Two and a half months ago on January 15, Denver took a chance on not only me, but the well being of Rock Chalk Talk, as well, when he brought me on as an Author here at this fine, fine blog. I had enjoyed RCT immensely for the previous 15 months, but was more than excited to take on the greater responsibility (perhaps the greatest of my relatively short life thus far) that came with being an "official" Author for such a highly-esteemed network as SB Nation.
I spent the next two and a half months putting forth my greatest effort, expanding my sports (college basketball in particular) knowledge and practicing and re-practicing my raw writing skills. I've done some good and some not so good work here at RCT in that time.
As you may know, this past year I've been caught in Life Limbo about where my future path lies. I'm currently taking a year off school while I try and figure out what it is exactly that I want to do with the rest of my life. I've always had an insatiable passion for sports and anything that goes along with it. Hence my taking to RCT and moving forward as an Author. Writing has always been something that comes naturally (if you can believe that after reading me for two and a half months) to me.
Anyways, I digress. Get to the point. I've always been interested in the idea of being a professional sports journalist. I've been reading the sports section of the Kansas City Star since I was about five years old. My love for KU started in the second grade with an attractive recent KU grad for a student teacher. I'd read the paper everyday for KU news. I'd watch ESPN non-stop throughout high school. Then, in October of 2008, I stumbled upon RCT - one of the greatest things to ever happen to me. As I stated in this comment last summer, RCT has been far more than just a blog that I visit daily. It's been a great place to express creativity and escape from "real world" drama. I've encountered some of the coolest KU fans I've (n)ever met in my life.
Again, I digress. I've shared about my recent past regarding my future and what that entails for a reason. Of late, I've spent a lot of time contemplating and weighing my options. And, today it brings me great joy to finally have a bit of closure on the whole ordeal.
As I said, sports journalist is my ideal dream job. In order to chase after a dream, sometimes you have to make sacrifices. Hence this announcement. Effective May 1, I'll be leaving my post as Author here at RCT. I've enjoyed it beyond what words can express. But, I'll be starting summer classes as soon as the spring semester ends, so I'll be taking time to prepare myself until then.
Regrettably, the sacrifices don't end there. As I'm not quite made of money, (RCT isn't paying the bills like I expected it to. Only kidding; we don't get paid - this should be incentive to want to take my spot on the blogroll.) I won't be able to make out-of-state tuition to go to KU, so I've recently been accepted into and enrolled in the J-School at the University of Missouri.
Obviously, with spending my everyday living in Columbia, there will be a great conflict of interest with writing for RCT, which is why I've decided to step down. I've been a Jayhawk for going on 15 years now, and that is something that will never change; not even with this looming transition in my life. But, after many long conversations with my family and outside advisers, this is the decision I've come to in order to reach my ultimate career goal. With any luck, Bill C. over at Rock M Nation will welcome me in and allow me to apply my chosen craft as a contributor in whatever capacity.
My allegiance to KU will never waiver. And, I hope you can all appreciate the amount of thought and consideration that has gone into making this decision. I've formed friendships with so many of the readers and commentors here; ones that I'd hate to lose completely. I'll still find my way over to RCT from time to time to weigh in and share some of my great, mis-informed opinions. But, until then, thank you all.
And, one last thing. If you didn't think this was the most difficult decision ever, (not only accepting my future alma mater, but leaving RCT) then consider the fact that this is what I've resorted to to notify Denver, as well. He took a hell of a chance on me and I can't say how thankful I am for it. Besides, would you want him mad at you? (Not funny right now? Okay. KC out.)