Photo by Michael J. Gallegos

La Cueva's Becky Preston reacts to the blood on her hand after knocking heads with another player during the first half of the Bears' state tournament semifinal against Gallup at The Pit. Covering the state tournament, like this one in in March 2002, has been a highlight every year at The Tribune. La Cueva lost the game that day, but Preston came back in the second half to lead all players in scoring.

Photo by Craig Fritz

Drew Herig, 10, keeps his glove handy in case a ball comes his way. This moment was captured during the Isotopes' inaugural game at their new park on April 11, 2003.

More Sports Columnists

• Richard Stevens: Faces I'll remember are the smallest ones
• Richard Stevens: Lobos are a 'very fragile' team
• Richard Stevens: Aggies were outplayed, outcoached by Lobos, Alford

MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
  08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008
• Congressman is indicted
  08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Series of attacks target Green Zone
  08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Iran is defying U.N., agency says
  08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Waterboarding approval probed
  08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008

TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*

• Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
• Is Rome Burning?
• Ominous Skies
• The Road to Invalidation
• Albuquerque company participates in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

SHARE THIS STORY [?]

I began my career at The Tribune writing obituaries, a tough assignment for any cub reporter.

But when you are surrounded by death, you learn to celebrate life.

The death of The Tribune today is a chance for those of us who knew her to celebrate the life she breathed.

A fellow Tribune sports scribe, the late Carlos Salazar, taught me that every person, every place, every thing has a story to tell.

From the ordinary to the extraordinary.

"So tell it," he would say.

So I did.

Or at least I tried.

For nearly 20 years, I've been writing and editing stories at the best pound-for-pound newspaper in the country.

The Albuquerque Tribune has allowed me the privilege to have the best seat in the house to witness the sports history of our community.

And I enjoyed every moment.

Whether it was ringside at a Johnny Tapia fight - sweat and blood flying - or courtside at The Pit during a noise-deafening triple-overtime thriller.

I enjoyed every moment.

Whether it was at the opening of Isotopes Park or witnessing the magical run of the University of New Mexico women's basketball team all the way to the Sweet 16.

I enjoyed every moment.

Whether it was talking to Dennis Rodman or Dennis Franchione or Hulk Hogan or a hulking lineman at Highland High.

I enjoyed every moment.

Whether it was watching the Lobos football team finally end its bowl jinx or attending our version of March Madness at the high school state tournaments.

I enjoyed every moment.

It's impossible to squeeze 20 years of sports moments into 20 or so inches of copy.

So I won't try.

But I would like to say goodbye to a few of those in the sports world who have touched my life during my nearly two decades here at The Trib.

Thanks to former Albuquerque High coach Jim Hulsman for keeping the flat-top haircut en vogue all those years. And for making Bulldog City a great place to watch high school hoops.

Thanks to ex-Highland football coach Bill Gentry. I'll always remember your Texas drawl, wing-T offense and fondness for the fedora. We Hornets have to stick together.

Thanks to the late Pat McKernan, the sometimes gruff but always lovable general manager of the Albuquerque Dukes. He taught me to ask the right questions or you won't get the right answers.

Thanks to X's and O's guru Don Flanagan. If I were to become a college basketball coach in my next life, I'd like to be you.

Thanks to no-nonsense good-guy Rocky Long. See Don Flanagan.

Thanks to high school coaches Judge Chavez and Aaron Ocampo for your sense of humor. And for letting The Linz pick on you.

Thanks to Frank Castillo, Ray Rodriguez, Doug Dorame, Stan McKeever, Ron Murphy, Damion Segura, Larry Waters, Dick Johnston, Pete Pino and many others in the coaching profession. Never forget your mission to teach life's lessons through sport.

Thanks to all those amazing athletes over the years.

The bone-crunching hits of Brian Urlacher.

The Coop-A-Loop alley-oops of Michael Cooper.

The rock Õem, sock Õem Tapia fists of fury.

Thanks to all the dedicated high school statisticians who called in their nightly scores. You are our unsung heroes. Whether you realized it or not, you were a big part of our success.

And thanks to my sports staff and fellow Tribunistas, past and present.

John Whitmore's devotion to getting Little Johnny's name in the newspaper is an honorable trait.

James Staley, your talent for storytelling will take you far some day. Don't give up that dream.

Phil Parker, Mr. Flip Side, keep raging against the machine.

Richard Stevens . . . you're like a big brother to me. I admire your way with words and cherish your friendship. Always.

To many of our readers, you were the conduit to their heroes, their sons and daughters. You told of the good and the bad. You were loved and hated.

Most of all, you made me laugh. That down-deep-in-the-belly laugh. That's a true gift.

To ex-Tribune sports editor John O'Rourke, thanks for giving me a shot.

To ex-Tribune sports writers Iliana Lim¢n and Jeremy Fowler: You were both great teammates.

And thanks to Phill Casaus, my boss, for rolling up your sleeves and pitching in. For leading by example. For caring so much. For being Dick Vermeil.

And thanks to you, our loyal readers. Without you, our words and photos would have no reason for existing.

Yes, it is a sad day. A sad ending to a place I love.

But let us celebrate the life of The Tribune instead of grieving over her death.

So I guess this is so long, farewell. Thanks for the memories.

Vaya con Dios, amigos. Viva La Tribune!

Garcia is The Tribune's sports editor. He has been covering sporting events at the newspaper since 1989.