Farwell...
Alex says goodbye, introduces
your new writer, Jacob Carless
 

July 2007

You know the ride at Disney World, It's a Small World? I'm sorry I just got the song stuck in your head right now. But at the end of the ride, it lists goodbye in at least 20 languages. I think I only need one to say goodbye to my wonderful readers.

There's going to be a lot to miss about this job. Getting into sporting events that I'd go to anyway for free. Having a forum to view my thoughts, whether you wanted to hear them or not. Many a long drive with my mapquest printout, and then later my friend Garmin. The emails from my readers telling me what I've done right, and astutely pointing out my inaccuracies. It was nice to have such an honest sounding board.

You know, if I learned one thing from this job, it's that Novi parents love their children. Seriously. I knew going into this job that that the parents of the athletes I was to write about would be the hardest constituency to please. But today, I realize that that's the case because they want their children to get the most, and best, coverage possible, not because they wanted to make my job hard.

I have to thank you reader, but also my editor and boss, Scott Olson who runs this entire website. Without his appointment, I would have missed out on one of the greatest opportunities of my life thus far. Over my 24 months at Novi.org, I've looked at Scott less and less as a boss and more and more as a friend.

I hope the last two years of reading my writings has been as pleasurable as it was for me to write them. I've always taken great joy in writing each and every word.  I'll miss you dear reader, but remember you can always drop me a line at alex@novi.org. Tell me why the Tigers are going to win the World Series, why the Lions stink, why the sky is blue or why you have the time to write to me. I don't care. I've been promised the email address is mine for eternity, and it's for you as well.

While it's not an eternity, two years is a long time. Fortunate for you, while you've been stuck with my for the past two, you have the privilege of reading, someone I consider a close friend, Jacob Carless, for the next two. Sir, as many of his peers call him, (since his name sounds like that of an ancient British noble), succeeds me in both this capacity and as a captain of the cross country team. He'll undoubtedly uphold the sterling reputation of both.

Jacob also is a big fan of Michigan football (that was a prerequisite in a successor) but can't compare his zealousness for the maize and blue with mine. Besides that minor transgression Jacob is one of the most intelligent, outspoken, hardworking, and articulate people I know. He's also just generally a good guy. That counts for more in my book than all the other traits under the rainbow combined. And without further adieu I hand you off to the capable hands of Jacob Carless...

Your sportswriter, friend and neighbor, (hopefully) forever

-Alex Prasad, Class of 2007