THE BEGINNING OF THE END

When I started this blog, and the accompanying Facebook page devoted to coverage of Yorktown swimming, it was with two goals in mind:

1. To provide timely, accurate and PROFESSIONAL coverage to a team and sport that were starving for it, both internally and externally.

2. To give friends, relatives and fans who DON'T live here anymore the chance to follow the team, regardless of where they are. That's what makes the video clips especially valuable--knowing that grandparents on the other side of the country can watch their grandchildren's performances online whenever they want warms my heart. Jessica Extine's grandparents come to mind--they are GREAT people! It has been my pleasure to capture so many priceless moments and memories for them and the rest of you. And yes, for those of you who think I'm the world's biggest asshole (and I'm not), I DO have a heart, you're just too blind to see it. And I really don't care whether you see it, anyway.

I can honestly say I have accomplished both of my original goals, and I am proud of that work. I hold my head high, knowing that I was both TRUTHFUL and ACCURATE. I never called a bad swimmer good just to make Little Johnny or Janey feel better; I never criticized anyone when they didn't have it coming; but most important of all, I ALWAYS gave credit where it was earned and due. On balance, there's a helluva lot MORE "positive" stuff on both sites than "negative." You can take issue with my tone if you want, but the truth is a parachute, and I'm landing softly. I TOLD THE TRUTH, regardless of where it led.

When I began my journalism career 31 years ago, the greatest mentor I ever had told me, "You can't do this job without pissing someone off." He was absolutely right about that, and his words have rung true every day since then.

Some of the people who read this blog, or look at the Yorktown Swimming Facebook page, or both, only want the candy coated, idyllic, pollyanna version of events to be covered. You want me to ignore the other side of the coin. Nothing bad or incorrect ever happens at Yorktown, we're PERFECT out here in Mt. Pleasant Township, right?

WRONG. From time to time, people in positions of authority fail in their duties--either unintentionally (an accident or mistake), or intentionally. When it happens, pointing it out isn't a personal attack, or negative, or disrespectful--it's called ACCOUNTABILITY. It's a critically important component of any successful person or organization, but unfortunately, accountability is becoming much more difficult to find. In Yorktown, in the United States, in the WORLD.

I had the balls to say it before, and I'll say it again. The original lineup for the Muncie Central meet was a disservice to the seniors and their teammates (even the pollyannaish ones who refuse to publicly acknowledge it), and a recipe for failure. That means LOSING. I was only one of SEVERAL people who shared that point of view and immediately protested. To my knowledge, I'm the only one who also had the courage to point it out publicly. If that makes me a target for derision, so be it. I got used to being the Lone Ranger around here a long time ago.

But I don't regret it. Had I and those others not immediately protested the original decision Monday night, the first lineup for Tuesday would have stood unchanged, and Yorktown would have LOST last night's meet on the girls' side. Thank God the "new and improved" version of the lineup gave YHS just enough firepower to win. And ya, winning still DOES matter. And ya, it's MORE important than a lot of the stuff some people around here have decided to put in front of it. You'd better turn this ship around before it gets to close to the falls.

With that said, you ladies in green and black did an INCREDIBLE job on Senior Night, from top to bottom. Every place mattered, every point counted. You fought like your lives depended on it. You swam your ASSES off! I'm proud of each one of you, even the ones who don't like me. Job well done, Tigers!

But I digress--back to the headline at the top of this blog. With the end of this season quickly approaching, both the Yorktown Swimming Facebook page, and this blog, will be disappearing after the girls State Meet. That's 17 days from now, but who's counting, right? Between now and then, I'll continue to write stories with meet results (more sectional previews coming soon), analysis pieces, and provide video clips. This is gonna be a GREAT Championship Season!

I also want to publicly thank the only three people I know who have ever told me they actually read this blog, or get anything out of it--Gary Hoffman, Jennifer Hoffman, and Kevin Extine. Thanks for your interest in Yorktown swimming, for your support, and for letting me borrow your eyes from time to time. It has been a pleasure serving you, and knowing you.

Now it's time for me to get back to bigger and better things. Look for updated analysis soon of approaching sectionals, boys and girls. The Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern sectionals are among the toughest in Indiana. We in the Yorktown swimming family have a LOT to do over the next 17 days, and it'll be a WILD ride!

Until then, GO TIGERS!