BY BREANN LENZMEIER
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Breann Lenzmeier, Sports Editor

Time flies when you are having fun, and that is the perfect way to describe my time as sports editor at The Advocate.

There have been high and low moments, but overall, I wouldn’t change the experience of these past couple years for anything.

My love of sports came at a very young age when my dad took me with him to practice, or had me in front of the television watching either SportsCenter or a live sporting event. I knew early in my life that somehow sports had to play a big part in my life. I began to realize that my love of telling stories and writing about sports would be a great avenue for me to start gaining experience.

Fast forward to when I came to MSUM; when I first saw there was a school newspaper and thought, “That would be a great way to get involved.” I cannot thank the former editor, Jasmine Maki, enough for taking a chance and letting someone she didn’t know write for The Advocate.

I began to write more stories, and when the position opened up, I thought “why not apply and see what happens?” A phrase often used in sports is, “the rest is history,” and that was true in my case.

I admit I was in over my head when I first started as editor, but things slowly got easier. Each week I learned and became more familiar with how layout worked, lining up interviews and keeping track of everything.

There are many people I have to thank for helping and working with me in my time as sports editor.

First and foremost, the student athletes. It has been an honor covering the teams and getting to know the student athletes. I commend you all on the hard work and dedication that you put in as athletes, on top of being students. I thank all of you for taking the time after games or during practices to be interviewed. Every interview added more depth to a story.

Next, the coaches at MSUM. You all have been very patient with me, took the time to get to know me and work with me in telling your team’s stories. I have a tremendous amount of respect for all of you, and I take pride in having the opportunity to have worked with you all the past couple years.

To Tom Berg, the MSUM assistant athletic director for media relations, who was my contact person in the athletic department. Tom was patient with me, provided guidance and lined up every interview I ever needed with a student athlete, coach or staff member of Dragon Athletics. For countless emails and phone calls to get everything done every week, I owe a debt of gratitude to you. I appreciate you taking the time each week to help me get interviews lined up.

To Doug Peters and the staff at Dragon Athletics. Thank you for taking the time for interviews and providing insight into the world of athletics. I have gained a deep appreciation for everyone, and I have learned a lot.

To all the writers who I have worked with the past couple years. Everyone brought so much to the sports section, and I am forever grateful for each one of you. Thank you for your interest in writing and for making the sports section the best it could be each week.

To all the readers of The Advocate. Everyone who reads the paper each week are who keeps it going. The positive feedback knowing that people have taken an interest in what you are writing goes a long way. Thank you for spreading the word about The Advocate and for allowing me the opportunity to serve as sports editor for a couple years.

Lastly, to the members of The Advocate staffs of the past couple years. It has been great working alongside everyone and getting to know each one of you better. I cannot thank you all enough for the past couple years. It has been an honor working with all of you and being a part of something great.

There have been a number of memorable events the past couple years, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to cover them for The Advocate. From the football team claiming back the ‘Battle Axe’ to the men’s basketball team winning the first conference title in over 30 years, shows Dragon Athletics continues to go in the right direction.

Great things are happening with Dragon Athletics. They are a way to showcase MSUM and to show that the university is a great place to acquire a higher education. I enjoyed attending all the events that I could. I tried my hardest to be fair, report the facts and tell the story in a way that was honest and truthful. For everyone who has read my stories these past couple years, I say thank you. Thank you for taking a chance on me as the sports editor and allowing me to grow as a journalist.

I firmly believe that Dragon Athletics will continue to be competitive in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and will work hard to bring more recognition and pride to MSUM.

When people said to me, “It’s a great day to be a Dragon!” I sometimes didn’t know what they were talking about. Now, as my time at MSUM comes to a close, I truly believe that it is a great day to be a Dragon.

I will miss covering the Dragons, but I will be watching from the stands knowing Dragon pride is alive and well at MSUM. I take pride in what I have accomplished as the sports editor, and I can’t thank everyone enough. Continue to show your Dragon pride and know that it truly is a great day to be a Dragon.