I don’t hide my love for this time of year well. As soon as Halloween ends, flurries of nostalgia, reflection, hope and pure joy begin to sprinkle throughout my days (for the most part). I eagerly await the first real snow and I’m already reminding myself to bring my ice skates back to campus after Thanksgiving break. 

Speaking of, that’s this week. Happy Thanksgiving, friends of the Clarion and readers of the Pen. I’m especially thankful for all of you and the love you pour into my work. It wouldn’t be possible without you. 

But I’d also like to switch things up with the Pen this week. There’s always sports to cover, but when do we get to pause and reflect on why we love to follow them? 

Right now, that’s when. 

Blessing 1: Covering your peers

This one is a sort of challenge in many ways, but I often meditate on the fun that it brings, as well. 

How curiously joyous it was to partake in a spontaneous homework session last year in the Lissner fourth floor conference room after the homecoming Powderpuff tournament. Even more, doing it with Cooper Drews and Peyton Howie, arguably the best Bethel athletes at their respective sports. 

But sometimes, it’s just weird. Often I subconsciously regard our Bethel athletes in the same way I regard Justin Jefferson or Anthony Edwards. And then I sit behind Devin Williams in Methods class while neither of us really knows what’s going on. 

I discuss the value of liturgical worship in contemporary settings with Jessica Oliver just hours after I deep-dive her stats to prep for Double Coverage. 

I deeply appreciate the opportunity I have to form genuine relationships with those about whom I write. It’s unlikely I’d have the opportunity for this at a bigger journalism program, and I’m grateful I get to go deeper with many athletes than just their stats and performances. 

Blessing 2: Quality programs

Division III sports, as I analyzed earlier this fall, are unlike any level of college athletics. Players play for the love of the game or a passion within the institution rather than money. 

It creates a space for coaches and players alike to foster uplifting environments within their teams that aim for success and growth beyond the field of play. 

I’m grateful for a new men’s basketball coach in Gabe Miller, who looks promising to bring a new Christ-centered energy into his sport. 

I’m grateful for Mike McElroy and the legacy he’s carrying over from the legendary Steve “Coach J” Johnson, while adding his own touches with the “cultivate” slogan. 

I’m grateful for Gretchen Hunt who shows she values her players as students, athletes, future professionals and above all, humans. She extends this deep-rooted love to media personnel, too.

Sports are purer when they are more than just sports. Players play harder, faster, stronger, better when they have something else – a new family – to play for. And coaches who inspire this quality of play facilitate a beautiful, renewable cycle for years to come. 

Blessing 3: Room to grow

When I came to Bethel nearly two and a half years ago, I had no idea what a libero did on the volleyball court. I didn’t know what icing was in hockey. I had no clue how team tennis matches were scored across several individual performances (I’m still not totally sure on that last one, I admit). 

The advantage of working in a small sports department in a small newspaper at a small school is that I’ve had to say yes to a lot and just learn it as it comes. I was randomly assigned to work an outdoor hockey game during my freshman year, and I said yes. Since then I’ve likely doubled or tripled my hockey knowledge, and I still have a long way to go. 

When the volleyball team started its season off hot and was traveling to Washington D.C. to play a school for the deaf, I said yes to helping cover the story. Since then I’ve grown to love volleyball and at times regard it as my favorite Bethel sport. 

And when many voices within the Clarion encouraged me to help start a sports podcast, I said yes. I’ve (hopefully) grown each episode into a better on-air personality and host. 

So I’m grateful for the small size of Bethel. I’m grateful our sports teams are (for the most part) successful, making them much easier to cover. And I’m grateful for the opportunity to grow in knowledge and practice curiosity. I don’t know what my life would look like if I wasn’t so excited every time I saw a 40-assist performance from Sophia Rubio this season. 

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Above all, I’m grateful for you. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re someone who has helped me in some way along the journey. Maybe I interviewed you one time, and even though we don’t really know each other, it meant a lot for you to say yes to a weird guy holding his phone while he over-worded his questions. 

Maybe you’re my friends who never miss a Pen and always reference it in some way during conversation to let me know you made it through. 

Maybe you’re my editor(s) reading this before it’s even posted and I’m making you cry because of my deep, insightful and beautiful words. You give me the perfect balance between positive support and the invaluable critiques I need to develop as a reporter and a writer. 

So thank you all for tagging along. Even the smallest things mean a lot. 

Until next time, think about what you’re grateful for, throw your friends off the map in Gang Beasts and pray for snow. 

Love y’all.