It is crazy to think that the last three and a half years are almost up. Joining the Cigar as a first-year student in September 2020 simultaneously feels like yesterday and a lifetime ago. Little did my 18-year-old self know how important of a decision that was.
Although my byline has been absent from this paper for the better part of a year, I can say without a doubt that being a part of the Cigar was one of the best decisions of my life. For every opportunity and big break I have gotten at URI, I have the Cigar to thank.
In my time as a student, I have covered countless athletic teams and events. I have gotten to tell the stories of almost every varsity program at URI along with some club and intramural teams. Some of the highlights include football’s four straight winning seasons and the many conference tournament and playoff appearances by women’s basketball. Even more fulfilling are the many athletes, coaches and staff members I have had the opportunity to feature over the years, going beyond what the average fan sees at the surface to tell a more personal and compelling story.
To me, the greatest achievement of my time here is the people I have gotten to know over the years. I am especially grateful for my past sports editors, Will Pipicelli, Aniekan Okon and Kyle Standing, who each saw the potential in me and believed in me every step of the way. Will, Aniekan and Kyle all pushed me to be my very best and I believe, without a doubt, that I would not be the journalist or broadcaster I am today without their guidance and mentorship.
Like sports, it takes a team effort to make the Cigar a success. To my fellow sports writers over the years, thank you for pushing me to be better every week and for the fun conversations every Monday night. And to the past editorial staff I had the pleasure of working under, thank you for creating a welcoming environment and welcoming me with open arms.
My time with the Cigar has since blossomed into so much more than I could have imagined back in 2020. Since the first pitch meeting I attended, I went on to have a two-year run as the sports director on the WRIU e-board and have even written a few stories for the Providence Journal, which I hope I can continue with in the future . I am also in my second year as the voice of Rhode Island women’s basketball for Learfield, a dream that my past self would not have believed in a million years.
While the next step in my journey is yet to be determined, I will always be certain that I would not be in the position I am today without the Cigar and the people behind it. It is the relationships built — more so than the stories written — that will be the legacy of what we all leave behind.
Thomas Riley Marshall’s ideal cigar may have cost only five cents, but the opportunities provided by this newspaper bearing its name are priceless.