Becoming a sports reporter was something that took me a while.
But the wait was worth it.
Throughout college, I was passionate about hearing what factors led to the success of a game or season through the voices of athletes and coaches.
Being able to experience that again, but at a seemingly closer level over the last two months, was that much better.
When I was hired here at The Times-Reporter, I wasn’t sure how important high school sports were in this area — boy, did that change quickly. Throughout my time in high school, sports were almost an excuse to hang out with friends.
I saw very early by the number of people attending softball and baseball games that these events mean so much to the people of Tuscarawas County.
Now, maybe I was a little lucky, but the first game I attended set the bar high. After all, it was a New Phila and Dover softball game.
But no matter what game I attended, I saw myself trying to not stand in the way of crowded bleachers so I could get my photos.
I got to experience firsthand the thrill of accomplishing goals and the other side of a heartbreaking end to a season.
Now I know I have only been in this area for a couple of months, but what I observed from the first game is that the community cares about what their high school athletes are doing — no matter the day or time.
This was all a learning experience for me as I have always been on the reporting side of sports. This time I had a camera in my hands.
I gained responsibility for shooting photos to go with my articles, something I was unsure of at first. But I quickly learned just how fun it was to be the one capturing the moments throughout a game.
It’s been a blessing to hear all the good comments about sports coverage being back in this community.
This job has taken me back to the place where some of my favorite sports memories were made: 7 17 Credit Union Park or, as I will always remember it, Canal Park.
I remember going to games with my little league teams, getting to walk alongside the field with my dad and thinking just how cool this place was.
Or the time when Francisco Lindor was making his way up through the minor leagues, seeing him play and tweeting him after the game. I got the rush of all rushes when he simply liked my tweet.
Now, here I was, sitting in the press box and in the dugout, covering the OHSAA state baseball tournament.
Covering regional and state championship events and watching athletes stand atop the podium at the OHSAA Jesse Owens State Track and Field Championships made my first season as a sports reporter everything I had hoped it would be.
I can’t wait to see what the next sports season has in store — not only for me, but for the players and teams you root for.
So, the pressure is on for football, soccer, volleyball, cross country and golf to deliver memorable seasons for everyone involved.
As we close the chapter on the 2025-26 sports season, we now shift our focus to next season. Who should I keep an eye on this fall? Email me with the teams, athletes or storylines you’d like to see covered during the upcoming fall sports season.
Jshondel@usatodayco.com; X: @JacoBShondeL
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: What I learned during my first season covering Tuscarawas County sports
Reporting by Jacob Shondel, The Times-Reporter / The Times-Reporter
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jacob Shondel, The Times-Reporter | USA TODAY Network
