It’s nothing but a childhood dream.
Lately, I’ve found myself watching episodes of Dan LeBatard’s show with Stagots on YouTube every day after work. For those who aren’t familiar with the show, it’s basically a video podcast show that covers sports topics among related items related to pop culture and news.
But on a deeper level, that show was the first sports radio show I ever saw on television (at the time) just over a decade ago.
It was one of those bad days where I ate a lot of Gatorade and salty crackers. Like any 13-year-old, I usually watched Jerry Springer, Maury, and all the other dirty gossip shows that kids watch when they’re sick. But somehow, that day, I found this show and was hooked.
I thought, “It would be cool to do this.” It was then that I realized for the first time that I might someday become a sports journalist.
Now, 10 years later, as I become editor-in-chief of The Covington News, it all feels like a surreal moment.
Going from news editor to editor-in-chief may seem like a daunting task, and in some ways it still is. But one of the things I’m most looking forward to about my promotion is digging deeper into the Newton County sports scene.
I got my first taste of that in January when I covered boys and girls basketball for the Social Circle of Jasper County. Immediately after watching the back-and-forth men’s game and the dominant performance of Social Circle’s freshman (at the time) women’s big three, I knew there was something special in the county’s sports scene.
Fast forward to August, and I had the opportunity to cover both the Eastside and Newton football teams. I felt the same way I felt a few months ago about the special talent that both teams have.
Newton County’s sports world is filled with talent, thrilling and fascinating. That’s why I’m looking forward to learning more about all the sports in the county.
When a leader changes, several changes usually occur. There may be some changes that you may or may not notice, but our goals remain the same. Our mission is to provide the most comprehensive sports coverage of any outlet in the county.
And to be honest, I think we already have that. This is a credit to our amazing sports editor, Garrett Pitts. I’ve spoken to him privately and I have no problem telling him publicly how lucky we are to have him here at The News. I know he will continue to do great things in the athletic department.
I also think that our many sports correspondents, who contribute in different ways, are all doing a great job. It’s truly a top-notch team.
For me, my job is to make sure we continue to be the best in sports in Newton County. I’ll also help fill in the gaps as well, covering games, writing features, and continuing my spicy Falcons column after the Falcons inevitably find their way to the Falcons (Week 3 (See Chiefs vs. Falcons game).
Anyway, I can’t wait to keep bringing you great content to my readers.
And selfishly, I can’t wait to fulfill my long-lost dream of becoming a sports reporter when I was 13 years old. That kid sitting at home watching the Rubatard show with Gatorade and Tylenol must be excited right now.
Evan Newton is the managing editor of The Covington News. You can reach us at enewton@covnews.com.
