With final exams rolling around, so does my first semester as sports editor, and I must say it was a great learning experience.Upon becoming the new sports editor, I knew I had to fill the very large shoes that my mentor Chris Singleton left behind. I know it may take a while for me to get up to his level, but I am pleased with the way things ran for me during this semester.

Although at times the controversy seemed to never end with things such as the NCAA investigation and the resignation of former volleyball coach M.J. Engstrom, I must admit this semester has been fun for me in many ways.

Everything from the baseball team’s strong showing against both LSU and Tulane, to the women’s basketball team’s appearance in the conference tournament, this semester was full of excitement.

This semester also saw the rise of a new basketball star with Stefan Blaszczynski stepping up in big ways for the men’s basketball team.

Four coaches made the headlines during the semester as men’s basketball coach J.P. Piper, women’s basketball coach Mark Cook, tennis coach Dominic Modise and softball coach Jenny Parsons all made their coaching debuts for the Colonels.

Although the season didn’t go as planned for men’s basketball and tennis, I’m certain these teams are heading in the right direction.

If I had to give an award for coach of the semester, I would give that award to Coach Cook, who turned the women’s basketball team from pretenders to contenders throughout the course of just one season.

Colonels head football coach Jay Thomas began his second season as head football coach after having a productive signing day. Next season looks promising for the Colonels, and I can’t wait to hopefully follow them on their path to success.

Although not all news in sports was good news, with the resignation of Engstrom and the ensuing NCAA investigations, I learned to just take things as they come-good or bad. As much as I love Nicholls sports I had to learn that I have a job to do, and I had to do that job even if it meant reporting on something I may not have wanted.

The bottom line is no matter what happens, it’s the little things you remember. Things such as Tulane’s coach Rick Jones being ejected against Nicholls to my March Madness bracket being discarded after Wake lost in the second round.

Looking back at this semester I learned three important things. First, no matter how hard a person tries or how good of a job he thinks he may have done, there will always be criticism whether it’s constructive or negative. The second thing I learned is that I have a true passion for sports, and I couldn’t see myself doing any other thing. Finally, I learned that bologna and string cheese is not considered a romantic dinner (don’t ask.)

With the sports world currently up in shambles with the steroid controversy, this semester certainly provided it’s fair share of newsworthiness. In fact, it seemed as though at times there was no good news coming out of sports even though at times there were bright spots.

Some of the good news that happened in sports during the semester was the re-birth of Tiger Woods as he had strong showings at the Doral and the Masters.

All in all my first semester as sports editor was all that I expected and more. My writer Geoff, who isn’t nearly as handsome as I, and I did as good of a job as we could to offer a quality sports section. From fun editorials to serious issues, I can only imagine what is to come next semester. Until then be safe, have fun and I’ll see you next semester.