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Today, after three years, over 25 articles and one year as sports editor, I say goodbye to @theeyeopener. I’ll always be an alum of course, but it’s time for me and my days contributing to come to a close
All of my work can be found here:
https://will-baldwin.com/the-eyeopener/
Oh, and THREAD
All of my work can be found here:
https://will-baldwin.com/the-eyeopener/
Oh, and THREAD
I have to first mention my special issue, #WhySportMatters.
Putting this together felt like a culmination of everything I learned in my five years of university. If you haven't yet, I urge you to give it a read, it's something I'm exceptionally proud of https://twitter.com/TheWillBaldwin/status/1372646732241252352?s=20
Putting this together felt like a culmination of everything I learned in my five years of university. If you haven't yet, I urge you to give it a read, it's something I'm exceptionally proud of https://twitter.com/TheWillBaldwin/status/1372646732241252352?s=20
My time at the Eye started thanks to an in-class visit from then sports editors @ChristianRyanNS and @peterash_. One basketball recap later and I was hooked (I re-read it and it's not awful lmao).
Anyways, safe to say that class visit changed my life https://twitter.com/peterash_/status/1057983352957886464?s=20
Anyways, safe to say that class visit changed my life https://twitter.com/peterash_/status/1057983352957886464?s=20
Over the first two years, I wrote a bunch of basketball recaps, a team preview and a couple of features. My favourite piece is still this one on women's pro-sports as unfortunately, it's still extremely applicable. https://twitter.com/TheWillBaldwin/status/1108557045949706241?s=20
In March 2020 at U Sports Basketball Nationals, @libaanstar1 came up to me and asked if I would be interested in running for the position of sports editor, I said no 
.
Libaan of course insisted on explaining the position anyways and it ended up getting me thinking...
. Libaan of course insisted on explaining the position anyways and it ended up getting me thinking...
I was coming into my final year of uni and felt no real connection to the school. But then I thought about the Eye, the importance of the section to me and the fact I could leave Rye having been a part of something.
So I decided to run https://twitter.com/TheWillBaldwin/status/1237850024781811712?s=20
So I decided to run https://twitter.com/TheWillBaldwin/status/1237850024781811712?s=20
Thanks to this exceptional poster and my mediocre speech (on re-read it's very meh), I was able to take down my rival the Spleen and win the position of sports editor for the 2020-21 school year
One of the things I most wanted to do was launch a sports-specific Twitter account
Although I didn't get to do everything I wanted to with it because of the lack of sports, I'm proud to of laid the foundation for its existence ( @eyeopenersports) https://twitter.com/theeyeopener/status/1306236909858033666?s=20
Although I didn't get to do everything I wanted to with it because of the lack of sports, I'm proud to of laid the foundation for its existence ( @eyeopenersports) https://twitter.com/theeyeopener/status/1306236909858033666?s=20
When I was talking to @SeanFitz_Gerald he told me the history of Eggy gets written once a decade or so. I am exceptionally thankful I got to dive down the Eggy rabbit hole (and you better believe I'm going to archives to see the heads when it re-opens) https://theeyeopener.com/2020/09/the-history-of-eggy-the-ram/
I never wanted to write this piece and frankly never thought it would become a reality. But, you can't tell my Eye story without looking back on the day it was confirmed sports were cancelled for this school year https://theeyeopener.com/2020/10/breaking-oua-announces-cancellation-of-winter-sports-until-march-31-2021/
For a kid who grew up addicted to hockey history books, getting to write a piece about the place many of the moments I read about took place was very special
Now I just can't wait to get back to @MattamyAC and watch a game. It's been far, far too long https://theeyeopener.com/2020/11/this-feels-like-home-how-the-construction-of-the-mattamy-athletic-centre-laid-the-foundation-for-a-successful-ryerson-athletics-culture/
Now I just can't wait to get back to @MattamyAC and watch a game. It's been far, far too long https://theeyeopener.com/2020/11/this-feels-like-home-how-the-construction-of-the-mattamy-athletic-centre-laid-the-foundation-for-a-successful-ryerson-athletics-culture/
In all honesty, this is probably my favourite piece I've ever written. Between the subject matter, the work that went into it and the challenge of doing it correctly, I'm really proud of how it came out.
Oh and it's @KamalAlSolaylee approved
https://theeyeopener.com/2021/02/like-poetry-how-basketball-and-hip-hop-are-intertwined/
Oh and it's @KamalAlSolaylee approved
https://theeyeopener.com/2021/02/like-poetry-how-basketball-and-hip-hop-are-intertwined/
In this piece, I got to talk to some of the most important people in journalism in Canada, one of my sports journalism inspirations growing up and even more really cool people, all with the shared thing with me of this job.
I'll never forget this piece https://theeyeopener.com/2021/03/catching-up-with-eyeopener-sports-editors-of-the-past/
I'll never forget this piece https://theeyeopener.com/2021/03/catching-up-with-eyeopener-sports-editors-of-the-past/
Okay now to the thank yous starting with @CatherineAbes
There's a lot of things I could thank Cath for but I think the most important is that she created an atmosphere that allowed me to do everything I wanted to and more this year which is all you can ever ask out of a boss
There's a lot of things I could thank Cath for but I think the most important is that she created an atmosphere that allowed me to do everything I wanted to and more this year which is all you can ever ask out of a boss
@charlizealcaraz, @alexandra_holyk, @hiheidilee, @uhhbeer, @aaliyahdasoo, @kiernang19, @dhritimgupta, @rockie__road, @ohlalailaa, @itsharrybyharry, @jesromas, @Parniks, @Dough4Revolt, @tylerxgriffin, @kylzhu, @libaanstar1, @roman_reports, @rheasingh1241, @madiwongg
It was a true pleasure working with each and every one of you. I was regularly inspired by the work you did and genuinely cannot wait to see what each of you goes on to do. If any of you ever need anything, do not hesitate to reach out at any time, I'm always available
To the contribs, of which there are too many to thank here, you are really what makes this job special. Getting to work with you and watch you grow through even one story or the year is the best part and I can't thank you enough for doing what you did in this challenging year
To @Gavin77axe, I wish you the best of luck. I know you're going to do great things with the section. If you ever need anything don't hesitate to reach out, the sports editor position is part of a real family of incredibly talented people and I'm excited to welcome you into it
My final thought is what I'm most proud of which is despite this truly fucked year, we were able to continue this section on the right path. At times it was really tough but I'm proud of the way everyone helped me handle it, I feel real pride in the foundation we laid this year
I know @CatherineAbes will be excited to find out I cried writing this thread but, not because I don’t want to go.
Because saying goodbye to an era that profoundly changed your life is never easy. The eye will always be a part of my story and for that, I'll always be thankful
Because saying goodbye to an era that profoundly changed your life is never easy. The eye will always be a part of my story and for that, I'll always be thankful
