the end of the preps
My football assignment with the Pasadena Star News/SGV Tribune is coming to an end as we head into the CIF playoffs. The editors have emailed all the contributors saying that some of us will only get to cover a few more games, while others will be invited to come back and work during the upcoming basketball season. Regardless of whether I get invited back or not, it was a great learning experience for me.
Mostly, I learned to write under very strict deadlines of game nights, and I also learned to economize on words to paint a picture, considering most of our stories were only a few inches in length. There is also something very intoxicating and beautiful about the high school game. Maybe it's the fact that there are no commercial time outs, no commentators spewing off about "Fantasy" players and stats, no conctract disputes or impending player strikes, just simple competition at its purest form.
I'm going to miss driving out to these games, looking forward to each matchup, watching the mascots, bands and boosters do their thing while standing on the sideline listening to the various sounds and comments made by coaches, players and others associated with each game.
The editors have said there may be some openings coming up in December for a chance to make some extra cash for contributors working in the newsroom and I have already signed up for consideration.
