I’m not sure I ever had more fun as a journalist than I did during the two years I spent as sports editor and sports columnist of the Tribune in Greeley, Colorado.
It was my soft landing when the St. Louis Globe-Democrat folded, and even though it was a much smaller paper, getting to run my own department and making more money made it worth it.
And of course, I loved Colorado.
One of the greatest paradoxes of my life was that for years I regretted leaving Greeley after two years. But four years later in California, I met Nicole and fell in love with her, getting two wonderful children in the bargain. And now six grandchildren, none of which would have happened if I had stayed in Colorado.
But oh, I loved Colorado.
I have only been back in the state twice, in 1992 to cover an NFL game in Denver, and 24 years later to attend the funeral of one of the best friends I ever had.
I didn’t make it up to Greeley either time.
It’s strange, though. When I moved there in the fall of 1986, Greeley was a city of about 50,000 people. Now it’s twice that size.
I wrote 4-5 columns a week as sports editor, and once each week I did one that was five or six short items. I called it “Short takes from a journey through a disorganized mind,” and part of it was usual humorous.
I had one bit in March 1987 where I riffed on questions we wished we could ask basketball coaches along with all the regular stuff. I had half a dozen, at least a few of which were topical to the time.
— Is either coach a personal friend of Pee Wee Herman?
— Were disciples of Oral Roberts present at the game trying to collect money for a 900-foot statue of Jesus?
— Did the defensive strategy of your team include the use of concealed weapons?
— Were any of the gate receipts from your game diverted into Swiss bank accounts for delivery to the Nicaraguan contras?
— In any blue food served at your school’s refreshment stand?
— Is the National Anthem recognizable when played by your school’s pep band?
It was a lot of fun.