I joined the Northern Star sports staff in January 2008 because I want to be a sports writer. I knew I would like working here, but I didn’t expect to cover some of the events or interview some of the people that I did.

In just a year and a half, I have gotten to cover the Independence Bowl, the NIU-Minnesota game at the Metrodome, as well as the NIU-Notre Dame baseball game at U.S. Cellular Field last April.

I can’t forget NIU’s visit to Ball State last November either. We didn’t get back to DeKalb until 5 a.m. the next day, but it was worth it.

The people I have had the chance to interview include Michael Turner, Justin McCareins and Garrett Wolfe.

I also got to cover Larry English, and during the fall, I had no idea he would get drafted as high as he did. Looking back on it, I’ll be able to say I was able to cover NIU’s first, and probably only, first-round draft pick.

Covering the events that I have has spoiled me. When I get a full-time job somewhere, I’ll probably start off covering high school sports. Nothing against doing that, but I think I would rather spend a Saturday afternoon covering NIU football.

Hopefully, future sports writers at the Northern Star can have the same experience I did. The football team has a strong future and should have a few more bowl games in them. The basketball team should be able to contend for the MAC title the next few years. And Jeff Compher, can we get another baseball game at U.S. Cellular Field?

I just hope I can have some experiences like I have had at the Northern Star in the future.