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Eagle News Editor-in-chief, Justin Kane says final goodbyes and reflects on his experiences at FGCU and with Eagle News

Eagle+News+Editor-in-chief%2C+Justin+Kane+says+final+goodbyes+and+reflects+on+his++experiences+at+FGCU+and+with+Eagle+News
Editor-in-chief Justin Kane interviews FGCU men's tennis coach C.J. Webber Tuesday evening following the NCAA selection show.
Editor-in-chief Justin Kane interviews FGCU men’s tennis coach C.J. Webber Tuesday evening following the NCAA selection show. (EN Photo / Kelli Krebs)

On Aug 31, 2011, I had my first byline published in Eagle News.

It was a story about how the volleyball season was going to go ,and it was one of the happiest moments of my life. I shared it everywhere. I sent it to my mom, my dad and my advisor from high school and put it on Twitter and Facebook.

It was the start to an amazing career here with EN.

And now on April 29, 2015, I will have my final byline published.

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Four years and 121 issues later, I am done.

That first issue, the title under my name was “contributing writer,” and now I have the highest ranking you can have.

It has been a crazy four years.

When I first started here I used to tell people that I went to FGCU, and I was usually greeted with a blank stare or a “oh, nice… Where is that again?” Now if you say you go to FGCU, there is usually just one phrase that follows, “DUNK CITY!!!”

Yes, what happened in March 2013 was life-changing. I was lucky enough to be in Philadelphia, as the EN sports editor, when everything happened. I don’t want to say I am the reason we won, but when I bought my plane ticket I told my roommate that I know we are going to win and booked for all weekend. Nonrefundable. And sure enough, FGCU became a national name.

Not only was I in attendance for the men’s basketball team’s first appearance, I was in Tallahassee my freshman year to watch the FGCU women’s basketball team make its first NCAA tournament appearance. I was also in Orlando when men’s soccer played its first game in the NCAA tournament. Oh, and the last two, I was just a freshman at the time.

I’ve mostly been a sports writer in my time here at FGCU, and it’s been so fun. I can’t thank the athletic department enough for all their help and cooperation.

Not only has the athletic landscape changed since I started, but the school in general has. When I first started there was AB3, AB5, AB7, the Cohen Center was just the student union and Marieb Hall wasn’t finished yet. And not to mention, SoVi was just three buildings and a dining hall, nothing like the resort it is now. Imagine this, freshmen: We had to walk all the way to north lake to go swimming. I’m so excited to see what this school will look like when my brother, who will be a freshman in fall, graduates.

When I was a freshman, I had doubts about FGCU. I was this close to transferring, and my dad told me, “Just wait out this year and see what happens.If you don’t like it, transfer.” Well I waited out the year, and I was offered the sports editor position for the following year. So I decided to stay, and I can say that it was one of, if not the best, decisions of my life. I wouldn’t trade the last four years for anything.

Before I leave, there are some people I want to thank.

First and foremost: My parents. If it wasn’t for their support — and money — I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish everything I’ve done here. They are my biggest fans and read every article I write and keep all the newspapers that I bring home.

Next, I want to thank everyone who has had to deal with me on staff over the past four years. The previous three editors-in-chief, Allison Gagliardi, Megan Hoolihan and Kalhan Rosenblatt, my first editor, Josh Siegel, and of course, my staff now. I want to thank you guys for putting up with my music and the Ultra videos, my schedule on Tuesday nights and most importantly, thank you for believing in me and making this paper the best it’s ever been. Also to our advisor, Keith Gibson, who I’ve known for four years now and who isn’t afraid to tell me my column stinks or that something needs changing for the better. You guys are the best, and I’m going to miss you dearly.

Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank every one of you, the readers. If it weren’t for the readers, we wouldn’t do what we do. Granted we know that the newspaper isn’t the most popular medium, but when I see someone reading the paper or they say that they read my column or story, it just makes me happy. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart for continuing to read Kane’s Korner and supporting Eagle News.

On May 3, I will walk across the stage as a graduate from FGCU, but I know I will always be an Eagle.

Thank you all and prepare yourselves for great things to come from Eagle News.

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  • B

    Beautiful Homes of Southwest FloridaApr 30, 2015 at 9:04 pm

    Congrats Justin!

    Reply
  • B

    Beautiful Homes of Southwest FloridaApr 29, 2015 at 11:10 pm

    Congrats Justin!

    Reply