Image Source: Cody Jones
Key Takeaways
- The author, Cody Jones, is leaving the Summit Daily News after four years of covering sports in Summit County.
- During his time at the paper, he covered numerous high school sports teams and events, including football, cross-country, soccer, and more.
- Jones developed a passion for coaching young athletes and will be leaving to become a college cross-country and track coach in Utah.
- He expresses his gratitude to the community, athletes, and colleagues for making his time at the Summit Daily News special.
- Jones encourages readers to "keep chasing your dreams, whatever they may be."
Introduction to Summit County Sports
The author, Cody Jones, is reflecting on his time at the Summit Daily News, where he spent four years covering sports in Summit County. As he prepares to leave the paper and the county, he is taking a moment to look back on the experiences and memories he has made. Jones recalls his childhood, growing up in the Windsor area on the Front Range, where he would often wake up to watch "SportsCenter" or "College Gameday" and then rush downstairs to grab the paper for the sports section. He says, "My fascination with high school sports is in large part because of the stories I read in my local paper." This fascination led him to pursue a career in sports journalism, and eventually, to become a coach.
Covering High School Sports
As a reporter for the Summit Daily News, Jones covered a wide range of high school sports teams and events. He says, "From my very first weeks in Summit County, I knew I had joined a community that was passionate about sports." He covered teams such as the Summit High School football team, led by junior quarterback Jack Schierholz, and the cross-country team, which won its first-ever state championship. Jones also covered other sports, including soccer, basketball, and hockey, and was impressed by the talent and dedication of the athletes. He notes, "I still fondly remember attending every high school home game I could in elementary school, hoping one day to compete on the same level as them." Through his coverage, Jones aimed to build excitement and fervor around sports in Summit County, and he hopes that his stories inspired, united, and excited the community.
Discovering a New Passion
During his time in Summit County, Jones discovered a new passion for coaching. He says, "In my second fall in Summit County, local legend Eva Hagen asked if I was interested in joining her as a cross-country and track coach at Summit Middle School." This experience sparked a new passion in Jones, and he found joy in coaching young athletes to be their best in the sport of running. He notes, "Everyday, I would look forward to coaching the talented, funny and hardworking athletes that have come through the ranks at Summit Middle School." Jones will be leaving the Summit Daily News to become a college cross-country and track coach in Utah, a decision that was not easy for him to make.
Gratitude and Farewell
As Jones prepares to leave Summit County, he wants to express his gratitude to the community, athletes, and colleagues who have made his time at the Summit Daily News so special. He says, "I want to thank the community, every high school athlete and coach I have interviewed or covered and my colleagues at the Summit Daily for making the last four years so special." Jones will miss the community and the athletes he has coached, but he is excited for his new adventure and the opportunity to pursue his passion for coaching. He encourages readers to "keep chasing your dreams, whatever they may be," a message that reflects his own journey and the lessons he has learned along the way.
A Lasting Legacy
Jones’s legacy in Summit County will be remembered through the countless stories he has written and the lives he has touched through his coaching. His passion for sports and his commitment to the community have made a lasting impact, and he will be missed by the athletes, coaches, and readers who have come to know him. As he moves on to his new role as a college coach, Jones will carry the memories and lessons of his time in Summit County with him, and he will continue to inspire and motivate young athletes to pursue their dreams.
Sports reporter Cody Jones bids farewell to the Summit County community
