It feels like I've been saying goodbye for months now, but this week really is it for me at FOX23. If you haven't heard, we are moving to Jacksonville, Florida later this week. I will be in a similar capacity at the FOX/CBS stations in the sunshine state.
I'm not really a big fan of these sappy goodbyes, but I figured this is a good forum to at least say thank you to so many folks that have made the last five years an incredible experience.
We arrived in October of 2002 with little knowledge of the Capital Region and leave with so many fond memories. My first story was out in Cobleskill for a playoff football game preview. A few weeks later I covered Cambridge in the state playoffs in Tupper Lake -- it had to be the coldest I've ever been in my life. I learned one thing right away, don't wear dress shoes and slacks to Tupper Lake in November, wear your ski gear!
Here's a list of some other things I had a chance to be a part of in no particular order:
- Funny Cide's Triple Crown run
- Red Sox/Yankees ALCS 2003, 2004
- RPI snow game against Ithaca (snowed about 2 feet during the game)
- UAlbany's NCAA trips and near upset of UConn
That's just a brief list, but there have been so many wild events, different sports and incredible stories. If you've followed FOX23 in recent years, you know I like to tell stories. The Capital Region is full of so many amazing athletes and sharing those stories with viewers has been a privilege.
One of the coolest things I covered was my wife's sectional championship last fall. Coach Martineau led the Niskayuna Silver Warriors to a school record 17 wins and while it was undoubtedly the strangest interview I've ever done it will always be a keepsake I'll cherish.
This area is special for many reasons but topping the list is this was the place our twins, Tyler and Kaylee, were born. Their arrival in April of 2005 will always make Albany home. If that wasn't magical enough, my beloved Red Sox won two World Series Championships (2004, 2007) during my run here and I got to cover them both times.
It's also been a pleasure to be a part of what I think is one of the best sports departments in the country. Rich Becker, Scott Morlock and Matt Ryan (has sinced moved on) accepted me into an already stellar department and along the way they taught me so much about this profession. More importantly, I consider them great friends and great men. If you've had the fortune to meet them over the years, I'm sure you feel the same way.
Fortunately for you, Rich and Scott will continue to cover the Capital Region like nobody else can. While its unfortunate I won't be a part of it, the Capital Region will always be a part of our lives.
Thanks for being so kind, especially with the warm wishes the last few weeks and hopefully we'll meet again down the road.
Good luck,
Brent Martineau
