Dear Editor:

I wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate the service of retiring sports writer Tom Goetz. My first memories of Tom were as a little league youngster, seeing him take team photos, some 40 years ago.

Through the years, being a huge sports fan, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed his articles and photos of all sports in our area.

As a college coach, it has been a joy to deal with Tom on a professional level for the past 11 years. He was always courteous and considerate, while asking the right questions.

While traveling to scholarship signings with him, chatting with him at basketball or football games or just over the phone, he has made an effort to not just talk about team sports. We have chatted about fishing, hunting, golf, gardening, etc. It has been a pleasure to get to know him on a personal basis through the years.

I sincerely hope that The Daily Leader can find someone to match the dedication and the passion for all area sports the way that Tom has. We are losing a true sports fan, who has committed himself to giving his readers consistent coverage in a smaller market.

In fact, I would venture to say that anyone would be hard pressed to find the type of broad sports coverage of all sports, in all schools in an area with the circulation that we have.

As a coach, I have looked at newspapers from surrounding areas through the state. They all pale in comparison, when it comes to the vast sports coverage and information of our newspaper.

There are countless proud parents, grandparents and family members who have sports clippings of their loved ones tucked away in scrapbooks. We will always be able to remember those special moments, thanks to Tom and his staff.

We, as sports fans in Lincoln county and surrounding areas have been spoiled to have the type of coverage that we have had for the last 42 years. Tom has been a loyal and valuable member of his team at The Daily Leader and the community.

He will truly be missed, so here’s wishing him well in his much-deserved retirement. Thanks for the memories, Tom.

Allen Kent

Head Softball Coach

Copiah-Lincoln Community College