September 21, 2007

It’s been a great ride

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

For the past week, I’ve been thinking of the right way to say goodbye to something that’s been a big part of my life for the past three years.

As a journalist, you’re taught to be careful in choosing the words you write, trying your best not to be biased and always remembering that you’re not the story – the people and events you cover are. This case however, is totally different, because this article is about me, for a change. With that in mind, I am writing this column to announce that this issue of the Almaden Times Weekly will be my final one as the newspaper’s sports editor.

As you can imagine, I’ve met several great people along this three-year sports journey. For me, that part of the job was always the best – the people. Then again, telling someone that you get paid to watch sports for a living isn’t bad, either.

Sure, there are certain games that swim around in my memory, but the coaches, student-athletes and parents I’ve encountered and befriended along the way are what stick with me the most. To that end, I’d like to take the time to thank a number of them, including: the Krail family, the Carrozzo family, the Faria family, the Janes family, the Walker family, Kevin Jones, Kevin Hubbard, Ric Medlinger, Ron Reed, Jeff La Plante, Ben DeKoven, Gordy Smith, Joe Berticevich, Mike Monsees, Eric Rise, Chris Hansen, Dave Frandsen, Scott Kaubish, Jason Tenner, Heath Clark, Pam Headley, Jerry Rose, Jake Hernandez, Randy Worthington, Jason Hilbert, Wade Nakamura, Anthony Siri, Barbara Beard, Colette Cluff and Joe Gron, to name a few. I’d also like to thank my colleagues at the Times for all their hard work and friendship over the past three years.

Mostly, I’d like to thank my wife, Vanessa, for her patience and encouragement. It’s not easy being a sports writer’s wife, given the late hours and numerous weekends I’ve spent on a sports field or court, but she’s always been my biggest supporter.

I will be moving on to work in the development department for the Family Giving Tree, a nonprofit agency that provides school supplies and Christmas gifts to economically challenged families throughout the Bay Area. I’ve always wanted to help those in need, and now I’ll get my chance to make a meaningful impact in other people’s lives.

When I first started covering Almaden sports, I thought I’d be content just knowing that sports, my favorite subject in the world, would be a big part of my everyday life. What I’ve discovered is that people, not things, are what make or break it for me. In this case, Almaden, you really made it for me. Thanks for a great ride!