07/24/2023
As the saying goes, ‘All things must come to an end.’
That is why, with a touch of sadness, that due to a family situation that I’ve been dealing with for the last several months, which now requires my undivided attention, this issue (July 26) of the Juniata Sentinel, is my last as the Sports Department for more than 25 years.
Like a lot of young people, I thought that I would only be here for a few years before moving onto bigger and better things in working my way up the professional ladder in other media. However, being that I was so close to home and had a great rapport with the coaches, athletes and my co-workers, it was very easy for me to remain here, to doing something that I went Lock Haven University to learn, and the time just few by.
It's been an honor to cover varsity high school sports for East Juniata, Juniata and Juniata Christian student-athletes since December of 1997. I find it rather amazing that the final high school game I covered was a state championship game, as it’s the goal for every team to end their seasons playing for, and winning, gold. I was lucky enough to have been at three of those contests, with two unfortunately going the wrong way, and they will be etched in my mind forever.
I’ve also been lucky enough to see a state wrestling champion crowned, as well as several other grapplers and other athletes and teams complete at the state level, plus a couple of handfuls of district champion teams and individuals, and even a few Tri-Valley League and Mid Penn Conference titles.
In closing, I wish to thank all of the current and former coaches, assistants and managers; athletic directors; administrators; student-athletes and parents; my co-workers; and fellow media colleagues that I got to know as more than acquaintances for all of the help and support. I hope you enjoyed reading my stories as much as I did in writing them.
Best wishes to all of you as you travel down your chosen paths in life, and I do hope to see as many of you as possible in the future. Thanks again.
Bill
