Spring Break
A long day's journey into night
Off the Foul Pohl
Bart Pohlman
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Sports
"Does the road wind uphill all the way? Yes, to the very end. Will the day's journey take the whole long day? From morn to night, my friend."
What a journey it has been.
For the last four years, I've devoted more time to The Arkansas Traveler than just about everything.
And for four years, it's been completely worth it.
In that time, I've had the privilege of covering some of the biggest moments in Arkansas sports history.
There was the retirement of Arkansas legend Frank Broyles, and the hiring of new athletic director Jeff Long.
There was the firing of Stan Heath, the hiring of Dana Altman, the resignation of Altman after not even 24 hours on the job and the hiring of John Pelphrey.
There was the resignation of embattled football coach Houston Nutt, and the hiring of Bobby Petrino.
There was even the retirement of legendary track and field coach John McDonnell, and the hiring of Chris Bucknam.
Aside from covering the athletic department through its historic facelift, there have been plenty of memorable moments over the course of the last four years.
Darren McFadden and Felix Jones dazzled fans at Reynolds Razorback Stadium for three years before departing for the NFL. McFadden's 80-yard touchdown run right up the middle against LSU in Little Rock remains my favorite D-Mac memory.
In 2006, the Razorback basketball team rolled off five straight victories - including a win over eventual national champion Florida - to close the regular season and secure the program's first NCAA Tournament bid since 2001.
There were the two straight thrilling wins over LSU - one in Baton Rouge and one in Little Rock - to keep the "Golden Boot" in Fayetteville.
And just this year, Nolan Richardson and the 1994 national champion Razorback basketball team were finally welcomed back to Bud Walton Arena.
But the theme of change reigns supreme in recent years on the Hill, and with those changes comes a shift in the very culture that encompasses the UA athletic department.
Considering these changes, I challenge the department to strive for greatness, not mediocrity.
The transition to the Jeff Long era has been one of the better things to happen in the athletic department's long history. It led to the resignation of Nutt, who packed up his bags and took his minions of mediocrity to Ole Miss, and to the hiring of Petrino, a great coach who wants to win at Arkansas.
The pieces of the puzzle are in place, and it's up to Long and the athletic department to fit them together and take Arkansas to the top.
In the last four years, many coaches have come and gone - 20 have been hired or fired, retired or resigned in that time.
Now, I am set to join that list.
Unlike those coaches, however, I'm not resigning, retiring or getting fired.
But after four years, 65 columns, 120 stories and 341 issues, it's time for me to move on to life's next great big adventure.
What that adventure will be, I am not yet sure.
What I do know, is that I am extremely grateful for all those who have supported me during the last four years.
There's no way I can thank every single person who has helped me along the way - if I even attempted to do so, the end result would be a litany so long that it'd take up the entire page by itself.
To my family - You've supported my dream of covering sports from the very beginning, and now that I'm doing just that, the support is as strong as ever. Thank you for enabling me to achieve my dream. Without you, it couldn't have happened.
To Eric, Ben, Big Z, Paul and Richard - I wouldn't have made it this far without you guys. Thanks for taking my mind off of work when I needed it most.
To Cheri and Jane - Your doors are always open. Literally. Thanks for helping all of us with whatever we needed, even if it was something as simple as a stapler.
To ProJo - Even though I was never in your class, I've learned more from you about writing and reporting than anyone. Your insight and sports writing knowledge are always appreciated.
And finally, to my fellow Travelers - you all are family to me. Through the good times and the bad, we've always been there for each other.
Brian - When you eventually purchase the Kansas City Royals, remember me.
Jacki - You're the duchess of the newsroom, and you have the uncanny ability to make all of us smile a little bit more, especially when we need it the most.
Anna and Lindsey - You can beg for points on the board all you want, but you have to earn them, even if you don't know how the game is played.
Tina - You've been a great managing editor, and I know you will do a great job as editor next year. Leading anyone through change is difficult, but your poise and determination will help everyone along the way. Thanks for always being there.
Kimber - You've done a fantastic job as editor this year, and The Traveler has become better because of the work you've done. Thank you for entrusting me with the sports section - I hope I've done a good job. You're a tremendous friend, and I am extremely grateful for that. Way to go, chief.
Matt - Whether we've been handing out random points, trying to complete TV projects on publication days or watching a favorite YouTube clip (you know the one), it's been a great ride. Thanks for keeping sane throughout the year, especially during the craziest of times. You're a great writer and a better friend, and I know I'm leaving the sports section in good hands.
It's truly been a pleasure and a privilege to work with you all, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. You all have been great.
Next year will be a year of transition, and there will be some rough patches. But faced with this challenge, I know you will not only succeed, but excel. Don't settle for anything less than greatness.
Although there will be plenty of changes, remember that it's not the changes that matter - it's how you react to them. That's what makes you who you are.
With that, I say farewell to Off the Foul Pohl, The Arkansas Traveler, and the UA. This long journey has come to an end.
Good night, and good luck.
Bart Pohlman is the sports editor of The Arkansas Traveler.
What a journey it has been.
For the last four years, I've devoted more time to The Arkansas Traveler than just about everything.
And for four years, it's been completely worth it.
In that time, I've had the privilege of covering some of the biggest moments in Arkansas sports history.
There was the retirement of Arkansas legend Frank Broyles, and the hiring of new athletic director Jeff Long.
There was the firing of Stan Heath, the hiring of Dana Altman, the resignation of Altman after not even 24 hours on the job and the hiring of John Pelphrey.
There was the resignation of embattled football coach Houston Nutt, and the hiring of Bobby Petrino.
There was even the retirement of legendary track and field coach John McDonnell, and the hiring of Chris Bucknam.
Aside from covering the athletic department through its historic facelift, there have been plenty of memorable moments over the course of the last four years.
Darren McFadden and Felix Jones dazzled fans at Reynolds Razorback Stadium for three years before departing for the NFL. McFadden's 80-yard touchdown run right up the middle against LSU in Little Rock remains my favorite D-Mac memory.
In 2006, the Razorback basketball team rolled off five straight victories - including a win over eventual national champion Florida - to close the regular season and secure the program's first NCAA Tournament bid since 2001.
There were the two straight thrilling wins over LSU - one in Baton Rouge and one in Little Rock - to keep the "Golden Boot" in Fayetteville.
And just this year, Nolan Richardson and the 1994 national champion Razorback basketball team were finally welcomed back to Bud Walton Arena.
But the theme of change reigns supreme in recent years on the Hill, and with those changes comes a shift in the very culture that encompasses the UA athletic department.
Considering these changes, I challenge the department to strive for greatness, not mediocrity.
The transition to the Jeff Long era has been one of the better things to happen in the athletic department's long history. It led to the resignation of Nutt, who packed up his bags and took his minions of mediocrity to Ole Miss, and to the hiring of Petrino, a great coach who wants to win at Arkansas.
The pieces of the puzzle are in place, and it's up to Long and the athletic department to fit them together and take Arkansas to the top.
In the last four years, many coaches have come and gone - 20 have been hired or fired, retired or resigned in that time.
Now, I am set to join that list.
Unlike those coaches, however, I'm not resigning, retiring or getting fired.
But after four years, 65 columns, 120 stories and 341 issues, it's time for me to move on to life's next great big adventure.
What that adventure will be, I am not yet sure.
What I do know, is that I am extremely grateful for all those who have supported me during the last four years.
There's no way I can thank every single person who has helped me along the way - if I even attempted to do so, the end result would be a litany so long that it'd take up the entire page by itself.
To my family - You've supported my dream of covering sports from the very beginning, and now that I'm doing just that, the support is as strong as ever. Thank you for enabling me to achieve my dream. Without you, it couldn't have happened.
To Eric, Ben, Big Z, Paul and Richard - I wouldn't have made it this far without you guys. Thanks for taking my mind off of work when I needed it most.
To Cheri and Jane - Your doors are always open. Literally. Thanks for helping all of us with whatever we needed, even if it was something as simple as a stapler.
To ProJo - Even though I was never in your class, I've learned more from you about writing and reporting than anyone. Your insight and sports writing knowledge are always appreciated.
And finally, to my fellow Travelers - you all are family to me. Through the good times and the bad, we've always been there for each other.
Brian - When you eventually purchase the Kansas City Royals, remember me.
Jacki - You're the duchess of the newsroom, and you have the uncanny ability to make all of us smile a little bit more, especially when we need it the most.
Anna and Lindsey - You can beg for points on the board all you want, but you have to earn them, even if you don't know how the game is played.
Tina - You've been a great managing editor, and I know you will do a great job as editor next year. Leading anyone through change is difficult, but your poise and determination will help everyone along the way. Thanks for always being there.
Kimber - You've done a fantastic job as editor this year, and The Traveler has become better because of the work you've done. Thank you for entrusting me with the sports section - I hope I've done a good job. You're a tremendous friend, and I am extremely grateful for that. Way to go, chief.
Matt - Whether we've been handing out random points, trying to complete TV projects on publication days or watching a favorite YouTube clip (you know the one), it's been a great ride. Thanks for keeping sane throughout the year, especially during the craziest of times. You're a great writer and a better friend, and I know I'm leaving the sports section in good hands.
It's truly been a pleasure and a privilege to work with you all, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. You all have been great.
Next year will be a year of transition, and there will be some rough patches. But faced with this challenge, I know you will not only succeed, but excel. Don't settle for anything less than greatness.
Although there will be plenty of changes, remember that it's not the changes that matter - it's how you react to them. That's what makes you who you are.
With that, I say farewell to Off the Foul Pohl, The Arkansas Traveler, and the UA. This long journey has come to an end.
Good night, and good luck.
Bart Pohlman is the sports editor of The Arkansas Traveler.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Joe
posted 4/29/09 @ 9:54 PM CST
Well done Bart, well done. It has been a joy these past two years reading the Traveler and looking forward to your column every Friday. Do not worry about what is to come, you will continue to do great things. (Continued…)
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