I was asked to write a farewell last week.
After much thought of where I should start, I figured I’d go back to the beginning.
Sports weren’t always a part of my life. After all, as a child in elementary school, my nerdiness was apparent. While others were strapping on football pads for the first time in the third grade, I was gathering hurricane tracking maps from the local television station.
But something happened along the way. Whether it was a byproduct of growing up or falling in love with the written word, something began to click and make sense.
I had just moved to Farmington, a suburb of Fayetteville. Razorback Red was encompassing the town that was quickly growing and busting at the seams during the real estate boom of the 1990s. As an oustider having just moved from Gulfport, Miss., I was enthralled by a state’s obsession for one team and their strange, supportive yells of “Woo! Pig! Sooie!”
That’s when I began to read the newspaper every morning at school. I read everything I could get my hands on. Dudley Dawson, Wally Hall, Bob Holt, Scott Cain, Terry Wood, Mike Nail, Joe West and Clay Henry were the names I searched for every morning in the various newspapers.
The time and devotion in their work was apparent. Their descriptions provided such vivid imagery that I began to change my outlook on my career choice. Soon, it was rather clear that I wanted to write and I wanted to be a reporter.
A lifelong dream of becoming a meteorologist slowly regressed in junior high.
By the time I reached high school, it was no longer on my mind.
Years later, after some hard work, stints as a government reporter and a few breaks, I was a sports writer. Most of the names you’ve seen above are also still here, somewhere, still writing or, in the very least, remaining as an inspiration for my love of this job. There are others who inspired me while on the beat. They know who they are and Razorback fans should be thankful they have these people to count on for objective reporting and insight on and off the field.
There’s truly nothing like being a sports writer, the thrill of deadline and those key moments in games when the momentum shifts.
Just when you think a game is going one way, one moment could flip the result in the other direction.
It happens in life, too. From a kindergartener wanting to “talk about the weather,” to a ninth grader smiling with every turn of the page in the sports section, years and events change the flow.
Thirteen years after moving to Arkansas, I’m going back to Mississippi. Today is my last day here in Fayetteville as the online sports editor for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Northwest Arkansas Newspapers. My time here in Northwest Arkansas has been an amazing journey of growth that shaped my life for the better.
On Tuesday, I’ll hit the road for Starkville, Miss., where I’ll take on the Mississippi State beat for The Clarion-Ledger. It’s an amazing opportunity I’ve been working toward since I picked up the sports pages in Farmington as a youngster.
But enough with the mushiness. Let’s get back to the important facts and the information that matters.
Matt Jones, who most of you know from his work with Hawgs Illustrated, is taking over as the online sports editor and will be here in the Slophouse soon. You can follow him on Twitter (@NWAMatt). You’re in good hands.
I’ll see you in Starkville on Nov. 20, Arkansas fans.
Thank you.
Make sure to check out WholeHogSports.com and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for more coverage.
Best of luck with the new job, you will be missed.
Many thanks for some tireless and outstanding work, Brandon. As a Razorback fan in Texas, I have truly enjoyed reading your column and watching your videos. Best of luck on your new gig in Starkville.
You will be missed. I really enjoyed all of the content you brought online.
Welcome to Starkville! We are looking forward to having you cover the MSU Dawgs! It’s going to be an exciting year for us in football, so get ready for the ride!
Thank you Brandon. You do an excellent job. Good luck.
Bye-bye, buddy. You’re the man.
Best of luck in Starkville. Don’t eat at the Pizza Hut. And don’t be a stranger.
Thanks Brandon. Many, many great articles and videos. Like you said above, enough of the mushiness. We are gonna kick y’alls’ ass on Nov. 20th!
Well fine, then! Just go!
Just kiddin. I’ve enjoyed reading your articles, and your excellent coverage of the Hogs. Good luck in Starkville. Good luck at the Clarion-Ledger. Good luck at having plenty of football wins from the Dawgs to write about! hahaha! If Mullen is successful in Starkville, he won’t be there long.
Seriously, good luck in your future endeavors. Look at it this way … you’ll still get the chance to come back to Arkansas once in awhile. Every-other year when MSU comes to Little Rock in football, and every year when they come to Bud Walton.
Brandon:
I’ve enjoyed your writing for awhile now. I’ve appreciated your open practice observations to your offbeat quirky questions to players and coaches in the Slophouse videos. As an Arkansas expat in Atlanta you made feel connected to the team, which I appreciate greatly. The written word of sportswriting can be a little dry at times, but your videos added spice and gave me a more complete feel for your personality and point of view. Many thanks and good luck.
Robert McLemore
Good luck and best wishes.Your coverage of the Hogs has been outstanding.Your blog during basketball and baseball games was so much appreciated.
As a lonely razorback in Alabama, thanks for the benefit of your hard work. You will be missed! Best of luck in Mississippi!
Mike Lewis
Thanks for all the great stuff Brandon. Best wishes and farewell. Do they even get breaking bad in Starkville?
Our loss is the Dogs gain.
I’ve only recently started following your writings and have been very impressed with your work.
So, living the dream…in Starkville?
brandon i enjoyed your comments always good stuff
keep the lord in your heart and you will see the stars
Great job, Brandon! God’s speed in Starkville!
Brandin, many people seem to have great things to say about your writing in Arkansas. They’re already missing you. That makes me look forward to your coverage of Miss State. You’ve got big shoes to fill, but looks like you’ll be well equipped.
Get ready for the big game Thursday!!!!!
Brandon, you have done very good work. How could the Gazette let you get away?! Your devotion to the craft of writing and newspaper reporting is easy to see. You are a hard worker, and the reader was the one to benefit. I’m sure that you will do very well in this business. My late father, Guy Barnes, was a reporter for The Morning News of Springdale, and I think he would have liked your work. Best wishes. I’m sure that if things don’t work out in Starkville, you can always come back to Fayetteville.
Thanks for your reports. It pretty much became my sole source for hog news. You were elegant with the pen and straight to the point. We will miss you.
Brandon,
I just moved NWA from (irony) Brandon, MS. Having spent 8 years in MS I have to say I couldn’t get out fast enough! I will say this, MS does not live down to it’s perception. I was pleasantly surprised. Having the chance though to move anywhere close to an airport, having tried to get back home to AR for 20 years, having to drive 8 hours one-way to home games, was just too much to pass up. I guess it’s true that home is where the heart is and my heart has always been in AR. Emotionally, I did leave parts of my heart there as my 2 daughters are at MSU. (i know, they have already been written out of the will) My oldest daughter has a position closely related to the atheletic and marketing departments. They are both still Hogs at heart so if you ever need anything, let me know.
Good to see someone have the opportunity to follow their dream. Good luck and much happiness. By the way, Mugshots (starkville & jackson) and the Veranda are can’t miss eating joints!
david
Brandon,
Good luck covering MSU and congratulations on being able to get back home. We’ll all miss you and you’ll always be a member of the Razorback family.
Thanks for your hard work. Good luck in your new job.
Best of luck to you Brandon “CardinalHog” Marcello!!
Good luck at your new job Brandon. We’ll all miss you here in Arkansas.
Best of luck Brandon. I just hope Matt is half as good as you have been. Congrats on going “home”.
As a 15 year old who moved from arkansas to tennessee when he was 12 I’ve always wanted to be a sports writer. I’ve enjoyed reading everything you put on the slophouse since there isnt much coverage of arkansas out here in Chattanooga. Thanks for everything and best of luck to you
hey man good luck in MS . You’ve done such a great job covering the HOGS . State is lucky to have writting for them .
Thanks for the great coverage. Good luck at MSU!
Out of the twenty something blogs, web-sites, and places to view Hog info (that I am aware of), the Slophouse was one of the first two or three clicks I go to each day. That is a reflection on the quality of reporting and information you provided. Thanks and good luck.
Thanks for helping me stay connected. I live in west alabamy exactly 40 miles from Starkville and Tuscaloosa, and I’ve really enjoyed your insight and humor. I will contact you once you get set up and buy you a meal to show my gratitude and remember to not wear a hoghat to your first Mullin interview!
your a champion in my book Brandon,no matter what school you cover.
Thanks for all your service on this site, Brandon. You have been the most insightful, most informative source of Razorback news for as long as I’ve been reading your blog. Your contributions are appreciated and will be missed. Good luck with your new job!
Brandon,
I am glad you get to go home. You have done a great job on this blog. You have been instrumental in getting great Razorback news available online. Even after you’re gone your legacy will be that people like me – who are stuck in Big 12 country – feel connected to our beloved hogs.
Good work, Brandon. I’ve always enjoyed reading your work. Best of luck to you in Mississippi.
Brandon,
You did a great job covering the Hogs! As a Razorback stuck in ACC country in NC, I have greatly appreciated your perspective on the Hogs! Best of luck in Starkville! Hope they know it is their good fortune.
Sincerely,
NCHogFan
Was actually doing some research and came across this website. I must say that this article is great! Keep writing more. We will be following your articles