Well, that ended more quickly than expected.
I’m not going to lie to you at all. When I first stepped on campus as a young freshman, I really didn’t know what to expect or where things would go. Everything was closed, classes were virtual and, worst of all, no University of Connecticut sports. That’s not exactly the formula for a great college career, especially for someone who wants to have a career in sports. On top of all of that, I wasn’t the massive UConn basketball historian like my peers, so I had to get in the lab and really lock in on some Husky history from the very beginning.
Fast forward to 2024 and things somehow ended up 100 times better than expected.
This school has meant more to me over the years than I could ever put into words. The fact that I was able to cover back-to-back National Championships for the men’s basketball team, the only Daily Campus writer in history to achieve such a feat, means the most to someone who couldn’t have imagined such a reality. That’s not even mentioning my time around the UConn football team or checking out some Hook C baseball — two amazing programs.
I’m not the type of person to brag about my accomplishments to people, but to feel the love of the UConn community on social media, especially X (formerly known as Twitter), is truly an awesome feeling. You never really know how much you’ve made an impact on people sometimes, but I was reminded of how much some people on X appreciate my work in the most unlikely way possible: A suspension from the UConn Recreation Center.
Do I regret my decision to go against the rules and film such an incredible event at the Rec Center on campus — especially in one of my final weeks as a student? Absolutely not. To see so much of the fanbase really support and appreciate my content throughout my time here is amazing, and if that means getting a slap on the wrist, so be it.
But even through the stress of making sure tweets are accurate or posting Husky basketball/football content on X, this job has been so awesome to me and it’s really something that I’ve cherished throughout my time here. I really didn’t start my account until 2020 and my primary page sat dormant until 2021, so it was a massive uphill battle to get where I stand today at over 1,600 followers on the platform. Even through gaining the trust of the UConn basketball community and the long journey that it’s been, I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Of course, this article wouldn’t be complete without thanking some people who have been massive throughout my time at The Daily Campus.
To my guy Jon, who I started covering women’s lacrosse with in 2021, you’ve really been the best. From watching UConn upset Villanova at the XL Center in 2021, to taking trips to Las Vegas to watch UConn take care of business against Arkansas and Gonzaga to ultimately covering a National Championship together, there’s so much that I could thank you for. If there wasn’t a word limit on this article, just know I’d go into way more. Even though you’re not here at the DC anymore, know that I’m so appreciative of what you’ve meant to me.
My time at The Daily Campus certainly wouldn’t have been the same without Stratton either. That enthusiastic energy when coming to The Daily Campus, coupled with plenty of jokes from time to time, has made you the perfect person to lead this section this year. Just watching you grow in the organization has been a joy to watch, and even though we’ll be on separate paths with different organizations, just know you’ll always be my Husky brother for life.
To Connor, who has been an awesome partner to have covering UConn men’s basketball, I know you’re going to keep The Daily Campus in great shape when me and Stratton are gone. I know we’re leaving quite the legacy behind, but with what you’ve shown and the hard work you’ve put in, you’ve truly got the best job in the world.
Last, but not certainly not least, my brother Cole. Ever since meeting over Zoom and ultimately transitioning into in-person meetings, you’ve always brought the energy since day one of our Daily Campus meetings. Things simply wouldn’t be the same without you at the DC and I’m going to absolutely miss those energetic interactions we’ve had on countless occasions.
My Daily Campus career may be over, but as Jalen Ramsay once said: “We ain’t done.”
Sincerely,
The Rod Wave