Changes, they are a-coming…
Before the rumors get too crazy, I’ll put them to rest right here: I am resigning as the sports editor of The Free Press. However, the good news (for me, at least!) is that I will be staying at the paper as the content/newsroom editor of TFP. I will do my best to replace Charlie Kraebel, who has set the bar pretty damned high in only two years in Kinston.
I feel I’ve had a pretty good run as the SE at TFP since my arrival on Oct. 22, 2002. I’ve been lucky enough to cover some of the best kids in the world — too many to name here. A lot of those kids have been your children and I have been blessed to call them mine in my tenure.
I will be staying on in both roles as the SE and the newsroom dude until I hire an SE to replace me. I’d like to get a new SE in as soon as possible and definitely before prep football practice begins on July 28.
I’ll be writing a column in the near future, but I felt I owed you folks — the faithful bloggees who have been the “super-fans” of TFP sports department — the first knowledge of my career move.
I’m going on vacation Saturday and I won’t be back until Wednesday, June 25, although I’ll be posting periodic thoughts and news as I get them in the Outer Banks over the next 10 or 11 days or so. I’m going to take the ol’ laptop and might even blog while watching the NBA Finals games, kind of like I did last night that got some pretty good response.
So — the million dollar question is: what happens to this blog? I’m not sure yet. I think I’ll turn it into a combination sports/news blog where I’ll still be quite active, but welcome some news-type discussions on it. We’ll see how it evolves over the next few months.
Regardless — thank you to all of you who have supported me in my role as the SE at the best paper in North Carolina. YOU made us the best sports section in the state in 2007 by pushing us to be better in everything we do, from this blog to the paper product. YOU also made this the No. 1 blog in Freedom Communications in almost every conceivable category. YOU guys deserve the credit for that.
I am going to miss going to all the games, seeing all of you and just talking sports. I don’t know what I’m going to do on the first football Friday night I miss; the first North Lenoir-South Lenoir basketball or baseball game I miss; and the first Kinston basketball championship I miss. I know my heart is still going to be out there.
You traitor Hanks! OFF WITH HIS F***ING HEAD!!!
I’m just kidding Hanks. Just keep this blog up to par and we’ll all be happy.
Comment by Lee — June 13, 2008 @ 10:43 pm
Congratulations Hanks! you have been the only source of information for Jones Sr. (down east) Sports for me the past year and with this new position I wonder how thing are going to work out with the blog next football season. Also, there are several sports blog up here in Ral. associated with either the N&O and WRAL but they don’t come close to yours.
Thanks
Comment by Comet65 — June 13, 2008 @ 11:12 pm
Congratulations on the career move! I wish you much success with this new endeavor! We will miss seeing you around the campus of LCC, on the basketball court and baseball field and those trips to the World Series with the baseball team. Good Luck and congratulations again!!!
Comment by mslancer — June 13, 2008 @ 11:30 pm
congrats man, um whats goign to happen t the football pick ‘em contest?
Comment by encmetalhead — June 14, 2008 @ 9:03 am
Oh my, going over to the darkside…
Well, I can’t say I’m surprised. You have a passion for journalism and a unique bond with readers that can serve newspapers in larger ways than just being a sports editor.
I know you’ll be great in your new position. Even if you are a homer…
Comment by randycapps — June 14, 2008 @ 10:11 am
Congrats on the new position, Bryan. Dude, you still rock!
Comment by Taplie Coile — June 14, 2008 @ 11:39 am
Congrats Bryan, and Can I keep a secret or what???? Who’s your boy now!
Comment by heelsfan — June 14, 2008 @ 8:51 pm
Hanks, best of luck to you in your new venture! I’m sure you will be successful. Thanks again for all you’ve done for the female athletes in Lenoir County, the attention you’ve brought to them is priceless. I hope the new SE will continue this tradition.
Comment by COACH5511 — June 14, 2008 @ 11:36 pm
Congrats on the move Hanks. Sad for the sports world to see you go. Best of luck.
Comment by ECPirates11 — June 15, 2008 @ 2:35 am
Congrats Hanks. Just hope that between the new SE and you we can keep the ol blog going. It has been the place to learn the “real” sports news in Lenoir county. Good luck.
Comment by Greg Melvin — June 15, 2008 @ 8:29 am
Congrats Hanks, I know you will do well in any endeavor you choose! It has been great getting to know you and I (like everyone else) hopes the new SE will cover just 3/4 of what you did! It is going to take someone pretty awesome to fill your shoes
Also, have fun on your vacation. You truly deserve it!
Comment by critterhunter2 — June 15, 2008 @ 3:05 pm
dude, the football pick’em and this wonderful, addicting blog must continue…
Comment by bluedevil99 — June 15, 2008 @ 8:29 pm
ty lawson, danny green, and wayne ellington are all three returning to chapel hill next season rather then entering the draft. just thought id let it be known the the blog.
TARHEELS
Comment by tatemooring — June 16, 2008 @ 1:13 pm
Dude, you’ll be fine. Just remember your baby-sitter training days and you’ll be alright.
Make sure you include me in this year’s Blog Fantasy Football League. The Pawtucket Pot Roasts will win it all this time.
Comment by Charlie — June 16, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
I think me and heelsfan should take the sports editor position together. GOD could you imagine all of the well written article bashing anything and everything coming from us two!!!!!!
Congrats Hanks, I am sure you will do a fine job at the new position. At least you are stayin around the K(not really sure why you would want too!!!!)
Comment by bhatcher — June 16, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
Congrats Hanks, Good to see good guys do well for themself’s. Hope the Blog keeps keeping on.
Comment by PantherFan — June 17, 2008 @ 9:33 am
Wow — THANK YOU. I have been simply overwhelmed by the messages here and all the e-mails (nearly 30!) I have received from you guys. Thank you!
Still on vacation (the Outer Banks rule!), but have already started the process of hiring the next Free Press sports editor. If I get in here who I want — and he knows who he is — you guys and gals are going to be duly impressed.
Again — thanks! THIS is why I love Kinston.
Comment by Bryan Hanks — June 17, 2008 @ 10:15 am
I hope he comes. He’d be a good one.
Comment by randycapps — June 17, 2008 @ 10:43 am
Congrats Hanks. Whoever the new guy is, he’ll have some mighty big shoes to fill. As I’ve told you before several times on this blog, I think you are the best SE the Free Press has ever had. You try to cover as much as you can, and do a good job keeping up with the local high schools various sports. You will be missed on the sports side of the Free Press, but I’m sure you’ll do a great job on the news side.
Comment by heelatious — June 17, 2008 @ 3:08 pm