When I first came to NIU two years ago, I joined the Northern Star sports section for two reasons: I like sports and I like writing.

I was excited by the opportunity to cover all the different teams, working with them and somehow sharing a glimpse of their spotlight as they succeeded.

The only problem is, for the last two years, NIU sports have been at a bit of a standstill. The men’s basketball team had a combined record of 13-45, the women’s team was just under .500 with a 29-30 record and the football team was just 9-16.

Looking back, I wonder if I would have joined the Star had I known the sports teams would have had such struggles?

Then, I focused on the moments — Garrett Wolfe, spinning out of a tackle and accelerating for a 68-yard touchdown against Buffalo and then giving all the credit to his offensive line.

Stephanie Raymond, scoring 20 of her 30 points in the second half, willing NIU to a three-point victory over Toledo.

Come to think of it, I was downright spoiled during my first year here. Athletes such as Wolfe and Raymond don’t come around every day, and, as demonstrated by their professional careers, I’m not the only one to think that.

It would be a mistake if I didn’t include watching the intensity of Kate McCullagh night in and night out on the volleyball court and the relentlessness of Gina Guide.

I feel bad for the person who told Guide, Wolfe and Raymond they didn’t have the size to compete. About as bad as I feel for the opposing quarterbacks having to deal with MAC Player of the Year Larry English last season.

While this year may not have been full of stars, it had its moments — ones that will pay dividends in the future. I can’t wait until three years from now, when Jake Anderson makes first-team All-MAC and leads NIU to a MAC Championship. It’ll bring back memories of watching him as a freshman snake his way between defenders and get to the basket, all the while making it look easy.

Then, there were the unexpected moments, like hearing the excitement in softball player Allie Parker’s voice as she talked about hitting two home runs in a single game when she hadn’t hit one all season.

Or saying goodbye to former Athletics Director Jim Phillips, who always made time to sit and talk with the Northern Star, even though bigger media outlets were around. Phillips was followed by waving hello to Jeff Compher, who shares many things in common with Phillips, including his accessibility. Before meeting him, I thought there was no chance anyone could replace Phillips.

I was wrong.

So was it worth spending the last two years of my life walking to the Convocation Center in the rain or sitting in a crowded, sweaty press box at Mary M. Bell Field?

You bet.