)
Speaking of which, if you’re so inclined, you can follow me on my new blog at http://ugadogsblog.blogspot.com/ and http://www.dawg-extra.blogspot.com/
And in the meantime, I’ll keep reading The State and whoever replaces me in this blog. (Doubtless, it should be an upgrade.)
It’s been real, folks. See you in September.

Recent Comments