Sports Talk

Allow me to introduce myself

Posted 10/12/21

Well, it has been a very busy three, almost four weeks since I moved to Powell to take over the sports reporter position here at the Tribune. So I figured I should say hello.

I came to join the …

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Sports Talk

Allow me to introduce myself

Posted

Well, it has been a very busy three, almost four weeks since I moved to Powell to take over the sports reporter position here at the Tribune. So I figured I should say hello.

I came to join the amazing team here after working at the Northern Wyoming News in Worland for the last two-plus years, and I am now excited to begin the journey in Powell.

I worked the last two years on normal news beats, such as the county commissioners or school board, but I have played sports nearly my entire life and was thrilled with the opportunity to come here and share the stories of the Panther and Trapper programs to begin my sports reporting career.

Being a sports enthusiast, I understand the importance of telling the stories of the team and being able to recognize each athlete for their achievements throughout school.

Typically I am not one to talk about myself, but I plan to continue to write columns throughout the year — starting with my preview and predictions of the 2021-22 NBA season next week.

Jumping into sports midseason has been a challenge, trying to catch up with everyone’s record and individual statistics to this point in the season, but I feel I have reached a point where I have finally caught up despite a busy weekend.

I have been thrown into multiple roles and I have had to help officiate multiple Northwest College soccer matches due to injuries and officials canceling.

That is a subject I would like to touch on, as there is a general shortage for officials across most levels of sports across the state and region.

Having been involved as a soccer official for half of my life (12 years), I have noticed that it is becoming more and more difficult to find officials, from youth all the way through the college level.

One of the main reasons I have heard — especially for youth officials deciding not to continue — has been verbal abuse from fans over the years.

Being a player participating in multiple sports since I was a child, I have experienced it both as a player and an official, with officials being abused simply for being human.

One of the best arguments I have heard from officials, which has become more of a plea for help in recent years, is “please go take a course and come help us if you know how to call it.”

There were multiple junior varsity soccer games canceled throughout the state this past year, as there simply was a shortage of officials to cover them. It is a shame there has to be any games canceled simply due to a lack of officials, as that means some kids who rely on playing a game for an escape on the weekends will not get that opportunity.

I know that sometimes officials make mistakes on their calls; I have made plenty over the years. But yelling at the official does not help them most of the time.

Officials are human, too, and are able to make mistakes. Most of them take time off from their jobs simply to travel and officiate just to make some money through a side job.

All I ask going forward is that you talk to officials in a respectful manner and maybe even get to know them off the court; many of the best people I know are officials and will do anything to keep kids safe and call a fair game.

Again, thank you for everyone I have met so far in this job for being so kind. All I ask is that you pass the kindness along to officials and even consider taking a course to help out.

Sports Talk

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