With Authority

Amidst the drama, it's been a good ride

For just shy of a year, I spent the majority of my free time away from the classroom at an office in Anthony-Seeger Hall — in an elementary school none the less. One wouldn't think that's how a senior would want to spend his final year at JMU, especially considering I had to be at work by — gasp — 11 a.m. Sunday morning. I suppose it's funny how life works.

When I accepted the position of assistant sports editor, I figured my biggest problem would be a scene reminiscent to the movie Billy Madison, specifically, involving a situation at a row of tiny urinals. Man, was I wrong. There were no humorous bathroom stories, although I can remember one morning after someone's 21st birthday … but, it just wouldn't be politically correct to punk him in this column.

In any event, within the first few weeks of training, I was blindsided by a massive workload, along with a seemingly endless amount of training. (Try being a sport management major working with journalism kids.) Frustrated as I may have been at the time, I stuck through it all and can't say I have any regrets.

Not many college students have the opportunity to observe a collegiate football game in a state-of-the-art press box, amidst the presence of 65,000 fans. The Dukes were routed by then No. 9 Virginia Tech, 43-0. Regardless, I had the luxury of watching two potential top 10 National Football League draft picks — running back Kevin Jones, and cornerback/return man DeAngelo Hall.

A few weeks later, the fun continued, sports editor Brad Richards and I boarded a chartered flight to the University of New Hampshire. In a frigid, non-enclosed press box, the two of us witnessed a 20-17 loss that eliminated the Dukes from Division I-AA playoff contention. One thing's for sure, the night before was a great time, as those who have ever hit up the small, seaside town of Portsmouth, N.H., know what the night life is like.

My position also entitled me to a column through which to voice my opinion on any recent activity in the media.

The ability to bitch, moan, criticize and praise was an opportunity in which I seized to my fullest benefit.

For those who read the majority of the "With Authority" editions, I'm sure I've made more enemies than friends. I'll officially come clean — my hometown is a suburb of Philadelphia, Pa. Sure, I gave the Washington Redskins negative press, but they deserved it. Try being in a fraternity full of ‘Skins fans. You can't even fathom the amount of heat I took on a daily basis from brothers, not to mention random students stopping me on campus to say, "You're a moron. U. of Georgia's going to crush U. of Tennessee," or something similar.

I love to argue about sports. You name it — professional, collegiate — even high school — and I'll argue about it. It certainly takes a strong personality to voice one's thoughts, whether they are predictions or rips in press for thousands to read. Maybe one day I'll find my true calling and have the opportunity host a program similar to ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption," but I doubt it. Until then, I will endlessly inundate readers with my opinion and use columns as my platform.

With that said, I'll do something no one ever thought I would. As painstaking as it is to admit, the Philadelphia Eagles were outplayed, and coincidentally exploited for their weaknesses in the National Football Conference Championship game. But, with that said, my Birds will win the Super Bowl next year over the Indianapolis Colts. And, since I'm already being quite bold and agitating readers, the Philadelphia Phillies will defeat the Boston Red Sox in the World Series this fall.

Concluding my final digs at fans across campus, I'll say my farewell to The Breeze, as well as JMU.
Those who know me can surely read beyond my hint of sarcasm throughout, knowing what this job has done for me. Not only has it given me an immense amount of experience, but, more importantly, it has provided me with an outlet I enjoy.

I spent four years of college unmotivated and hopping between majors before I found a home in sport management.

In hindsight, the position of assistant sports editor has given me a career path. How many graduating seniors do you know who really can say they will enjoy their job? Now you can chalk up at least one — me.

Wes Heinel is a senior sports management major who plans on finding a career in sports journalism in the near future.