Just another day at Coupeville Sports world headquarters. (David Svien photo)
Double digits.
Today — Aug. 15, 2022 — marks the 10th birthday of Coupeville Sports, a blog born in anger that transformed over time into something else.
Most days, at least.
Along the way, I’ve been kicked out of my local press box at least once (I deserved it), been banned from attending games at another school (later rescinded) and tried to quit several times.
My most recent aborted departure was derailed when a worldwide pandemic surfaced, pulling me back in to write … just as prep sports went away for a year plus.
Through big wins and tough losses, a couple of track and field state championship titles for Danny Conlisk, and a lot of self-righteous blathering on a varied series of topics, I’ve churned out 9,391 articles and counting.
It would be more, but, that whole “no live sports for a year-plus” thing did sort of put a crimp in things.
There are those who love what I do, and those who hear my name and make a face like they’re sucking on one lemon while trying to jam another three up their tush.
Thankfully, there’s enough of the former that I continue to dodge the odds and survive financially thanks to the kindness of donations.
There’s never been a paywall on the blog, something which remains as true on day #3,653 as it did back on day #1.
They said it wouldn’t work, and yet, most of “them” are long gone, and I’m still chugging along, with the occasional hiccup.
Ultimately, Coupeville Sports is all about the words — though I am eternally grateful to all those who have let me, a non-photographer, use their pics.
From John Fisken and Shelli Trumbull to Morgan White and Jackie Saia and everyone else who has said “yes” to sharing their images with my readers, thank you. It wouldn’t be the same without you.
But, while the blog itself is the core, it has also allowed me to accomplish some things in the real world which stand out.
My two biggest achievements in the last decade were being able to, with the help of many others, celebrate the 101st anniversary of CHS boys basketball, and the creation of the Wall of Fame in the high school gym.
So, where do we go from here?
Well, prep sports return this week, with high school football set to start practice Wednesday, and all other fall teams kicking off new seasons next Monday. The first game is Sept. 2.
My pursuit of 10,000 stories is ongoing, my quest to find every last point scored in a CHS varsity basketball game endures, and I still think the school’s stadium should be named in honor of longtime Wolf coach Ron Bagby.
If nothing else, I’m likely to annoy some folks — a couple of days ago I was called sexist for using the term “man benches” — and, hopefully, find the right balance to keep Coupeville Sports relevant.
We shall see. Keep your lemons at the ready.
