Bailey: Everyone knows you have ideas. I know you can execute them. I can’t wait to see what the section looks like next semester; just make sure you still have time for billiards and Blacktop.

Trevor: Your scintillating style is fun and sometimes would make even Dickie V blush. I love it. Keep doing it and you’ll go far.

Jesse: You’re one of the most talented guys I can remember to come through this section. Take the opportunity at the beginning of the semester to find and write big stories.

Phil: I know you’re going to do a great job with women’s basketball and men’s lacrosse — two of my favorite beats at The D.O. Take this semester to write a lot and write bigger stories. You’ll do a great job with them.

Sam Blum: I know you’re excited to get in-house and I’m excited for you. Great job on national this year. Way better than I did. You’ve still got plenty ahead of you.

Hyber: Coach Q is obviously great, so enjoy the beat. You’re one of the most reliable staff writers I can remember. Take that opportunity to write bigger stories.

Mark: You were annoying this semester. Like, really annoying. But it helped to have you in my ear and I think our section got better all semester because of it.

Cohen: You pretty much taught me how to write, so thanks for that. It was fun to finally share a press box with you. Have fun in Memphis. I’m sure SU Athletics will.

Iseman: It was fun to share a press box with you, too. Pretty much everything I know about running a section, I got from you. Hope I followed you up well.

Ryne: I don’t show my excitement often, but the day you brought me in-house was awesome. It was what I wanted since I started at The D.O. Thanks for showing me the ropes.

Any SEs before: Including ALJ and Brett, who probably don’t even remember me, I hope I did a good job.

Nick Toney: Thanks for quitting. And thanks for seeing the end of the Jing Pu Era through with me. Really enjoying seeing your work out in San Diego.

Propper: My first beat partner and my best beat partner. You taught me how to go at SU Athletics and always search for the bigger story.

Klinger: I’m glad you still were around this semester. I’m excited to see what you can do when you get back. One heart.

The rest of the sports staff: Thanks for being along for the ride. You gave us good content top to bottom and I can’t wait to see you guys keep progressing.

Ziniu: Best damn football photographer I’ve ever seen.

Austin: Stick with it. Trust me. It’ll be worth it. You did a great job on women’s soccer and showed your moxie as a reporter.

Curt: Funneling. Stick with it. We’ll have plenty of time next semester. Thursdays at Chuck’s were my light at the end of the tunnel.

Pete: And we’ll have time to go see Jerry.

Benis: Thanks for doing the dishes. Got to carve out some time for our Christmas album.

Ankur: You’re a little piece of D.O. mythology and an even bigger piece of the sports section’s lore. Together we formed a fierce peloton capable of taking down even the Viet Cong. Heeya!

Casey: It was fun working for you, even if there were a few too many hard no’s. I’ll always remember the huddle, 8 a.m. nights and, of course, “Wagon Wheel.” Thanks for staying calm.

Maddy: You probably loved sports more than you should have, but just remember: That’s a sports thing.

Lizzie: Thanks for basketball guide. And pregame GFX. And the redesign. Holy shit there was a lot of stuff this semester.

Lindsay, Chloe, Mara and Clare: You put up with pregame GFX, loose sections, tight sections and shitty back pages. And made the designer spelling bee a reality. Keep all of that stuff going.

Chase: I can’t remember seeing a better relationship between photo and sports. Good luck as managing editor next semester.

Sam and Spencer: Ditto with the relationship thing. Road trips were fun, Spencer. Hopefully they’re not done.

Meredith: You wrote a sports story. That’s weird. You’re loud, but you made The Daily Orange a fun place to be.

Seegz: The most diligent reporter I know. You’ve given us plenty of scoops, so why not come over to sports full time?

Marwa: And you’re of course right up there, too. Sorry Bailey’s taking my job, but there’s always nights at Chuck’s.

The rest of the newsies: I have no idea how you do everything you do, but you all did a great job with the section this semester.

Kristin and Joe: Thanks for stepping up and writing some race stories for us. Or maybe you should be thanking me for letting you. You’re welcome.

Andy: Thanks for making my brilliant Sneetches illo a reality.

Water fountain: You complete me.

Everyone at 506, et al: Sorry I kind of vanished this semester. We’ll make up for it in the spring.

Mom and dad: You never discouraged me from going on a path that will lead to no money. Not sure if I should thank you or not. But thanks for still subscribing to The Washington Post.

Matthew: We can wallow in our lack of finances together. And who knows, if this sports writing thing doesn’t work out, then maybe I can be a teacher wherever you work.

Jonathan: You’d be a great sports writer, but I’m also fine with the whole professional basketball thing if you can spot me a couple grand here and there.

Everyone else back home: Thanks for putting up with irrelevant tweets and occasionally ignored texts. BK, you best be there for the Maryland game.

Sam: Thanks for putting up with me all semester. I promise we can spend some time together in the spring. And maybe you can even come to Chuck’s sometimes on Thursdays. OK, probably not. I love you, though.

Published on December 5, 2013 at 5:00 am

Contact David: dbwilson@syr.edu | @DBWilson2