END OF AN ERA – Moving on down the line

The answer is 4,003.
So what is the significance of this number?
In my column announcing my return to the Macomb Journal as sports editor on August 21, 2000, I posed the question about how long the “Shelby sequel” would last?
Well, after 4,003 days – 15 days short of 11 years – my run as sports editor at the Macomb Journal/The McDonough County Voice ends today. I’m stepping aside to join my friend Dewain Hulett as a writer/editor for the Tri-State Sports Report, an on-line publication that focuses on high school sports.
This was a tough decision to make – but then again these types of decisions are seldom easy.
Counting the time of my first run at the Journal (2,708 days), along with my time at the Danville Commercial-News (314 days), I’ve been in the newspaper business for 7,025 days. That’s a shade over 19 years.
But at this point of my life, I simply was ready – and in some ways needed – a change. Like many other professions, the newspaper business can take a toll on a person, not so much physically, but mentally. The 2010-11 school year was particularly tough on me on a myriad of levels. I believe it was a simply a signal that it was time to move on. The grind of working for a daily newspaper was getting the better of me and I’m not getting any younger (though I’m just 47).
It takes a special breed to work in the newspaper industry. To be honest, when I began my first run at the Journal back on May 11, 1992, I didn’t think I’d be in the business this long. It was just a passing phase. Yet here I am 19-plus years later. Some phase huh?
In changing jobs, I’m returning the favor that Dewain did for me years ago when I asked him to head across state to Danville with me. Family considerations eventually brought us both back to west central Illinois, but I’m a firm believer of things happening for a reason, though we may not always understand why at the time.
So much has changed in recent years, especially the technology at work and the situations of coops and consolidations involving area schools. But one constant has been the people I’ve been honored and blessed to work with.
That includes everyone at the area schools from administrators to coaches, athletes, parents and lest I forget, officials. And I can never say thank you enough to my co-workers at The Voice for everything they’ve done. In sports, as well as many other aspects of life, teamwork is so important. I appreciate their time and efforts in being great teammates to work with. I also need to give a shout out to other members of the media I’ve worked with through the years whether print, TV or radio. It’s been a privilege to work with each and every one of you – one I look to continue in my new endeavor.
I also need to thank two final groups of people. The first is my family and friends for supporting me through the years. They have been far more understanding with me more than I ever deserve. I can never say enough how much I love them and appreciate them.
The other is you, the readers. For the better part of two decades, I tried to give this region a sports page you could rely on for information and be proud of. It was a bumpy ride at times and not always perfect, and it was not always what people wanted to necessarily read, but it was not from a lack of effort. I was simply just trying to do my job objectively to the best of my abilities. That's what readers should expect from their newspaper every day.
Though my time is finished, The Voice will carry on, just like it has since 1855. I’m proud say that I played a small part in the publication’s history, but it is time for a new beginning for The Voice sports department and myself. Although part of me hates to leave, a bigger part of me is looking forward to that new beginning.
———
Shelby Burget completes his run Saturday, August 6 as the sports editor for The McDonough County Voice. He is a past Illinois Press Association Award winner in the sports section, sports photo, sports column, sports reporting and headline writing categories.

Time for a new perspective...

Greetings one and all... I hope things are going well for everyone...

By now I am sure you are aware that I have decided to leave my position as Sports Editor of The McDonough County Voice... my final day will be Saturday, August 6 - 15 days shy of 11 years since my return from the Danville Commercial-News in August 2000...

Many have asked of my future plans... while I am getting out of the newspaper business, I am NOT getting out of the reporting business...

I am joining long-time associate Dewain Hulett at the Tri-State Sports Report, an on-line publication focusing on area high school sports... in a sense, I'm getting back to my roots, covering and writing about H.S. sports - my first love...

the coverage area includes schools in west central Illinois, southeast Iowa and northeast Missouri...

after 19-plus years in the newspaper business (having first started at the old Macomb Journal in May of 1992) I simply felt it was time for me to move on to a different phase in my career...

While I am excited about making this move, I can't help but thank everyone at the paper past and present for their time, effort and cooperation during my time there... they will always hold a special place of appreciation in my heart...

I still have some vacation time remaining, but I am looking forward to the new challenges that lie ahead and am anxious to see the possibilities that await... I hope you join in for the ride...

SB