It is often said that sports is the greatest form of entertainment because it cannot be scripted. After two and half years of studying to become a sports journalist, I still find the idea as true as ever before.

It has been one of the greatest honors of my young sports media career to serve as the sports editor and a writer for the Northern Iowan. I have been lucky enough to be part of so many memorable sporting events here at UNI; it’s hard to describe the best one. There is one that will stick with me to the very end of my career, however: the one that got me down this path into sports media.

It was March 2016 in the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla. Paul Jespersen drilled a dagger half-court three-point buzzer beater to knock off sixth seeded Texas to advance in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

That moment came to define why I became a sports writer. The excitement, the unpredictability and the pure joy of Panther fans around the building inspired me to want to share stories of sports and the emotion behind them. Now, two and a half years later, as I prepare to walk across the stage and graduate, I look back on my time here at the Northern Iowan, and am thankful for  the opportunity to expand on my writing and leadership abilities.

Thank you to my writers (you all know who you are). You keep the sports page rolling with your content and passion for athletics. To the NI editorial staff, thank you for your unwavering support, encouragement and above all, your passion and love of memes and vines.

To my readers, thank you as well. This is why I do what I do. I love to share the passion of sport with you and I hope you will continue to find that in the NI going forward.

As for me, you’ll probably see me around UNI sports a lot. I’m going to be chilling in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area in the sports media field. So, whether I’m on the radio or in the newspaper, feel free to check out what I’m up to.

Peace out everyone! And go Cats!