THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 17, 1995 TAG: 9512150217
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
It's been more than a year and a half since I first arrived in Virginia, and although I've enjoyed covering the goings-on in Chesapeake, it's time to move along - to Greensboro, N.C., the home of ACC basketball and my boyfriend.
Patti Walsh will be taking over the reins as Clipper sports editor tomorrow, moving out to Chesapeake after doing time as sports editor of the Norfolk Compass.
In the nearly 18 months I've been here, I've worked with a lot of different people. I'd like to use this space to thank a few of them.
Since we just finished football season, let's start there. I'll miss Deep Creek's Jerry Carter. He proved to be the very best kind of coach - one who is successful, but who keeps football in perspective. It's no fluke that his teams are so good.
I've also enjoyed working with Western Branch's Lew Johnston and Indian River's Bob Parker. Both coaches were always good about taking the time to talk, even when I had to bother them at home. And nice men, to boot.
Certain football players have stood out as well over the past 18 months. Western Branch's Dre Bly, Malik Cook and Daryl Walton. Indian River's James Boyd, Shawn Green and Jeremy Bridges. Oscar Smith's Kelvin ``The Beef'' Bethea. Deep Creek's Dee Harrell, Joe Verdi and George Miller.
And lastly, Deon Dyer. You could fill a book with what's been written about Dyer already, but I don't think I've ever met a more stand-up guy. He's a great player, true. More importantly, he's a fine young man.
A special mention for Indian River's L.T. Johnson, who made the best play of the Tallwood game - telling me that an extension cord from a headset was about to wrap around my feet and trip me up.
It's never easy to get information from a high school unless you've got a cooperative athletic director in your corner. Great Bridge's Wayne Martin, Deep Creek's Carl Stone and Western Branch's Chris Ake are three of the best.
And special thanks to Anne Klein, a secretary at Western Branch who always seemed to know everything I didn't. What a resource!
Two area volleyball coaches deserve thanks - Indian River's Linda Rice and Western Branch's Jim Stanko. Both have successful programs - Rice's usually contains the class valedictorian or salutatorian - and Stanko has been instrumental in getting the All-District and All-Region teams to the media.
When it comes to middle school sports, no one has been more helpful than Martha Lowery. Every week Martha calls the Clipper office to report scores and standings - she's the biggest reason why middle schools get covered.
For sheer comic relief, no one was better than Ed Keil. Keil is probably best known as the ``voice of the Tigers'' at Oscar Smith High School athletic events. I've had the pleasure of serving with Chicken Ed at football and basketball games and wrestling matches, and it's been a roller coaster ride.
And many thanks to Little Eric, one of Keil's sidekicks in the pressbox, who played spotter and go-fer, engaged in spur-of-the-moment football picks, and was nice enough to split a bag of peanuts with me during every game.
My favorite sports moment in Chesapeake over the last 18 months? The first Hampton-Deep Creek matchup in 1994, still the best football game I've ever seen.
Worst moment? Being chewed on by hordes of killer mosquitoes at this year's cross country district tournament at Churchland. I still have the marks.
One thing that has made my job so enjoyable was the people I worked with in the Chesapeake bureau. Deloris Moyler showed infinite patience while showing me the ropes, and she eventually became like an older sister (I won't say mom) to me, opening her home on many occasions.
City editor Kerry Sipe and Janelle LaBouve also made my transition easier.
Eric Feber, the Clipper's arts and entertainment guy, is probably one of the only other people who shares my love for music and. . . European soccer. Having someone in the office who also knew who Finidi George and Patrick Kluivert are was a treat.
Jenny O'Donnell was the lunch buddy extrordinaire, and Susan Smith gave me valuable insight on Great Bridge wrestling, among other things.
Mac Daniel (Mac Daddy!) introduced me to the wonders of Bergey's ice cream and is the only person living who can pull off wearing plaid with prints. I could always count on Tony Germanotta to talk Phillies with me.
In the sports department, I'll mention Carol Senechal, who was my soccer contact and an inspiration in dealing with the public; Chic Riebel, the editor without whom few things would be possible; the aforementioned Patti Walsh; and Paul White. Paul, whom I will miss most of all, the guy who always called me during deadline, gave me too many wrestling stories, and played therapist and devil's advocate for me on more occasions than I can count.
Also, I couldn't have asked to work with better people than Steve Carlson, Kevin Doepp, Jim Ducibella, Rea Farmer, Carl Fincke, Jami Frankenberry, Alan Hubbard, Ed Miller, Harry Minium, Bob Molinaro, Rich Radford, Tom Robinson and Lee Tolliver.
Finally, a special all-encompassing thanks to Bill Leffler, Portsmouth Currents sports editor and the grand old man of The Virginian-Pilot sports department.
When I first arrived in Chesapeake, I sent messages over the computer system to Bill nearly every day. They usually began ``What does'' or ``How do I''. I probably tested Bill's patience a few times. But there isn't anyone who could have been more gracious about sharing his expertise and know-how. His tips and advice were invaluable.
And Bill even let me beat him in the football picks race. by CNB