There are not many places or people I trust like I do The Good Five Cent Cigar office and its staff.
Memorial Union Room 125 shaped me as a leader, reporter and most importantly a person. In what can be described as the two most stressful and tiring four-month periods of my life, I wouldn’t trade my time as sports editor of the Cigar for anything.
The long nights, early mornings and more have carved the mold of Zachary Petrick. I stepped into the room as a second-year student who was anxious and shy. I had a few friends in that office but was too scared to take a story. I took a few later in the semester but didn’t jump in fully until Nathan Robillard took over as sports editor in the spring of 2023. He urged me to come back and I obliged. That conversation, although so insignificant, has been the most important of my college career. Once I returned I couldn’t get enough of the reporting, even becoming a staff reporter that spring and joining Nathan at the Atlantic 10 women’s basketball tournament in Delaware.
For that Nathan I owe you everything, you are the reason I am writing this column. There is no way I would be able to fit how grateful I am for you as a boss and as one of my closest friends in this article, so thank you for everything you’ve done.
With Nathan’s support I was able to cover events I never thought I could, traveling to Providence, Mohegan Sun, Boston and more for men’s and women’s basketball.
Eventually it was time for Nathan to move on, so I decided I would run for sports editor. Underqualified, I won, although the race was uncontested, but who’s really counting.
The editor position is where I learned how much the Cigar and its staff meant to me. I was able to cover the A-10 men’s basketball tournament in my home state of New York, Rhode Island Football Club’s inaugural season, the University of Rhode Island football team’s game against the University of New Hampshire in Durham and so much more.
Although these experiences have meant so much to me, it’s the editorial board and the sports staff that have meant the most.
To Lauren Drapeau and Sully Cummins, I didn’t know how I would get along with you guys when I was elected. Now, 12 months later, I wouldn’t trade your friendship for the world. Late nights in MU 125 were made easier because of you. Being able to become friends because of the Cigar has meant so much to me and extending that outside of the office is everything. You’re both such special people with special futures.
To Ryan Pelillo and Maia Hembruff, the Cigar has made me realize how important your relationships are to me. The two of you are like the younger siblings I never had, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for both of you.
To Aidan Cahill and Ellie Sennhenn, two of the funniest people I know. I shared many laughs with both of you during the late production nights and know you’re going to thrive in your next positions. I’ll be watching where you go next.
To Owen Tierney, we have known each other and been friends since freshman year, so being able to share this final semester at the Cigar with you has been so rewarding. You’re supremely talented and I know you’ll do great things wherever you go.
To David Okula, David you have been one of the rocks of the sports section during my tenure. You are a true friend and colleague, while also being one of the best writers I know. You are going to thrive in the sports editor position, and if you need any help I’m one text away.
Lastly to Aidan Garvey, one of if not my single closest friend at URI. My right hand man who has seen the highs and the lows of both the Cigar and life. Just like Nathan, there is no way I could fit my thoughts into one piece. I would not have wanted to do this journey with anyone else, thank you.
There are so many more people I could thank, and I will without a word count, but just know you aren’t forgotten.
I poured everything I had into every paper. Not every week was perfect, but every week meant everything.
There’s no right way to end this column or my tenure so I’ll leave with a few words. Thank you Good Five Cent Cigar. I’ll always love and appreciate you.