When you have my job, you get a lot of feedback. There will always be criticisms because, frankly, mistakes are made all the time.
But then there is what I like to affectionately refer to as the "Happy, Happy File." This is a storage location that exists only in my head where I stash away all the kind words I hear to revisit on a rainy day. Or for after I misspell Kurschner. Again.
These positive reinforcements come from a number of sources, most often parents or coaches. Last night, I got the sort of compliment that slides right up to the top of the list.
After chewing the fat with Black Hawk's well-celebrated dynamo Joey Hartwig on the subject of raising cash for the MACC Fund through the WBCA All-Star game, he closed our conversation in downright shocking fashion.
I thanked him for another fun, always intriguing conversation. He replied by thanking me for the job that we do as a sports department.
But it gets better.
He went on to tell me that we as a sports staff make being in sports more fun and give them even more motivation to succeed.
Talk about getting all the validation you'll ever need, and getting it right fro the horse's mouth.
This 6-4 workhorse is a member of an incredible Warriors senior class that may not be rivaled in South Wayne for generations, talent-wise.
Far too often such God-given gifts lend to arrogance. Especially with the innumerable hours that a kid like Joey puts in to keep being the best.
He's worked so hard that it actually made me get misty when I got off the phone and told my editor what he'd said to me.
This is the same kid that Jerry Mortimer told me I'd be lucky if I got much out of him.
I'll dispel the illusion, I'm not going to live in Monroe forever. Wherever my career should lead someday, I'll never forget what these kids have done to me as a reporter, and editor and, plain and simply, as a human being.
So, thank you Joe. There's no cheering on press row, but I can proudly say that you're the man.
But then there is what I like to affectionately refer to as the "Happy, Happy File." This is a storage location that exists only in my head where I stash away all the kind words I hear to revisit on a rainy day. Or for after I misspell Kurschner. Again.
These positive reinforcements come from a number of sources, most often parents or coaches. Last night, I got the sort of compliment that slides right up to the top of the list.
After chewing the fat with Black Hawk's well-celebrated dynamo Joey Hartwig on the subject of raising cash for the MACC Fund through the WBCA All-Star game, he closed our conversation in downright shocking fashion.
I thanked him for another fun, always intriguing conversation. He replied by thanking me for the job that we do as a sports department.
But it gets better.
He went on to tell me that we as a sports staff make being in sports more fun and give them even more motivation to succeed.
Talk about getting all the validation you'll ever need, and getting it right fro the horse's mouth.
This 6-4 workhorse is a member of an incredible Warriors senior class that may not be rivaled in South Wayne for generations, talent-wise.
Far too often such God-given gifts lend to arrogance. Especially with the innumerable hours that a kid like Joey puts in to keep being the best.
He's worked so hard that it actually made me get misty when I got off the phone and told my editor what he'd said to me.
This is the same kid that Jerry Mortimer told me I'd be lucky if I got much out of him.
I'll dispel the illusion, I'm not going to live in Monroe forever. Wherever my career should lead someday, I'll never forget what these kids have done to me as a reporter, and editor and, plain and simply, as a human being.
So, thank you Joe. There's no cheering on press row, but I can proudly say that you're the man.
