Everything old is new again.

I have worked as a reporter covering Shelby County and the surrounding area for about 30 years. But way back in the 1980&8217;s, I was actually the sports editor of this newspaper. Now, that is a position that I embrace once more.

The last sports event I covered as sports editor for the &8220;Reporter&8221; was the PGA golf championship at Shoal Creek in 1984.

I will, no doubt, miss covering the hard news of the county. But I am ready to play a part in helping the &8220;Reporter&8221; head in a new direction to become better than ever in every department.

Despite my reputation as a news reporter, sports writing and sports photography have always been a part of my duties.

I covered Thompson High School when the Warriors, under the direction of head coach James Larry Simmons, won the 1982 state 3A football championship.

I covered Briarwood Christian School when it first made application to play public high schools in football.

I covered Shelby County race drivers who raced at the state fairgrounds in Birmingham. And I covered the old Talladega 500.

I remember I had a pit pass, but not a victory lane pass. So I ate with the Allisons, covered the race from the perspective of pit row and stood on a garbage can to shoot a photo of the winner over a fence.

I am also somewhat infamous for taking a denim golf bag to Shoal Creek.

But one of my fondest memories dates from college at the University of Alabama. I once interviewed the late great UA head football coach Paul &8220;Bear&8221; Bryant for the &8220;Crimson White.&8221; He had been standing for hours and continued to stand during our interview.

Times have changed, but I am excited to begin a new phase of my career … going back to doing something I love … covering sports.

Seeing the smile on a kid&8217;s face when he or she sees their name and photo in print for doing something well on the field of competition never grows old