Parting shots: Derek Belt
June 4, 2004
In ninth grade, I entered a short-story contest out of necessity. I was failing honors English, and my teacher jokingly promised extra credit to anyone who entered. Well, I proceeded to write a kick-ass piece about space aliens and walked away with the crown.
My first-place finish not only gave me enough points to pass the class, but it triggered something inside of me that I just couldn't ignore. I'd always liked to write, but this was different. This was real. I had found my calling.
Ever since I was little, people have been telling me to write. But until I won that short-story contest, I hadn't really taken it seriously. It had always been more of a hobby than anything else, like collecting baseball cards or playing with G.I. Joes.
I came to The Daily in February 2001 fearing the absolute worst. I didn't know a thing about journalism, but I wanted to cover sports. If there wasn't an opening in the sports department, I was going to walk out the door and never come back.
Three years later, I say goodbye to The Daily once and for all. I will forever cherish the opportunities it provided me, and will never forget how my career as a sports journalist began.
"What do you know about women's golf?" they asked.
"Too much," I said.
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