I was contemplating whether or not to write a final column. I’ve been with Pipe Dream for four years now and I’m grateful for everything they have given me and everything I have been able to do. But that’s not the reason I am writing this.

I want to focus more on the future than the past. Sports Editor Mark Macyk and I are graduating and Evan Drellich is taking over as editor in chief, so it’s going to be a new group in charge of the infamous Pipe Dream Sports.

To the readers, I ask you to be patient. It’s going to take a little while for the newcomers to get settled into the swing of things and like your favorite sports team, the section will have it’s ebb and flow.

And to the writers, I have my own words of advice for you. Whether you are writing for the paper because you are a sports fan or because you want to make a career out of it, or both, take it seriously. Students and people in the town read your work and you should care to always make your craft better.

Part of that, beyond the writing, is getting to know the athletes. The athletes care about their coverage just as much, if not more, than anyone else. But as much as you get to know them and become friendly with them, and maybe even see them Downtown, it’s important as a journalist to cover them without bias. As a student writer, of course we are all Bearcats fans, but it’s important to separate the fan in you and the writer.

I have learned over the years that if you focus on the sport and the athlete, not the individual and what they do in their personal life, it will make your writing a lot better and it’s what people want to read. Nobody wants to hear about an athlete’s weekend off the field, they want to know why he didn’t bunt with nobody out or why she didn’t force her defender to go left. A lot of our media and culture are becoming mixed and it’s important as a student journalist not to get sucked into that.

During post-game interviews or press conferences, don’t be scared to question. But ask smart, sports-related questions. Ask a question you don’t know the answer to. Of course there will be the basic, ‘what are your thoughts, where did things go right or wrong,’ but ask specific questions. Ask sports questions. You will not be respected only by the athletes and your peers, but it will show in your articles. Get information that a reader can’t see in the box score.

I’ve learned a lot over these last four years and to the future writers, you have the opportunity to be a part of something great so take advantage of it. To the readers, thanks and keep reading and don’t be scared to write in and give advice, and thank you for your support. And to the athletics department, thank you for always looking out for us and helping us out when we need it.

Being a sports writer for Pipe Dream is a lot more influential than you think. So whether you are covering track and field, basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, take it all seriously. Get to know your athletes and the sport, but most of all put some care into your work. The readers can tell and the athletes can tell — do it for them, but most of all do it for yourself. Work hard, improve your craft, have fun and report what you see.

With that formula, you will have nothing but success.