Thank you Pueblo for 32 years of the sporting life
Goodbyes and farewells are never easy. In this case, it is bittersweet.
After 32 years as a sports writer at the Pueblo Chieftain, I am retiring. There are a wave of emotions as a 40-plus career in the sports field comes to an end today.
My career started at the Trinidad Chronicle News, continued at the Canon City Daily Record before an out-of-state stint at the Ontario (Ore.) Argus-Observer. I returned to Colorado at the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel and finally the Pueblo Chieftain.
Every stop provided memories and were stepping stones to where I am now.
From the time I was in the seventh grade, I knew I wanted to be a sports writer. As a youngster living in the Denver area, I fell in love with the Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets and Denver Bears. I listened to every game I could on the radio and watched those teams on TV when they were available. I would clip out stories from the newspaper and paste them into albums. I was hooked.
The opportunity to cover sports and tell the stories of those participants was an obsession. It started at a young age and has continued my entire life.
The administrators, coaches and players I've worked with and covered over the years has allowed me to fulfill all my hopes and dreams. Plus, my co-workers have been invaluable. I'd be remiss if I didn't thank former Chieftain sports editor Judy Hildner for hiring me in Pueblo and my fellow sports writers that included Nick Nasch, Dave Socier, Chuck Herman, Gayle Perez, Tom Purfield, Joe Cervi, Tracy Renck, Matt Hildner, Marcus Hill, Nick Jurney, and Chris Abdelmalek, among others.
It's been an honor to reveal insights and intimate stories and features of those who make the games and events memorable.
It hasn't always been easy. Controversial stories are difficult to publish. But I've always felt I've been able to provide both sides of the story and let the readers come to their own conclusion and form their own opinions.
While the highlights of my career are many, here are a few that stood out during my time at the Chieftain:
Coverage of the University of Southern Colorado baseball team's run to the NAIA World Series in 1996. I covered every game that season in seven different states and became the voice of Stan Sanchez's team that provided unforgettable memories
Coverage of the Pueblo South High School girls basketball team's threepeat in the mid-1990s when the Colts won three consecutive state championships under the guidance of feisty head coach Jim Harrison
Coverage of a myriad of state championship teams including Centennial and South football titles and individual state champions in a variety of sports including boys and girls golf and swimming, tennis, and wrestling.
My most memorable event occurred early in my career when I was afforded the opportunity to interview Harmon Killebrew when he was going to be enshrined into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. I interviewed the Minnesota Twins great in his home in Payette, Idaho, and stood in his trophy room and next to his impressive MVP trophy.
The list of those to thank is too long but I have to recognize my wife Carolyn and children Lunden, Jorden and Logen for allowing me to do what I do. Without their support, I couldn't have achieved what I have during my career.
What I'll miss the most is the relationships I've formed with people in the world of sports. Thanks to all of you for allowing me to do what I love and get up every day to chase my dream.
Pueblo has been good to me and the memories will live on as I move into retirement.
Thank you, Pueblo.
Chieftain senior sports reporter Jeff Letofsky, who retires today, can be reached by email at jletofsky@chieftain.com or on Twitter @jeffletofsky
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Letofsky: Thank you Pueblo for 32 years of the sporting life
