Believe me when I tell you, this wasn’t the plan. It never was.
If you told me a year and a half ago that I’d be writing this column, I would have probably called you crazy. It’s been an emotional few weeks, and it isn’t any easier as I write this.
But here we are, my final day at the Daily Reporter.
I never would have imagined I’d be leaving sports writing or The Reporter so soon. This truly has been a dream job, one that I had always hoped to get and have been lucky enough to have for a little less than two years now.
More importantly, I never could have imagined the reception I’d receive when I came to Greenfield in April of 2018. It was then — and still is today — overwhelming.
I will admit, I was nervous when I arrived in Greenfield, having been out of sportswriting for seven years and having never been a sports editor. I was the new guy in town, and I knew basically nobody.
That changed very fast. And all credit for that goes to you, our readers, who made me feel at home from the start.
Don’t get me wrong — the job of sports editor, in general, is a ton of fun. I get paid to watch people play sports and then tell their stories. I couldn’t ask for much more.
What I found here in Hancock County, though, was even better than I could have imagined.
The most rewarding part of this experience has been the connections I’ve developed and the stories I’ve been able to share. I’ve met some amazing people, from student-athletes, to coaches, to parents, to business owners, to school administrators. I like to think I made a positive impact in Hancock County, even though I was only here a short time.
I can tell you this — Hancock County certainly has made an impact on me.
Saying goodbye is never easy. I’ve had to do it far too often in my life already, and I dislike it today as much as I ever have. But it is important to me that I do so, because this community has come to mean a lot to me in a short time, and I want to make sure you know that.
I’m sad to see it end so soon, but don’t be surprised to see me pop up from time to time. I’ll be following along via Twitter, hoping to see some more big moments and championship wins from a different vantage point. I already know some of our county teams are playing in Columbus in the near future, and I plan to be there, this time as a fan.
I’ve been lucky to be a part of a great team at the Daily Reporter, and that isn’t about to change. I know Steve Heath and Rich Torres (who is returning as sports editor on Monday) will do a great job of continuing our newspaper’s coverage of Hancock County sports. Meanwhile, I will be embarking on a new challenge as the Assistant Managing Editor of The Republic in Columbus, Indiana.
Again, thank you for making me feel welcome in your community, and for accepting me into the fold. Thank you for sharing your stories with me and allowing me to tell them. It’s been a privilege and an honor, and I won’t soon forget it.
Thank you for everything, Hancock County. I hope to see you again soon.
Brian Heinemann is the outgoing sports editor of the Daily Reporter. Send comments to [email protected].