May 30, 2016 4 min read

Talking and writing about myself has always been an arduous task. I write about people every day with ease, but typing my thoughts or emotions has never been easy.

Frankly, I’ve never seen a need to make myself the story. Since I started at the Observer-Reporter in September, 2013, I’ve been encouraged by my bosses to write more columns.

Apparently people would care what I have to say about high school sports, but I never wanted to make the beat about me.

My work is all about the athletes and coaches who make it all possible. That’s why I never thought I’d be writing this particular column, but a goodbye and thank you is necessary.

If you haven’t heard, today is my last day at the O-R. I’m extremely excited for the future, but I’ll be forever grateful for the people in the coverage area, particularly the athletes, coaches and administrators who never saw my work as bothersome.

Without all of you, I would have been a bored sports writer.

During my first days on the job, Mike Kovak and Jason Mackey, who both previously worked as the high school sports beat writer at the O-R, told me one caveat that stuck with me the past 32 months: the people in the coverage area are great and always value the relationships you build with coaches.

Those words rang true and I’d offer the same advice to the person that replaces me. Between Ed Dalton calling me in my first days to offer a story idea and Guy Montecalvo encouraging me, I couldn’t have been more lucky. There are so many people to mention, but if you answered a phone call from me on a Sunday morning or agreed to talk to me on your lunch break, thank you.

I’ll be forever grateful that Chris Dugan, the O-R‘s sports editor, took a chance on a 23-year-old kid from Kent State and stuck with me through everything. The same goes for Joe Tuscano, who worked with me in the early days, and Dale Lolley, who always offered sound advice. Those three work tirelessly to cover this area. People often ask how we are able to create a great product with a four-person staff. Those guys and their dedication make it possible.

I can’t forget Kovak, who set the standard for hard work with the high school sports reporter position and I merely tried to follow it. I’m confident whoever follows in my footsteps will do the same.

Since I decided to write this column, I’ve been trying to pick my favorite memories from my time at the O-R. There are plenty of games and individual performances that were a pleasure to cover, including the story of Luke Blanock, Wash High’s state playoff run in basketball this season and Brett Brumbaugh’s record-breaking season. There were stories of triumph and tragedy, and I hope you enjoyed reading them all.

Everyone knows high school football is a pretty big deal in Ohio, so I didn’t know what to expect when I moved here. I quickly found the people here are just as passionate as anyone and it made my job a blast. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to start my career.

Thank you to everyone who reached out over the past two weeks with well wishes. Your words of encouragement will not be forgotten as I prepare for the next challenge.

I’m proud of the work I’ve done and what I am leaving behind. I won’t use this to advertise where I’m headed, but I’m not going far. I will be covering Pitt football and men’s basketball, but I’ll still keep tabs on every school in the O-R’s coverage area.

I’ve always believed you need to be proud of where you come from. I was raised in Boardman, Ohio and learned how to be an adult at Kent State University, but it is Washington, Pa. that made me the writer I am today.

For that and all of you, I’ll forever be grateful.

Lance Lysowski can be reached at llysowski@observer-reporter.com