For as long as I can remember, I’ve been in love with sports. Whether it was years of season tickets to Orlando Magic games, spending my Sundays in a T.Y. Hilton jersey or spending all of March watching as much college basketball as possible, I’ve been obsessed with the game.
Sports represent the best of humanity — the fires of competition, raw emotion, the relentless drive to be better. But if sports have taught me anything, it’s the value of a team. Without a well-built and cohesive team, it’s nearly impossible to win.
Life was my game, and Technician gave me the best team I could have ever asked for.
To Colby Trotter and Aidan Carlson, I’ll never stop reliving our glory days. From hours of sports arguments to long walks across campus for Chipotle to the miracle buzzer beater in our final intramural game, there was never a dull moment. You guys weren’t just my coworkers, but my brothers — guys I could have the hard conversations with and always rely on for a laugh. Our bond will last long beyond college, and I’m incredibly grateful for our friendship.
To Daniel Susann, you are one of the most reliable and hardworking people I know. For an entire year, I watched you hand-make a crossword puzzle every week and start a podcast from the ground up. Once you put your mind to it, you simply can’t be stopped, especially if I find myself in the unfortunate situation of being between you and the basket. There isn’t an editor who knows more about Technician history than you. If I ever need an offensive rebound or a random callback to “The Sopranos,” I know exactly who to go to.
To Brennan Weiss, you got called up to the big leagues earlier than expected and became the biggest acquisition of the year. You stepped up to the plate and swung for the fences, making an impact from day one. I’m extraordinarily confident leaving the sports section in your hands, and I’m excited to watch you continue the legacy of such a storied section.
To Nicole Bharrat, you went from a random coworker and neighbor to one of my most trusted friends. Whenever I needed someone to talk to or had a random question, no matter how dumb, you were there. After an outlandish Halloween on Bourbon Street and countless other adventures, you became like a little sister, making it your life’s goal to pester me at any given time. As Managing Editor, you turned our ideas into reality, and for that, I’m forever grateful.
To Skye Crawford, you were the best boss I’ve ever had, and an even better friend, even though it took you three months to learn my name. Think about where Technician was when you told me in October 2024 that you wanted to be the next Editor-in-Chief, and look at where we are now. That’s because of your hard work and dedication to journalism, and your trust in others. Thank you for your belief in me (and for finally remembering my name).
To Jakob Halbur, the Dwight Schrute to my Jim Halpert, always there to match my sarcasm and backhanded jokes. From the hours we spent on sports trivia to our Pigskin Pick’em rivalry, I couldn’t imagine a better frenemy. Technician will undoubtedly thrive in your hands as its next Editor-in-Chief, and I can’t wait to see where you take it next. As your close friend who wants nothing but the best for you, I hope you get another decade of Todd Bowles.
To Alex Manuel, your photography skills are second to none. A fellow basketball aficionado, your photos brought the words on the paper to life. Thank you for the countless hours you’ve poured into your craft, and for the introduction to D.P. Dough after Dreamville Fest.
To Hector Cazares-Medellin, secretly one of the funniest people in the office. I’ll miss your outlandish one-liners that somehow only I could hear. You were a fantastic producer for the podcast and brought Technician media to a new level.
To Olivia Smith and Kelsey Bohn, I lost track of all the crazy conversations we’ve had over the half-wall and the crazy playlists you would force us to listen to on the way to dinner as I nearly flew through the roof going over a speedbump. You’ll always be honorary sports section in my book, especially since we taught y’all everything you know about sports.
To Jordan Birkner, one of the wildest people I’ve ever met. Unfortunately, your brain works in the exact same way that mine does. Every story you told was wilder than the one before it, so much so that I’m convinced that your memoir would win a Pulitzer Prize. Thank you for the countless laughs and unwavering friendship.
To Ally Tennant and Matthew Burkhart, I’ve had my fair share of out-of-office adventures with both of you, and think about them fondly; I still haven’t been back to Devolve since, Ally. Matthew, I’m excited to see what wild jobs you find yourself in next. I’ll miss our weekly lemur updates.
To Rory Moon, Amaya Hush, Rachel New, Jackson Davenport and the rest of the Vol. 105 and Vol. 106 staff and writers, if I named all of you, I think I would be burned at the stake for submitting a 3,000-word article. With that said, y’all were the cogs that kept Technician running, and I’m truly proud of the product we’ve put on the stands over the last two years.
My grandfather once told me to do what I loved, and I’d never work a day in my life. I never understood how right he was until I joined Technician.
I spent every Sunday and Tuesday evening in the office, and covered hundreds of sporting events. Yet, it never felt like work, like it was some sort of chore. It felt like home.
Like every great season, this one has come to an end.
The deadlines, the late nights in the office, the scramble to finish a story — those moments will fade into memories. But the people won’t. The friendships, the laughs and the lessons learned along the way will stick with me long after the final issue rolls off the press.
Technician gave me more than a byline — it gave me a team.
As I hang up the jersey and step away from the sports desk, I do so knowing I was lucky enough to play alongside the best teammates I could have ever asked for.
VDM out.
