I remember driving into Decatur for the first time in late February of 2003. It was rainy, cold and basically miserable. I interviewed with former Messenger editor Skip Nichols on a Saturday afternoon and had noticed that the local rodeo grounds were full of people despite the nasty weather.

Nichols told me it was a major swap meet weekend, and it was supposed to be muddy for the event because that's the way it had been the last few years. He also told me that if I was offered the job I would learn that I could never please everyone.

I was hired two days after that interview, and it didn't take long for me to realize that old coot was right. As I celebrate my fifth year at the Mess this week, I've often thought about his cautious words as well as all of the fun the last 60 months.

There are many stories to tell in my first half decade here, and some that we shall just keep tucked away. As I stroll down my own memory lane, I will share a few of the highlights of my Wise County stop.

The "Decatur Messenger"

Ah yes, the infamous reference that our fans outside of Decatur like to toss our way. I hear it nearly on a monthly basis, and it's almost silly.

It gets borderline comical in the sports world. I hear the Bridgeport folks say we cover too much Decatur. The Paradise faithful question why I cover all the Boyd sports that I do. Chico followers ask why there is so much Alvord, and the rabid fans of Decatur can't figure out why I cover all schools but their own.

As I see it: If everyone is upset, then I must be doing something right. The more fan mail I receive, the more I view it as a pat on the back from those who are actually complaining.

So if crying builds a river, let's fill an ocean. I came to Wise County with thick skin and I will leave with it.

Joking aside, I believe the sports section has blossomed into one of the best in the country for a newspaper of our size. In the fall and winter we have as many as 42 teams to cover when you add up football, volleyball, boys' and girls' cross country and boys' and girls' basketball. In the spring the number is well over 50 with baseball, softball and the boys' and girls' teams of track, golf, tennis and power lifting.

Our coverage is bigger than it has ever been while using the same staff we did five years ago. We have also added more photography to our sports pages, more game stories and less sports briefs and have introduced video sports highlights on our Web site.

Keeping up with the talent we have in Wise County while pleasing our sports-hungry audience (and those parents who are never happy while living vicariously through their children) will continue to be tough, but if there is a team anywhere strong enough to keep up with eight high schools, you can count on the Messenger to keep on delivering, thanks to a talented staff and a publisher that gives us the resources to highlight the great kids of Wise County.

Spoiled with success

I have been in sports journalism since my college playing days ended and never have I been around so much success. And it all comes from a small county of just over 60,000 people.

My first five years have been filled with some of the most unfortunate losses, such as Wylie owning Decatur in football in two years that could had ended with state titles for the Eagles, but I have never covered as many state champions at any point of my career. In fact, I have watched 12 state championships in football, golf, track, cross country and powerlifting in my half decade of service to Wise County readers.

Photographer Joe Duty and myself have done our best to showcase those rare rewards with big stories and great pictures. But I feel like the one who has been rewarded most because I have highlighted some of the great kids such as Kate Moss (golf) of Chico, Krystal Sherman (powerlifting) of Decatur and the Boyd football team that defeated the odds and doubters while etching their names into the state history books.

Watching our athletes accomplish what so few get the chance to do is priceless and will always be the biggest reward in this profession.

Losing more than games

With the exception of a few programs, most coaches hide from the press when they are in the midst of a losing season. Getting results to the newspapers, both big and small media publications, is not a priority for coaches who lose more than they win. And if it's a last-place kind of season, getting any stats is very unlikely.

This can also be said for those who coach some of the less popular sports such as tennis, powerlifting and soccer. Win, lose or draw, cheating the kids out of recognition is a problem.

There is always at least one coach in each of the major sports who does not nominate any of their kids for the All-Wise County teams. And it's always from the team that has the fewest wins such as the basketball season we just completed where two area coaches did not nominate a player.

I just don't get it. I don't know if it's just pride that gets in the way or thinking that some sports just don't matter, but it matters to every child no matter what the sport or score might be.

I have learned a lot from Chico this year and admire the work effort of this struggling sports program.

The Dragons deal with the smallest talent pool in Wise County, but I have yet to see any team give up. I have also heard plenty of positive feedback from the kids and parents of Chico about our coverage which has been great to hear.

Sure, we don't cover as much CHS stuff as we probably should, but what we do share with our readers has been well received even though it came during football and basketball season when there were many more losses than wins.

There is an old adage that I firmly believe: Bad press is better than no press. If a coach believes losing is bad, then remember it's better to report it because it's the kids who will not have those scrapbooks to look back on in their prep careers.

Big changes

The last year has been challenging for the Morgan household. A change in my wife's career path has brought upon us some challenging financial situations, and my decision to have bariatric weight loss surgery has been quite an experience.

I've lost well over 200 pounds in the last 15 months, and I literally feel like a different person. I'm always on the run which has made an amazing difference on my work performance and personal life.

It's been nice seeing the weight drop on the scale and nearly 20 inches melt away on my waistline, but the best part has been the kind words and encouragement of coaches, parents and even our local athletes.

That has made the biggest difference in keeping me motivated as I win this battle of obesity. I thank every person who has touched my life directly and indirectly during the last five years for making this the best job I've ever had.

I also thank those parents and readers who have called or written with their complaints about any concerns with the sports.

Some have been valid and have made me a better sports dude, while others simply give me a good laugh. Whatever the case, I continue to learn every day and I can only hope to learn just as much in the coming years.