The final say

I'm back and I'm out -- all at once.

In the midst of new career opportunities, I am retiring from the sports writing world.

It has been a pleasure covering SEMO sports -- primarily football and basketball -- and I will miss the many conversations that have arisen from certain topics regarding these programs. I will still be in Southeast Missouri, and I plan on doing my best to keep up with the latest in the athletic department. After all, there will always be a spot in my sports-saturated mind for the Redhawks.

Thanks to all of you who have read and commented on my stuff. I have been lucky to be around such awesome sports fans.

In closing, thanks to Jamie Hall for all he's done for me and for this site. I have considered Jamie a good friend of mine since the day I met him for a job interview at the Southeast Missourian newspaper almost eight years ago. I have no doubt he will continue to give sports fans reasons to visit the best sports site in Southeast Missouri.

Honza named new SID at Southeast

Jeff Honza, Southern Illinois University Associate Director of Media Services, was recently hired as the new Sports Information Director at SEMO, according to a source close to Honza.

He will take over the job that was vacated by Ron Hines.

According to his profile on SIUSalukis.com, Honza served as the Associate Director of Media Services for nine years at the school and was the sports information contact for football and baseball.

He has also worked at the University of Minnesota and Florida Southern College. Furthermore, he has worked major events such as the NBA playoffs, the 2003 MLB All-Star Game, and the 1999 NHL All-Star Game.

The Wooster, Ohio-born Honza received his Bachelor's degree from and played football at Ashland (Ohio) University. His profile states he is in the process of earning his Master's at SIU (although I'm not sure how updated the site is).