From the editor: A thank you to Kurt Faust

by Jason Wolverton

Just a few minutes ago I finished writing a story about Kurt Faust resigning as the head coach of the Dow High football program.

Seems over the next few days there will probably be a few others writing stories, too, and even more sharing stories about the man who led the Chargers’ program for the last six seasons.

But let me take a moment to tell you another story about Kurt Faust. A story that is close to me both personally and professionally.

Just over two years ago MidlandSports.com barely existed, and only in a shell of its current self. We did a few games here and there – covered some basketball, covered some baseball – but few knew about us.

Kurt Faust certainly didn’t know about us, that is, until I sent him an e-mail and told him about my crazy plan to create a Web site that covered sports in Midland. He agreed to meet with me, so I drove to Dow High one afternoon late that summer to introduce myself.

Kurt was in a meeting with his football coaches at the time, but came out and talked to me for a few minutes. As I explained my plan to cover his football program top to bottom, he seemed almost skeptical at first. I can’t say I really blame him, though, as I’m not sure how I would have reacted if someone told me a few years ago that a couple guys on Louanna Street were going to try to compete with the Midland Daily News in covering local sports.

But as we talked I also got the impression that Kurt was going to give me the chance to prove myself. And as long as we kept plugging away, he was going to do what he could to help. I got the impression he carries that same mindset with his players.

I remember later that season I was covering a junior varsity game on a nasty cold and rainy night and Kurt was there watching his future players. He walked up to me and chatted for a while – nothing earth shattering – but he told me he thought we were doing a great job. Coming from a coach that deals with much bigger media outlets, that meant a lot.

As time went on, I talked to Kurt a little more and he always was quick to compliment MidlandSports. He would let me know when news worthy things were happening with the team and invited us to cover the college signings of a few of his players. That was important to us, as news tips aren’t exactly plentiful around these parts.

In the end, the whole Dow football program really welcomed us in when a lot of other teams and coaches weren’t so inviting. I’m not saying others were rude or off-putting, but Kurt and his coaches really made us feel like we belonged on the sidelines covering their games.

So as he announces his resignation, I can’t help but think about where we would be had Kurt Faust not put aside his skepticism and given us a chance to do what we love to do. For that, I will always be grateful and wish him the best of luck moving forward.

Thank you, Kurt.