Before I accepted the job at the Eagle, I spoke with a sports editor at a major, major metro newspaper and asked him what I should do. At the time, I was choosing between the Kansas State beat here and the West Virginia beat at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. As it turns out, the P-G never made the hire and froze the position, but I didn’t know that was going to be the case.
Anyway, I asked the sports editor, and this was his advice:
“Go cover K-State because Bill Snyder is out there, and with all of the junior college kids, there’s bound to be a lot of news to break.”
The punchline is that Bill left but is now back, and in three years in between, the amount of news on the beat was far, far more than I (or the sports editor) could have ever imagined. It was just what I needed, and it was essentially what I set out to accomplish.
Having done so, my work here is complete.
Now, I’m not that cold, and it’s not that easy. People would always ask where I was from, and then the next question was always, “What brought you to Kansas?” Without hesitation, I’d answer, “The job,” but at the same time, at first, I understood because during those few moments when I wasn’t working, I’d wonder if it was worth it.
After four years, it most certainly was — and then some.
Of course, I’m going to miss it. And I’ll miss all of you, which is funny because my co-worker, Joanna Chadwick, asked me Thursday what I’d miss the most and I drew a blank.
I’ve made so many unlikely friends, readers who, for some reason, connected with something I’d written and then want to connect in real time, to meet up or have a drink. Some of my fellow beat guys were mystified why I’d do such a thing, but I didn’t see the harm.
So there I was, on Bob Huggins’ return to Cincinnati as K-State’s new basketball coach, escorted around the Queen City by a very creative young man who goes by the name of “chum1” at ksufans.com. Later, when Huggins and the Wildcats played at California, I met up with one of my favorites from the Q&A, Richard. I crashed in hotels in Aggieville with my pal Josh Shea, a.k.a. “Trim Reaper” on ksufans.com. There have been KATPAKs — if you have to ask, well, that’s a shame because you’re missing out — and lots of other random interactions with readers.
I remember those moments more than I do some of the actual action or the stories behind the scenes.
Sure, there have been some unforgettable characters.
Bob Krause? Oh, he’s slick. Yes, I think it’s entirely possible he had a “wink, wink” deal with Gary Patterson, but it’s going to take a journalist far better than me to produce any evidence. Hopefully my successor.
Frank Martin? Great guy. A little paranoid, no doubt, but he’s a keeper.
Bill Snyder? Nothing but respect for everything he has accomplished at K-State.
Jon Wefald? An influential but odd man who will never come to grips with how his last few months transpired.
Josh Freeman? A better kid than he’s been cast as, and I hope he succeeds in Tampa Bay.
Ron Prince? Well, if you don’t have anything nice to say…
Mike Beasley? Just a big kid.
I could go on, but I won’t bore you. If you’ve read this far, it’s a miracle.
So let me wrap this up:
I never thought I’d be here four years, and I don’t think I was alone in that sentiment. But I was, and it’s only made me better, even though I have no idea what’s next. I’m better for the experience, and I’ll never forget my time covering K-State athletics.
I hope you won’t either.
Oh, my dad said he still plans to follow the Cats — he keeps asking about Rodney McGruder — and maybe we’ll come back out at some point and catch a game — we’ll let you all know.
Thanks for embracing and supporting me.
19 Comments
God speed Jeffrey Martin. We are all better off having know you.
For one final time Jeff, I am raising my glass to the air. This time, for you.
Adios amigo.
Good luck and God Bless J-Mart. You’ll definitely be missed. I’m already jealous of the fans of the beat you end up landing.
vaya con dios, jeffrey.
We’re going to miss you here. Best luck going forward. No doubt, you’ll do well.
Best of luck J-Mart! We will miss you! And hey, try to help the Eagle hire somebody to your position who is atleast qualified and will care about the university and us fans just like you did (you said you’re not looking for a job for a while, you have some free time). Hold tryouts or something…
I just don’t want another slimeball on the beat for my school like before you got here.
I’ll miss your enormous contribution to ksu sports Jeff….Tell Mom Beaz I said “hey girl,” and if you ever find yourself in KC again be sure to let ‘clams, lsoc and I know…Katpak’r reunions are even better than standard pakr’s.
Stay smelling terrific (at least you LOOk like you smell terrific) and check in with us on fans once in a while.
God Bless. Wish you all the best. You will be missed.
Good luck, J-Mart. You will be missed.
Good luck bro. Stop by from time to time.
You the man.
Really sad, but in a good way.
Spread your wings jmart!!!
Thanks for covering the cats.
Good luck in the future.
Thanks for everything you did over your time at the Eagle. You will be missed. You may be gone, but your words will stick with me for a long time. Good luck with whatever the future brings to you.
Good luck, Jeff.
Jmart…. kick a little ass out there and make sure you pass the word on that we aren’t as backwards out here in KS as most people assume. I mean, we are the only humans on earth that didnt evolve, so that hurts us. And the Wizard of Oz will always hang over our head. But we dont suck.
Good luck Buddy.
Jeff, Thanks for the mention. The pleasure was ALL mine. Hope you’ll stay in touch wherever you go. Wine country is still calling. Richard
I too would like to say that I enjoyed your work and wish you the best of luck in the future.
I said as much to you at a BB game last year and you were very nice and gave me a half time stat sheet. I will always remember that.
Make sure you keep us posted on where you land so we can follow your work.
I will miss your good info and viewpoint on things, as well as being able to say, “Well, the guy I read says … ”
Best of luck!!