Same beat, new location.
My name is Jeff Patrus, and I will be taking the reins as the new sports editor for The Citizen, covering Brandon and Goodrich sports. Previously, I was at The Clarkston News, one of the sister publications of The Citizen, where I spent three years, the last two covering local sports.
During that time, I lived in Clarkston, right around the block from the News office. I still live in the same place, so it’s been sort of an adjustment actually having to drive a significant distance to work, but that’s okay.
I am a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Harper Woods, and an alumnus of Central Michigan University (Go Chips!). As you may guess, I am excited about my alma mater’s appearance in the NCAA college basketball tournament. Of course, by the time readers check this out, the Chips will more than likely be eliminated from the tourney, but that doesn’t diminish their accomplishment.
As anyone who knows me will attest to, I am a major sports fan, with college and pro football, hockey and college basketball (during March Madness) being my favorites.
From my experiences in Clarkston, I saw firsthand how much high school sports can unify a community. When local teams or individuals do particularly well, the community shares in that success, and it gives the locals something to talk about in the grocery store or when they’re out to eat.
It is this community perspective I intend to bring to the table here at The Citizen. I’m looking forward to meeting as many coaches and players as I possibly can. Once the spring sports season gets underway, I’ll be at as many local events as possible, giving you a birds-eye view of the action.
However, I’m sure there are other athletic and recreation events worth writing about in a community newspaper. From what my colleague Meghan Carbary tells me, the weekly BGO Recreation Department updates (aka the BGO Briefs) are a big hit with readers, and there are undoubtedly similar events going on in Goodrich as well.
With that in mind, if there’s a sports or recreation event that I’m not aware of, please let me know. Whether it’s a local gymnastics tournament, a travel baseball team winning a championship, a youth wrestling team’s latest results, or anything of that nature, it’s worth reading about here in The Citizen.
(Call Jeff with your story ideas at 248-627-4332 or contact him by fax at 248-627-4408. His E-mail address is jmpatrus@aol.com.)

What seemed inevitable has finally become reality – a coalition led by the United States has gone to war with Iraq with the intent to depose Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Understandably, the entire nation is concerned about the events going on in the world and wondering what the casualties in terms of human loss will be. With that in mind, sporting events, whether they be at the high school, college or professional level, don’t seem all that important.
However, the games will soon go on for Brandon and Goodrich athletes – and rightfully so.
After the Sept. 11 attacks, President George W. Bush urged all Americans to continue their daily lives and not to live in fear – to do otherwise would give the terrorists and others that hate America what they want. Unquestionably, the same message still applies in light of the war with Iraq.
The local sporting events will allow all people involved – players, coaches, officials and fans – to take their mind off world events for a couple of hours and have fun. For that matter, it will have the same effect on your fearless reporter when he’s out and about at the games.
That’s nothing to feel ashamed of. An unhealthy amount of dwelling on these events leads to depression and physical illness – and it doesn’t do anything to solve the world conflict.
There has to be a healthy balance in that regard. Citizens should certainly stay informed about world events and engage in healthy discussions with family, friends and work colleagues. However, there also has to be a time and place for people to engage in a little rest and relaxation.
People can do several things to show their support for the soldiers at war – praying, writing letters, displaying the American flag and resolving to live more peaceful lives are all appropriate responses to the situation.
Just because people gather for a period of time at a baseball field, track or tennis court doesn’t make them any less patriotic or concerned about our country. It just means they’re normal human beings.