A tip of the cap and a fond farewell…

I never wanted to write this, but I knew I’d inevitably have to at some point.
My time covering sports in this community has come to a close.
Nearly 15 years ago, I moved to Tennessee on a whim as a young buck, green in the gills and honestly too young for the job and responsibility I was handed.
But I had a tremendous group of people around me who helped shape a young guy with a drive and passion for community news, into a well-rounded journalist.
I’m a humble guy, but I know I’m really good at what I do.
But I’m only good at this gig because of the people who helped me along the way.
I told myself I wouldn’t name names because I’d leave someone out, but there are some people too important to me that this column would be just not accurate without mentioning them.
So let me start with those I spent years with on the front lines, sidelines, courts and all the things:
Coaches Robbie Davis, Brandon Bassham, Mike Edmondson, Jake Tyre, Thomas Osteen and Chris Lawson—you guys in particular all took time out of your schedules and ran a first-class operation.
I’m just a guy working for the newspaper, but I never once felt like a member of the press in our interviews.
Some of my fondest memories on the job were standing around after baseball games between Cascade and Community just talking sports and life with Brandon and Robbie, or postgame with Chris in the locker room spitballing what we saw on the court, or even just the most genuine trash talk between sports fans between Jake and myself.
Guys, you made this run I’ve had so much fun and made my job reporting, so, so much easier.
To those of you on the sidelines with me every Friday night (and every other night some of us), Rickey Clardy, Kacy Kincaid and Gary Johnson—I was just a point man.
Our coverage was the best for the longest time and it would have been nothing without you.
Covering seven schools over two counties and being the purest form of respectable and professional journalism—all I can say is I’m proud to have had each of you on staff, especially Gary.
I remember my first time meeting Gary, I flew into Tennessee from North Carolina and met him way back in 2011.
I never thought working together would have turned into a friendship that gave me a big brother I never had.
When I say, if I ever needed something and called him and within 30 minutes had the information needed, he delivered.
Every. Single. Time.
From the front lines, to the ladies in the trenches behind the scenes—Mary Cook and Carol Spray.
My goodness, have you ever thrown a bunch of copy at paginators last minute and seen an award-winning design churned out?
No?
Well I have.
And they’ve done it for years.
I won’t ever forget when I got to Bedford County 15 years ago, my mom was worried to death about me being in a state on my own with no friends, family or connections to look after me.
I told her from Day 1, I was adopted and felt like I had my second mom in Tennessee with Mary.
Mary was my my point lady, laying out my sports pages since I got here until her recent retirement.
There’s been bumps along the way and certainly have been under the gun to figure out our production, but we’ve always gotten it done and gotten it done well.
Nobody better in the business.
And to Diandra Womble.
From sales rep, to GM, and all the jobs in between.
There’s nothing this woman didn’t do for this town and community before pursuing other ventures.
I got hired in Shelbyville in 2011 and Diandra came in a year or two after and after all the staff reductions, changes, turmoil and everything else, she’s been the constant that’s kept professional local news going.
I say without any hesitation whatsoever, without her determination, will and drive, we wouldn’t have the Post.
It takes blood, sweat and tears to make this work and nobody has given more than her.
She didn’t get all the bylines or recognition in print for her work, but make no mistake, professional local journalism exists in Bedford County because of Diandra Womble.
I’m immensely grateful for everything over the years, from talking me off ledges, to being the unwavering support every staff needs.
If everyone had a supportive boss like Diandra, I’d wager work places would be a lot more enjoyable across the board.
And finally, I have to thank the readers.
It’s been almost 15 years since I first started covering Bedford County sports.
Sure, I’ve messed things up, mixed names up with photos, and made mistakes along the way.
But I’ve given this my everything.
I’ve often worked two jobs to support myself while covering sports for this community because it’s my passion.
I’ll never forget, my first time covering a game at Cascade High School was a soccer match in the fall of 2011 and then-Athletic Director Dale Rucker introduced himself to me and sprung me a Mountain Dew from the concession stand.
I was really confused because I was just a guy working for the newspaper and yet a small gesture like a can of soda made me feel welcomed.
But little by little I began to understand how special this place is.
Parents always talked to me and not just about getting pictures of little Timmy or making sure I was at the super important event, but welcomed me and made me feel part of this community.
I’ve always heard you never want to stay somewhere too long and become too comfortable.
Maybe I did that.
But I don’t regret it.
I’ve seen some amazing moments happen on the fields and courts.
I’ve laughed with teams and coaches and shed just as many tears.
I think what was engrained in me early on was covering this community meant something to me—it wasn’t just a job.
I got excited for seeing my teams succeed. I wanted to see them thrive.
Goes against every ethics code I learned in school, but you know what?
I’m a passionate person and a passionate writer.
I have and always will care about the things I write about.
It’s bittersweet letting go of something you’ve put so much of your heart and soul into.
I’m sorry to the community I can’ t keep going any longer.
I hope I did it right. I feel like I did.
I’m going to miss it.
I’m going to miss the coaches I’ve covered.
I’m going to miss the players I’ve covered.
I’m going to miss the thrill of an exciting game.
Thank you for everything over the years.
I had the time of my life.
– Chris Siers