Even though you haven't heard the last from her, here are a few parting words from my retired American News teammate Deb Smith.
Deb has agreed to help us out from time-to-time. But I still wanted to talk about all the hard work she put into reporting about area athletes for the last 15 years.
On Friday night at halftime of the Hub City Bowl, Central paid tribute to Deb as she was introduced to the cheering crowd and presented with a lifetime pass to Golden Eagles events. The best part was when the Central head coaches lined up and gave Deb a well-deserved hug.
That was very cool and made me teary-eyed.
So I have been doing some research (imagine that). What I found was some leads of Deb's stories over the years. I thought I would share.
I know, Deb, this will not be as exciting as your summer of 1995. That is when you as the Northern State sports information director and your helper and NSU assistant coach of all trades, Tim Miles, won third place in the national NAIA contest for best publication. Remember that award-winning 1994 NSU home football game program you and the now Nebraska men's basketball coach put together?
Well, again, this won't be nearly as exciting. However, here are some of your words from the past:
The Northern State women's volleyball team received top billing at the Barnett Center on Tuesday night, but will turn the stage over to President George W. Bush Thursday.
When Kim Lien's friends and family ask what she did for the weekend, she can reply, "I won a world championship."
About the only time Jamie Moulsoff sits down in one spot for any length of time is when she's behind the wheel of her race car.
Three South Dakota state pole vault champions of different genders, schools, ages and classes possess a common denominator - knowledge from the same coach.
A swimming recruit for Grand Canyon University in the fall, Aberdeen Central's Hannah Kastigar made a big splash on dry land at the State AA Track and Field Meet this spring.
Northern State's offense took advantage of what the defense allowed.
The Aberdeen Central gymnastics coach encouraged his squad to compete with a big grin. At the end of the meet, Golden Eagle coach Jeff Sahli was the one wearing a big smile.
The Aberdeen Central volleyball team had Jo Rezac on the service line for match point and that's right where the Golden Eagles wanted her.
Mitchell native Greg Murley did not go searching for a head coaching position. It came looking for him.
The Aberdeen Central volleyball squad went from tears to cheers in just eight months.
It took Aberdeen Central 16 minutes to score 14 points in the first half, but only four minutes to score 16 points in overtime and win the game.
A Watertown seventh-grader tumbled into the spotlight at the Aberdeen Central Triangular.
The Cowan family of Highmore shot off a lot of fireworks the last weekend of June. The rodeo family is hoping for even more celebrations over the Fourth of July holiday.
Whether he's tackling a 200-pound running back or staying on the back of a 1,200-pound saddle bronc, Dexter Netterville has proven his toughness.
Not only is Braden Sommers of Aberdeen a BMX grand national champion, but he has a seven-foot trophy to prove it.
Both teams took good shots, but Pierre started making more of them in the fourth quarter.
The idea of an equestrian team could cause people to snicker or whinny.
It's part heredity and part environment, but bowling is in Brianna Kuckelburg's blood.
Other thingsI know
It was interesting to note that both the Northern State soccer team (won) and Aberdeen Wings (loss) played Friday in Topeka, Kan.
After the Wings 5-0 loss to Topeka Friday, they ran over the RoadRunners 8-1 Saturday.
Lutheran churches across the nation celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Sunday.
My wife found $20 on our dog walk Saturday morning. Email me with the serial numbers if it is yours.
Mixed Martial Arts fighter and Sioux Falls Lincoln High grad Shayna Baszler won her first bout on Season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter on Wednesday night on Fox Sports 1, advancing to the final 16. The 33-year-old is 16-8 as a pro and ranked eighth in her division.
McDonald's has added a game clock to at least one of its Aberdeen stores as seen Sunday: Get your order in 30 seconds once you pull up to the window during certain hours on certain days or win a free sandwich.
John Papendick is the managing news-sports editor for the American News: jpapendick@aberdeennews.com.
Twitter: @jpapendick