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.
42 Comments to “Goodbye, farewell, and all that”
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State newspaper sports writer Seth Emerson blogs on University of South Carolina basketball and baseball.
fairewell seth i no we didnt awleys see i 2 i during ur time here but i respeceted ur opninos and loved the blogg well miss u here in cola and hoepfulyl u can d osomethign to hurt those dirrty dirty dawgs while ur there best wishe sseth
Well put. Best of luck and Thanks for all of the stories and info over the years.
Great job covering the Gamecocks these past 5 years, Seth. I’ve enjoyed reading your stuff.
Seth, I have enjoyed reading your work and think that you will be missed. As far as the links, you can keep’em – who cares about UGA?
Good luck in Athens!
Cheers!
Seth,
Its been real, its been fun, but I cant say its been real fun.
Thanks though for making it a point to identify the truly classy people that worked for Carolina (Odom, Schmitt, Kitick, Tanner, and Waddell) and the athletes who always represented this University in a positive manner (Brandis, Evka, Moe, Justin and Dominique)
I too enjoyed your blog and articles. Good luck! There’s a lot of trouble to get into in Athens. Look out!
thanks for all u have done Coving our GAMECOCKS and i wish u nothing but the best…
hopfully in a few months u will be writing about the butt whipping those ole dawgs got from these
FIGHTING GAMECOCKS!!!
I always thought your views were realistic, and you blog comments well-written. Wish you weren’t going to the enemy!
Hey you’re not going to have a dance-o-meter for Georgia are you? I feel like its only rightful home is here in Gamecock land.
Good luck and much happiness to you and yours in Athens!
So, how did Darrin Horn take the news? Stalking Mark Fox doesn’t have the same ring to it. Tough luck on the timing with the UGA AD drama – now THAT would’ve been a heck of an opening story. So, did you promise your better half you wouldn’t leave Columbia until USC won a nat’l championship thinking that would take forever. Anyway, thanks for keeping this MOCO, MD guy up to speed on the ‘Cocks and congrats on the new job. I’ll continue to follow you on twitter.
We’ll welcome you back in September, then hopefully send you home wimpering with that nub of a bulldog tail between your legs.
Seth,
Your wit and impartiality will be greatly missed. Yours is an oft-thankless job…so thank you.
Great job covering the Gamecocks, Seth Emerson! I enjoyed reading your articles. GO GAMECOCKS!
Seth,
I’m sorry to see you go but wish you all the best. It’s been a pleasure reading you the last several years so keep up the good work and unbiased reporting. The Dawgs are lucky to have you!!
So long Seth. I hope all the negative stuff that you endured while here did not warp your memory of the place. Most of us appreciate truthfulness in reporting more than homing. Larry Munson could give lessons in that but, alas, he is gone. Many of us did not choose USC, it chose us and, like a parent that did not always do what we wanted, we love her still.
Hey Seth,
I really enjoyed reading your blogs & articles over the past few years. Your writing is very witty & enjoyable to read. Good luck in GA.
Go Gamecocks!!!
I find it very noticable that of all the people you thanked, Darrin Horn wasn’t one of them. Very telling. Nice job, Seth. You were a great one.
Seth, I wish you all the best. I’ve enjoyed reading your columns, blog, and reports and know Athens will be a better place with you in it. I hope you’ll remember the Gamecocks fondly and cheer for us except when we’re playing Georgia. You’ll definitely be missed! Good luck in this and in other future endeavors. Go, Gamecocks!
congrats on the new job! I’m sorry your leaving tho- I’ve really enjoyed reading your articles, blogs and watching the S and J show. Best of Luck!
Congratulations on the new job. Ive always enjoyed your blog, especially your basketball coverage.
Good luck and God-speed. And remember the Dawgs don’t like Clemson either. At least you’re staying in the SEC!
Best wishes to you Seth.
Hate for you to go to Jawja… Bluck!
Peace.
Not bad for a Terp. Whoda thunk it?
Best wishes in Athens, Seth! I have always enjoyed your perspective on Gamecock things and will miss that.
Seth,
Good luck in your travels to the Peach State. By the way do let the UGA faithful that South Carolina produces more peaches than they do. Nice to be better than Georgia in something other than poor education, crime, aids, drugs, etc. I really enjoyed your times on the radio and the Joe and Seth shows were pretty funny.
Some thought your departure was due to Joe not letting you carry his nutcracker/puppet during those shows.
Athens is a great town.
You will be missed.
Shep
you will last less than a week covering the bulldogs like you covered the gamecocks. Thats not to be mean, thats just reality. Other schools out there wont tolerate the hating on their program from the local papers. I often wonder why we do…..
Seth,
Thoroughly enjoyed all your writings!
All the best to you Seth and your future career. I am a former USC football letterman and I often thought you were fair and balanced when it came to my beloved Gamecocks. I will miss the mid-week Q and A segments you did with other beat writers of the Gamecocks opponent during the season – great idea and was value added!
I enjoyed your work tremendously. Farewell and godspeed…
I’ve enjoyed your work, Seth. You’ll be missed.
Good luck in Dawg country.
this guy better be good. and he better post daily like our old guy, and he needs to understand that we don’t care about basketball.
otherwise, you can have him back.
and our blogs dont wait to approve comments, no moderation. be prepared to be attacked, often.
you better listen to foolio @ 8:34am. We are evil here.
Hey everybody,
I’m very, very touched by all the kind words. Sincerely.
For those of you emailing me, my address at The State gets turned off at the end of today. You can write me starting Monday at semerson@macon.com, or the Bulldogs blog, or on Twitter. (I’ll be using both my current account and the bulldogsblog).
Again, thanks very much for everything. It’s been a pleasure.
Good luck in Athens!
Drop in & say hello from time to time!
Cheers!
Seth,
We never met, and never worked together, but I have appreciated your work and your writing. Sometimes the responses on these boards were WAY more vicious than necessary and for that, I apologize. Good luck, good fortune and God Bless in your endeavors ahead!
Seth, you stink. You are a hack. Georgia fans will eat you and your negative reporting alive. Why dont you take negative Joe with you while you are at. I hope the Snake paper goes under. You always dissed and hated the Cocks. Good riddance fool!!!
Nah, I am just kidding. I love you man!!!!!!!!
Seth, I thoroughly have enjoyed your coverage of the Gamecocks over the past several years! Good luck in all your future endeavor’s.
Seth,
Best of luck in being able to cover an SEC school. You will love the most beautiful campus in the SEC, the classic city of Athens and the 93,000 fans that show up at every home game. You will also enjoy seeing the school you are covering win a bowl game, competing for an SEC Championship, going to BCS Bowl Games and winning 90 games in 9 seasons! Welcome to the SEC!
Now that’s funny, bubba, I don’t care who you are.
Good luck, Seth.
Dear Mr. Emerson,
I don’t know you, nor do I know your personal situation; however, I do know SEC sports and in particular the Universities or South Carolina and Georgia. I understand your point about your perceived consummate professionalism; but what you fail to understand is their is more to your profession than simply being able to claim being a professional.
I am a life long Gamecock, yet I went to graduate school at the University of Georgia and I lived in Athens for an additional three years. I have a fondness for each university. Athens is a wonderful place filled with vibrant people, great music, and a darkness to the people and city that is intriguing, exciting, and sad. I hope your experience in Athens is as wonderful as mine, I truly do. It is a special town.
However the grass in Athens will most likely not be greener. In a town of extreme tolerance and diversity there is no tolerance for anyone who does not tow the Bulldog line. I know the media group you are working for, and while I wish you well, I do not believe your leash of professionalism will be very long there. You are in the business of selling newspapers and in Athens there is no objective journalism when it comes to the Bulldogs.
I appreciate you dedication to the South Carolina beat. I hope it was more than just a paycheck and an assignment to you; fore it always is more than that to your readers. If not, well we appreciate everything and hope you find happiness somewhere in your life. Good Luck, enjoy Athens, and God bless you and your family.
Sincerely,
Jason P.
Thanks for always taking time to respond to my questions and for adding your input. Good luck in the future.