OPINION: Coaches and athletes make covering CMU sports enjoyable
Von Lozon | Staff Reporter
Every week, several of us on the sports desk would predict outcomes of CMU sports over the weekend. When it came down to the final week, the first-place crown was on the line between me and Sports Editor Taylor DesOrmeau.
By the end of last weekend, I was the winner.
My prize was that I could choose any topic and write a a column about it. Several thoughts floated through my head on what I could write about, including Connor Cook being drafted in the fourth round in the NFL Draft or why the NBA Playoffs are the worst playoffs in the major American sports.
But why do that when I can reflect on my first semester at Central Michigan Life?
When I started, I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was I was going to be covering women's basketball.
I went to a practice for the first time and must have looked like that mama duck whose ducklings fell down a storm drain a few days ago. I had no idea what to do, ask or say. But over time, I started to get the hang of things.
Just like with any other media member she's ever spoken with, Head Women's Basketball Coach Sue Guevara learned my first name and we eventually spoke on a first name basis. I thought that was the coolest thing ever, since Sue is such an awesome person.
Then the baseball season began and I started covering the majority of those games. Before the season even started, I had the pleasure of meeting Head Baseball Coach Steve Jaksa. We ended up talking for probably 20 or 30 minutes that day. Most of it was about the team, but he was asking me questions too, like where I was from and if I ever played baseball.
The coaches I've interacted with this year have been great and even though they can be frustrated after a loss and not always be in pleasant moods when I speak with them, I remember it's their job to be upset when something doesn't go their way. It happens to all of us, myself included.
The players have been a blast to work with as well.
Sophomore forward Tinara Moore on the women's basketball team is one of the most down-to-earth people I've ever met. I had a phone interview with her the first time we spoke. Sue handed her the phone and she started our conversation with "Hello Von, how are you doing tonight?" in a bright tone. I was stunned. Was I really talking to someone I've never met before? It didn't feel like it.
I also know a few of the baseball players on a first name basis, including injured sophomore pitcher Sean Martens and freshman outfielder Dazon Cole. Sean, going through a severe elbow injury, is an outstanding guy and gladly answered every question I asked him about his surgery and recovery. He'll be back on the mound next season and I can't wait to see what he does.
Dazon is one of the most interesting guys I've met this year. He's a pitcher, outfielder and infielder for the baseball team. If he wanted to be a catcher, I'd bet money he could do that too. He does all of this and he's only a freshman. He'll be one of the leaders of the team his junior and senior year. He has a lot of untapped potential and he'll be exciting to watch throughout his career at CMU.
At the end of the day, I am thankful for my opportunity to write about sports at this school. The people I've worked with within the Athletics Department and at Central Michigan Life have made this spring semester an enjoyable one.
The staff records will go back to 0-0 by the time August rolls around. Maybe a new champion will be crowned in December. Until then, I say "see ya later" from the fourth floor of Moore Hall.
