Denim Millward

Sports Editor

I have to be honest:  when I took the position of sports editor last fall, it was not without trepidation.  How affable would coaches and athletes be in a post-game interview following a loss?  How much good news would there be to cover?

It didn’t take long at all to realize my fears were unfounded.

It is without exaggeration that I say I experienced no negative interactions with coaches, athletes, Sports Information or fellow members of the press.

Everyone involved with Idaho State athletics who I watched, interviewed, reported on or chatted with was polite, informative and helpful.

These people made my job much easier and infected me with their enthusiasm and passion for ISU.  I’d like to express my gratitude to those who helped make the 2013-2014 sports season a fantastic one.

First, my sincere thanks go out to the Sports Information Department at Idaho State, which is headed up by Steve Shaack.

To give you a peek behind the curtain in regards to covering NCAA athletics for a media outlet, every interview request for an NCAA athlete or coach has to go through the Sports Information Department, and usually passes through the hands of the Sports Information Director at some point.

Shaack has been gracious, patient and helpful with me and my staff writers this season and has helped us provide in-depth coverage of Idaho State athletics.

I’d also like to mention the Assistant Sports Information Director, Jerek Walcott, as well as the Sports Information Intern, Elizabeth Kidd. Wolcott and Kidd were available to set up interviews, assist with photo inquiries, answer questions and otherwise help walk a novice such as myself through the finer points and intricacies of NCAA athletics.

Second, I’d like to thank all the athletes and coaches with whom I or my staff writers have had the opportunity to interact. A few people stand out from the crowd.  Head Football Coach Mike Kramer, though intimidating as he initially seems, has been as good-natured and open with the media as any coach I’ve ever seen.  Outgoing senior wide receivers Cam Richmond and Luke Austin were especially pleasant to interview.

On the basketball side of things, I appreciated the candor of Men’s Head Coach Bill Evans and Women’s Head Coach Seton Sobolewski.  As unpleasant as he made life for opposing post players, forward Jeff Solarin is easily one of the nicest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.

Please note, omission from this section doesn’t equate to me not having a positive experience with any coach or athlete.

Finally, a very special thanks goes out to Bengal Editors-In-Chief Nicole Blanchard and Samantha Chaffin.  I’m grateful for the guidance, suggestions and direction each has given me and the patience they’ve shown.  Though I only had the pleasure of working with Blanchard for a single semester prior to her leaving for grad school at Northwestern, I learned a great deal from her.  I look forward to working with Chaffin for another year.

I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention Bengal adviser Jerry Miller, whom you probably know better as the “Voice of the Bengals.”  Miller’s bottomless wealth of knowledge, good advice and amazing stories have simultaneously helped me grow as a writer as well as a person.

Thank you all.  In addition to the help you’ve provided, you’ve shown me the true definition of Bengal Pride.