I am not athletic. I do not play sports. I am the person who goes to Super Bowl parties for the food and commercials, who roots for a team for their color and mascot, and who barely understands the concept of a touchdown. Once I stopped playing recreational soccer with the Atlanta Youth Soccer Association, I never went near an organized team sport again, with the exception of my mental relapse sophomore year when I actually thought I would join the tennis team. I would much rather plead a fake case in court, sing a song on stage, or translate an ancient language than participate in group physical activity.

 So, you can imagine my surprise at the end of last year when I found out that the advisors of The Southerner had made me the Associate Managing Editor with an emphasis on the Sports section. Despite what you may think, my reaction was not an angry or disappointed one. I was a bit worried, however, about what was ahead of me and whether I could step up to the plate (that’s a sports reference, right?).

My experience as a junior on the staff of The Southerner instilled in me new and improved journalism skills, but I had also gained an appreciation for going out on a limb and trying new things. Story assignments in the past had allowed me to interview and interact with new and interesting people whom I otherwise may never have met. So, I decided to take my new job and make the most of it.

Although at times it felt like I was walking blindly into unknown territory, I tried to keep my mind (and my eyes) open. I prefer writing hard news, opinion editorials or features, but issue after issue I volunteered to write more sports stories, hoping I could teach both our junior staffers and myself the art of sports writing. I even got to combine my interest in news writing with sports coverage when I reported on the issue of out-of-district players on the football team. I ended up writing several stories about ultimate Frisbee, a sport I knew nothing about aside from my friends’ snide jokes about abstract concept of “the spirit of the game” to co-captain and News editor Josh Weinstock. I covered football, soccer, baseball, tennis and other sports games, sometimes not even knowing the rules before I went to the game. Through trial and error and the assistance of my athletic peers, I learned more about sports than I ever thought possible. Before I became Sports editor, I hardly ever went to sports games, but now I realize how much fun they can be and how much the support means to the players. Now, I can carry on a conversation about sports and actually sound like I know what I’m talking about (well, sort of) or watch a football game and not just think it’s tiny figures running around and tackling each other.

 When I head off to the University of Georgia, I hope to pursue my newfound interest in sports journalism and appreciation for sports further by writing for The Red and Black and showing pride in my school’s team as a “Dawg.”  I also hope to take this lesson in trying new things — even ones that I never thought I would do — outside of E106 and with me throughout life. And as a word of advice for everyone, experience something you have never experienced, learn about something you know nothing about and talk to someone you have never met. Who knows? You may just kick that winning touchdown on the baseball court!