‘You’re that guy who covers local sports’

I cannot help but to think that there is a touch of irony in the fact that this quote, of which I have been reminded on several occasions in the past month or so, is attributed to Alexander Graham Bell, one of the pioneers of the tele-communication industry.

Like many within the community, I was certainly disappointed when the local sports coverage fell victim to the recent cross-Canada budget cuts that were announced recently at Eastlink.

Yet, it’s difficult to be terribly embittered about a wonderful relationship that allowed me to wake up each and every morning looking forward to the stories that lay ahead.

It was this same deeply-rooted passion for local sports that originally provided the impetus for the launch of SudburySports.com some seven years ago.

While I was allowed to maintain the website that I had conceived, my time at Persona/Eastlink as the main sports anchor, forged the opportunity of completely immersing myself in the world of amateur athletics, creating countless contacts stretched across an incredible variety of athletic endeavours.

During the nearly six years I spent working with community television, a link with those routinely involved with amateur athletics was gradually established.

“You’re that guy who covers local sports.”

It became something of a calling card, I suppose, and one which I am exceedingly excited will remain in place for hopefully many years to come.

I was well aware I would be able to continue the work I had dreamed of doing when SudburySports.com first hit the marketplace in January 2004. But I remained hopeful that perhaps another opportunity — one which dovetailed nicely with the sports coverage to which I have grown accustomed — might well present itself.

Those dreams were realized pretty quickly, as Northern Life approached me with a proposal, a proposal that aligned itself so directly with my passion for local sports that the fit seemed only natural.

It is with anticipation, excitement and a great deal of appreciation that I step into the role of “contributing sports editor” for the twice-weekly publication for which I have been penning a weekly column for the past two years.

The challenge to take on a more expanded role, enjoying a presence in both the Tuesday and Thursday editions of the paper, is one which I undertake with pleasure. Not only will it provide the medium to share even more stories to an incredible diverse readership in the region, but the new role will also create a venue for some specialized features to which I already look forward to.

The first Tuesday story of each and every month will provide a chance to reminisce of days gone by, wandering down the path of Sudbury and area sporting lore with those around us who lived in a far different era and time.

Like anyone who has followed sports in the Nickel City, it has become obvious to me that the rich texture of sports history in the north is something to be treasured, shared with those, like myself, not fortunate enough to have witnessed it firsthand.

The third Tuesday will be devoted to the coaches, of all shapes and sizes, ages and demeanours, men and women who excel in an environment that allows them to share their knowledge with young, eager minds.

In between, the story possibilities are never-ending. Such is the beauty of sports in Sudbury, the depth of athletic involvement, that there are more than enough stories for all of us within the industry who truly relish the chance to share them with you, the reader.

Many of these stories will appear on NorthernLife.ca, providing viewers with quick snippets of what’s happening in the various sports leagues around the city.

I have been asked before what exactly spawned this love of following the sports scene in Sudbury and I honestly remain, to this day, unsure of a clear and definite answer. What I do know is that it is a sincere enjoyment for all levels of competition, from recreational sport to the elite greatness we witness from time to time.

It is an unabashed pleasure derived from a whole spectrum of different sports, in knowing that almost each and every participant is a story into himself (or herself), appreciating that not all effort will necessarily be rewarded with the end goals being sought.

And yet the athletes persevere. I look forward to sharing the stories of those journeys for many years to come.

Randy Pascal is the founder or SudburySports.com and has joined Northern Life as a contributing sports editor.