Sometimes people work much longer than they should because of their age or health concerns. I know it must be hard to make that decision. I have done some soul searching the past few weeks and have had to make a very hard decision that I will share with everyone.

I don’t think there is anyone within four counties that does not know how much I love my Gladiators. I know others do also, but these guys are my kids. We have a rich history together. Several years ago (more than I would like to admit), because the team was not getting any coverage, I asked the editor of the Itasca Express if I could submit Gladiator articles. He readily agreed because there was a lack of Italy news in his paper or any other for that matter.

I love to write. It is my passion. I should say I love to write almost as much as I love my Gladiators. Covering the games was grueling for an old, fat lady, but my kids were worth it. By the time I got home and wrote the article, I was exhausted. Sometimes my brain would not function, but a deadline was there so I pushed. My kids loved and still do love to see their name in print.

Because of doing the articles all these years, I have built some amazing relationships with these players that have carried over until the present time. I was so excited to see Jason Harris Friday night at the game. He was and still is one of my kids. I also got to escort Keith Davis onto the field at halftime – an honor that made me feel so special, almost as special as the time he gave me a special thanks for all I had done for him — Cowboy tickets to a special game with his mom. Then I saw Albert Garcia, Jr. yesterday and got a big wave and a smile — another one of my kids. I get hugs from my kids when I see them and that makes everything worth it all.

This year has been harder on me than any other physically, yet easier than some others because of Coach Bales and his willingness to talk to an old lady and share his game info with me. For that I am very thankful. At the first of this year, I told myself that this would be my last year. I wanted this group of guys to have the coverage and know that they were winners and champions — true Gladiators.

We have met most Friday’s at the Uptown to visit. They have listened to stories of past players and future players. They have humored this old lady because they know I love them and they love me back. They have enjoyed my homemade cookies (6 dozen of them) every winning week — just a thank you for a job well done.

I know that I am not a sports writer. I also know I make mistakes. But, my kids understand that no one is perfect. I can take criticism from my kids and not even blink because what I do, I do for them and no one else.

When fans and players families question what I write and my accuracy it bothers me. I know I make mistakes, but I would ask for understanding. While most of these fans were in bed sleeping last Friday night, I was feeding the kids at the 5th Quarter until midnight. Then I hit the computer to try and get my stats and write the article. I try to mention the kids when they do something awesome on offense and defense. Just for the record, I cannot mention every player or play in every article even though some people want me to. If I do not mention a player, it is not because I did not see what they did (but that does happen sometimes when one person has to keep up with offense and defense on every play). Evidently my last article made some fans unhappy and for that I apologize. Because of this, it is my choice to stop. Evidently I have gone past my effectiveness. I just hope my kids understand.

Let me set the record straight. Zach Hernandez did sack the quarterback for a 10 yard loss. In fact he sacked the quarterback twice in the game that I saw. Ross Enriquez had a sack for a loss of 6 yards. Kyle Wilkins also got a sack and a hard one at that. So did Clay Major. I wrote that Darren Moore intercepted a pass — he intercepted two and Diamond Rodgers intercepted one. Ross Enriquez caused a fumble. Ethan Simon, Clay Majors and Jonathan Nash recovered fumbles. If I left someone out, I apologize.

Anyway, back to the reason for this article – it is time to quit. When Italy fans cannot be understanding with what I do it is past time to quit. If I cannot write an article the way I want to, it is time to quit. I would like to thank everyone for their support. It has been a great ride because of the players and coaches. I will be at every game I can and yell loudly for my kids. The one thing I want them to know — I love each one of them and am very proud to call them “My Kids”.

Comments

by Eddie Saylors on Monday, October 27, 2008 at 11:40 a.m.

Thanks for all your time and efforts in covering the Gladiators. I check by weekly to see what is going on. Great job for all of you that put forth the effort to keep old Alumi informed. I have known you Karen for a long time and know you and your family never quit you just relax for awhile.

Good Luck and God Bless.

by Desiree Hernandez on Monday, October 27, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.

I would just like to say that Karen has done a wonderful job making sure that all of the Gladiators feel they are doing a great job no matter if it is a small thing or a big thing, she make these kids feel special. We are losing the best writer for our kids and this makes me very sad. We are not Italy lifetimers but you would never know that listening to Karen talk about our son (and I say our son because she is like a second mother to my child as well as all other children in Italy). You don’t just have to play on a team for her to consider you her child you just have to know her. She loves our kids and she deserves our respect. So please let her know whenever you see her that you respect her for loving our kids even if you don’t like her views. She holds no grudges for your views so hold none for hers. Now I’ll get off the soap box.

Desiree Hernandez proud supporter of Karen

by Danny Gentry on Monday, October 27, 2008 at 7:44 p.m.

Karen,

I know I can’t speak for all alumni, but as a former sportswriter for Gladiator football back in the ’80s, you have done a fantastic job and I am sorry to see that you are hanging up your reporter’s hat. I counted on reading your column each week to get me caught up with what was going on with the Gladiators. Like a lot of former Italy residents, I rely on the NeoTribune to bring me the news of my old hometown. Your articles are a true service to the community and to alumni like me.

Sports, especially Friday Night Football, is part of the glue that holds small towns like Italy together. Failing to report on Friday night’s game is like failing to report that a meteor struck Main Street. Failing to mention a few stats is like failing to report that gas prices went down again this week…everybody who already cares about it, knows about it by the time the article is printed. As a reader who did not attend the game, I want to know who WON and a general synopsis. That is what you do and have done very well. I don’t want or need to know every blow by blow detail. If someone wants that kind of detail, they should go to the game, experience it for themselves and preserve it on film. As a writer, you have to ignore the narcissistic crowd who just want to see their name in print, and report the game as you see fit. Are these people not aware that with today’s technology they can start their own Italy Gladiator blog and write sports articles with their name in it 24-7?

Sports writing is not a difficult job (I know because I have done it) but when you do it for free and in your spare time…well, that requires gifts that very few people in journalism possess…love and dedication. And Karen, you have both of those gifts in abundance! The NeoTribune can find another sports reporter, but the fact that you are stepping down because of an ungrateful and un-educated minority makes me angry (not at you Karen) at those individuals who would seek to tear you down. I wish that you would not let the opinions of a few “small-minded” individuals keep you from doing something that you love. Every community has its own set of “nay-sayers” and “know-it-alls” and Italy is no different. The best thing you can do with these folks is ignore them and maybe occasionally poke a little fun at them.

I have known you all my life Karen, and you are one of the most caring and hardworking individuals I have ever known. Very few people in Italy (or anywhere else for that matter) can claim the record of public service that you have done for your community AND for your country. Thank you for all you do for my hometown. Please reconsider your decision!

Danny Gentry
Gladiator…Class of 1986
Former Sports Writer for The Italy Press, Corsicana Daily Sun, Dallas Morning News (1982-1986)

by Stephen Coleman on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.

What a shame for the kids to lose someone of the caliber and quality of Karen. She does a tremendous job of promoting the kids. In twelve years of coaching I can honestly say that I have never met anyone like Karen. She does a great job and we are lucky to have her.

I can only suppose that some of those whom criticize her will take over the job since they obviously have all the answers. I shall not hold my breath. Those who have complained about the job she does should be ashamed of themselves.

by Robert Sollers on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 2:24 p.m.

Karen, it truly is a shame that you should be subject to ridicule for trying to cover what the young men in the Gold Helmets are doing from week to week. You do them honor by reporting on the games at all. They certainly don’t get any coverage elsewhere. Over my 19 years as a coach and another 29 as a coach’s son, I have witnessed a change in attitudes from TEAM-first to ME-first. That is contrary to the very nature of Football, Basketball, Baseball, or any team sport. Names on the back of uniforms is one example of the deterioration of the sport. The name on the FRONT of the uniform is the only name that should count. The team wins or loses, not one player. We stress that daily, but it is not stressed by today’s society. That is sad, because it is a reflection of the attitude of our country itself. We used to care for each other, and treat others with dignity and respect. That is seen less and less every day. The same deterioration happened to Ancient Rome, and it fell into decay just as we appear to be doing ourselves.

I truly hope that you have the opportunity to reconsider your decision and continue to cover the young people of Italy in their endeavors, and find the ability to ignore the bad attitudes of the few selfish whiners in our midst. The fans who appreciate your efforts far outnumber the ones who voice their ignorance through complaints.

From a true fan of yours,

Coach Robert Sollers
Italy Gladiators