In that original column, which most of you did not have the pleasure of reading, I predicted that many readers would wonder how I, a barely 19-year-old sophomore on the golf team, took over the sports columnist reins from a legend, Joe Katuska '03 (who many of you, unfortunately, don't remember either). Well, two and a half years have passed, and I hope at least some of you have figured out the answer. If you've read this column once, talked to me once or talked about me once with someone who knows me, then you probably realize why I wanted to write this column and why I did write this column
I only wrote two columns in 2002 because of Thanksgiving and Interterm, but I knew already that writing a sports column was something I loved doing. When I went home for Interterm that winter, my mom reminded me of something I had long forgotten about. As an eight- or nine-year-old elementary school student, I used a DOS-based word processing program to write a sports newsletter. In it, I detailed the current state of the Celtics and a few other noteworthy sports stories. I don't think anyone besides my parents read it, but I didn't care.
Now, more than 10 years later, I'm still writing something similar for a slightly larger audience. Who would have thought it?
At some point in my life, I'd love to continue writing sports for a newspaper or magazine. Even after I graduate and enter the real world this summer, I think I'll attempt to write sporadically for independent periodicals. I hope you'll keep an eye out for future installments of the Babbling Bostonian. I will certainly keep my eye out for the next in a long line of Amherst Student sports columnists.
Thank you
There are a few people who I'd like to thank especially for aiding and supporting the Babbling Bostonian. First, the three editors-in-chief who have read and edited my column: Kelly Smith '04, Talia Brown '05 and Sarah Rothbard '06. Even though Sarah is the only one of the three with a clue as to what I write about, Kelly and Talia were remarkably supportive, suggestive and critical (when they needed to be). You were all a pleasure to work with and for, and I hope you learned a few things about sports along the way.
Second, I must thank my managing sports editors, Ryan "The Ryan" Yeung '04, George "Jed" Doty '05, Sarah Rothbard (once again) and Andrew "Andy" Bruns '07. You have given me so much room to grow, and I hope I have given you a product that needs little editing on Tuesday nights.
Reflections
During my first semester as the Babbling Bostonian, I wondered how many people were actually reading what I wrote. However, over the last two years, I've realized that people actually do read The Student, even professors! I won't mention any names, but at least a few of my professors have either begun or ended a Wednesday or Thursday class with a short discussion of what I wrote about. It's funny to think that some of my professors get more excited about what I say in my column than what I say in the class. (Don't worry Mom, I have plenty of intelligent things to say in class. I just understand sports better than I understand economics.)
After a professor mentions my weekly column in class, you wouldn't believe the conversations that follow between that professor and the students in the class. These interactions are what Amherst is all about. How many times at a large university in a class of 500 students do you think the professor discusses sports with four or five students before or after class for 10 minutes? I love that about Amherst. The tour guides are correct; the professors at Amherst are down-to-earth, friendly and extremely approachable.
Students read this column, too. Or at least they tell me that they do. You can't imagine how many times on a Saturday night I've been introduced to a friend of a friend as "The Babbling Bostonian." A 10-minute conversation usually ensues, followed by, "I need to go, but we have to talk some other time." I like to tell myself that they actually want to talk to me at another, more sober time, but who knows? Maybe they're just inflating my ego. Wouldn't be the first time, won't be the last.
Final Thoughts
College is an incredible time in a person's life and Amherst is a truly incredible place to go to college. It may be difficult to recognize this as an underclassman, but it's easy to appreciate when you only have only a few weeks left. The resources at our disposal are endless, and the students are some of the most talented and interesting people that we will ever interact with.
While at Amherst, it isn't vital to become friends with every person on campus, but it is nice to know just a little bit about a lot of students. With an open mind, a friendly face and a warm smile you can get along with just about anyone.
If Amherst changes in one way over the next 10 years, I hope it will take the initiative to bridge the social gap between athletes and non-athletes. Both bring so much to campus that the others do not fully appreciate or take advantage of. If the College is truly a diverse place, then it must make sure that all members of the community are accepting of that diversity.
For many student-athletes, college is their final chance to play a competitive sport. I am one of the lucky few who will continue to play my sport competitively, but for the rest, make sure you enjoy it while it lasts. Div. III college athletics is one of the purest forms of sport, and one of the best experiences a student can have. Enjoy it while it lasts. I know I have.