Bryan Fazio
November 17, 2008 12:42 am
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I suppose, in the grand scheme of things, three-and-a-half years is just a moment in a lifetime. But then again, that’s probably why it’s such a cliché to say it’s the moments that make a lifetime.
After spending that amount of time in Valdosta, I can vouch for that sentimental line.
Saturday was my last day at The Valdosta Daily Times, and Sunday was my last day as a resident of Winnersville, TitleTown, South Georgia, Valdosta or, more appropriately, home.
Being a member of this town’s newspaper puts me in a position to not only work here, but to become involved and intertwined with the community.
I’ll admit when I first arrived here at the end of August 2005, the path I have navigated wasn’t the one I envisioned. I refused to buy furniture, thinking that I wouldn’t be here long enough for the carpet to get more worn than the patch underneath the couch. I didn’t look to get involved, because I had spent the previous three years in Tampa, and Valdosta wasn’t moving at my pace.
But then I was welcomed with open arms. Coaches, fans, players, support staff and, of course, my co-workers all provided this thing called Southern hospitality.
I’m not going to list all the nice things, and great moments, the people of Valdosta have provided, but it’s sufficient to say it takes up way more space than a couch and kitchen set ever could.
My first year here was spent just getting into the flow of working a 40-hour week for the first time. I honestly enjoyed going to work every day.
I’ll never forget looking around Martin Stadium during my first Winnersville Classic and hearing the roar of the crowd right before kickoff. Sure, I’ve been at games with 20, 40, even 50 thousand people before, but nothing matches the spirit of Valdosta football.
As I grew as a writer here, I learned that this job not only provided me with great sports to watch every day, and great people to work with, but also great opportunities for stories.
My first big story was the Lowndes High football team winning the state championship. But more detailed to me was the usually-introverted Lowndes head coach Randy McPherson exuding emotion after seeing his first senior class win it all for the second straight year.
From there, several stories stand out, but they were all about the people. Former Valdosta State offensive lineman Richard Collier’s story was a highlight for me then, but now, as the details of his tragic shooting unfold, it continues to grow. The other story of an athlete overcoming adversity was that of Scott Rigsby, the first double amputee to complete the Ironman World Championships, and I’m glad I got to meet him before I left South Georgia. There are dozens of other tales about the people I was proud to highlight, and even more stories of the people I didn’t write about but came to know.
Of course, I can’t think about the last three years in Valdosta without mentioning the simultaneous run to the championships by both Valdosta State and Lowndes in 2007. Being the beat writer of those two schools was an opportunity I know doesn’t come along often.
I was able to see first hand how this town earned the recognition of TitleTown as I covered those two teams. Then, just a few months later, I literally witnessed this town being crowned TitleTown USA by ESPN.
The nation was told that Valdosta encompassed greatness in sports, but I have seen it with my own eyes the past three-and-a-half years.
Living in Winnersville, TitleTown, South Georgia, Valdosta and at home is a sight, a sound, a feeling and a moment I will never forget.
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