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Posted September 10, 2008

Growing up in the Thumb and looking up to those Sports Editors of the past, I never thought I would find myself in a position like this. So, for whatever reason, Jon Sicotte decided to give this kid from Mayville a break in the wide world of sports media.

Born and raised in the little village of Mayville I found it very easy to become a sports fan. As a little kid I remember looking up to the athletes that passed through Mayville High School. Believe it or not, back in the day Mayville had some pretty good teams. Yes, in football too.

It was after a job shadow project in my middle school days when I discovered that somehow, some way I would work in sports for the rest of my life. I visited NBC-25 in Clio for a day during the time of Michigan State basketball’s “Flintstones”. The entire studio was buzzing with excitement and an endless list of ways to cover that story. After that day, I was hooked.

Some of you may hear my name and automatically associate me with the grocery store in Mayville, Wingert’s Food Center. Since I spent most of my childhood years there, I suppose that is appropriate. My family has been nothing but supportive through everything I’ve done in my life, all while offering me a job to accomodate my hectic schedule.I was fortunate enough to start here at the Advertiser last fall just in time for an exciting football season. I would like to thank everyone who criticized my weekly football picks. I’m sorry I let you down, I promise you this year will result in a better outcome. Jon quickly took me under his wing and gave me a great opportunity to cover Thumb-area sports.

So, thank you, Jon for taking a chance on me and leaving me well prepared to take over your comfy chair here at the office. Being a basketball nut, I will easily say that my favorite part of being on staff last year was covering Brad Redford. It is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to cover a kid as talented as Brad, not to mention having someone win ‘Mr. Basketball’ from the Thumb area. Having been to many basketball games in the state of Michigan, whether it be Saginaw High vs. Saginaw Arthur Hill or the State Finals at MSU, I am here to tell you there is not much you can compare to a packed gym in the Thumb on a Friday night.

One of my favorite things about the Thumb is the way it has broken down the walls of rivalries and conferences and labeled itself, “The Thumb”. When a Thumb-area team has a great year and makes it to the state finals, you can look around the stands and see not just the fans from that school, but fans from all around the Thumb area. The rivals are still there, and so is the competition, but all in all we are “The Thumb” and that is a beautiful thing.

As a 2002 graduate of Mayville High School, my list of sporting accomplishments is not very long. As a member of the 2002 Wildcat basketball team, and we are the last team to have a winning record. In 2001, a state record for three-pointers made in a basketball game was set by Matt Kitchen and I was a witness…from the bench, of course. And to round out the list, I was a member of the golf team that sent golfers to states all four years I was in high school. That’s about it.

So if you are looking for a man with many trophies, awards and other sports accomplishments, I may not be your pick. However, if you are looking for an eager, energetic young man who is excited to bring you your weekly sports coverage, I am definitely your guy.