Posted on March 29, 2007
I guess this is it. And it’s been one hell of a ride.
This is the last time I will have The Breeze sports editor to my name (besides on my resume) and the last time I will be setting up page layouts at what used to be my desk in Anthony-Seeger Hall. It’s the last time I will be working with all the great people that have made my Breeze experience a fun, memorable one. And I’m sure it will become even more memorable and seem that much more fun upon graduating and looking back on it, especially while I’m looking for low-on-the-totem-pole jobs to get my start in journalism.
It’s inevitable.
But, being a Duke and covering JMU sports has been a pleasant surprise. And to think I even once considered going to Virginia Tech.
Yes, the Hokies have more Division I sports teams. However, that empty fact does not even come close to: Having a Division I-AA 2004 national champion football team, following an amazing, mid-major women’s basketball team to Pittsburgh for an NCAA tournament appearance or watching a women’s lacrosse team clean house in the Colonial Athletic Association and become a top-10 national program.
I can definitely say that I’ve seriously been blessed to have the opportunity to come to JMU. Not only for getting this challenging, but very rewarding job at The Breeze, but also for all the people that have made these last four years special.
So, I’d like to take this time to thank these important people: Much love for everyone I’ve worked with at Madison Grill these last four years (keep in touch, you all will probably be missed the most), the Basement Boys of Gifford Hall (and yes, most of the stories you’ve heard about us are true), the coolest two RAs a guy could ask for (Dan and Crystal, that means you), the roommates (for putting up with me), all my friends (especially those of you reading this), my professors (unless you’re the one who gave me a “Ca” in GREL), all the JMU athletes I’ve talked to (and for doing what you do), the sports editors that have preceded me (especially Mr. James Irwin and Matt Stoss for helping me immensely as a writer/editor), all the sports writers that I’ve come to know and count on, and finally, all of you who read The Breeze sports section. Whether you loved it, hated it, recognized my name or not, I appreciated having the purple-and- gold faithful as an audience.
My sincere thanks go out to all of you.
Oh, and thank you Brian Hansen for not quitting (officially). For the record, Brian quit unofficially 13 times this year.
Best of luck to this year’s departing class and go Dukes! Peace, I’m outta here. Throw some signs.
John Galle is a senior SMAD major concentrating in print journalism. He’s ready to move on to the “big time” and hopes women’s sports will soon be a part of that.
