It was a privilege

Not too many people can honestly say they have the privilege of doing something they love for a living.

I happen to be among the exceptions to the rule. It is a privilege to be the sports editor of the Gonzales Inquirer and a privilege to cover sports at six great schools.

My tenure is coming to an end soon as I recently accepted a position at a daily newspaper in the greater Houston area. While I will cover sports at schools in the greater Houston area, I will never forget the time I spent at the Inquirer.

There were so many great things that happened and so many great people I met and interacted with in my 18 months here at the paper that it would take several columns to thank everyone. So I’m going to thank everyone collectively instead.

My journey with the Inquirer began in late July 2011, and I hit the ground running as two-a-day practices began for football and volleyball three days after I started. The drive from Gonzales High School to Nixon-Smiley High School and back to write two stories on deadline is something I will never forget.

The following day I went to Waelder volleyball practice as then-athletic director Jarvin Hall was filling in as the search for a volleyball coach continued. I even helped out with the practice as I served volleyballs to the Lady Cats for 2-3 minutes while Hall tended to matters with his children.

After an eventful first week on the job, I knew I was in for something special. The 2011-12 school year proved to be just that as I saw a multitude of playoff teams, a state cross country qualifier, four state powerlifting qualifiers — including state champion Landon Lock of Gonzales — a pair of state-qualifying golfers and several state qualifiers in track and field.

Among the playoff teams I covered last season, the St. Paul softball team claimed the TAPPS 2A state crown — its second in as many years. I saw a pair of state championship teams — Luling boys cross country and St. Paul football — during the 2012-13 school year as well.

There have been so many memorable and fun moments from taking pictures of babies at games to saying, “it’s in the hole,” after each made basket by one of the teams I cover. I am thankful for the opportunity to cover Gonzales, Nixon-Smiley, Waelder, St. Paul, Shiner and Luling.

It was a privilege.