I took two years of French in high school.  And even though I graduated a couple of years ago, I’m proud to say I can still count to ten, although one of the numbers is missing.

 

Today, we have come to say goodbye.

 

One year ago this week, a short, one line message appeared at the top of SalukiTalk.

 

“In the coming weeks ST will soon be providing more coverage of Saluki Athletics.  Go Dawgs.”

 

And with those words, Extra! was born.  Our goal was to take you behind the scenes, to provide Saluki coverage you could not get elsewhere.  It meant getting close to coaches and earning their respect.  It meant occasionally bumping heads.  In a season filled with highs and lows, it didn’t take Extra! long to get noticed. 

 

It started with a stupid prediction.

 

*****

 

www.st-extra.com/extra/?p=104

 

(Note to self:  no more predictions)

 

As the Saluki basketball team went south faster than you can say “Dominican,” Extra decided to look for a guard who could really shoot the basketball.  We found him.

 

www.st-extra.com/extra/?p=252

 

There was breakfast with Athletic Director Mario Moccia.  We were in the office of Chancellor Rita Cheng.  We never did find the 125 Girl, but we did find someone who sounded just as good.

 

www.st-extra.com/extra/?p=970

 

Battle lines were drawn in the sand, and if there was a Saluki in need, Extra! was there.

 

www.st-extra.com/extra/?p=1158

 

Extra! took you inside Dale Lennon’s office on football signing day, and provided live blogs from St. Louis at the Valley tournament.  And when Chris Lowery was fired, you learned about it on Extra!, hours before any other media reported the news.

 

www.st-extra.com/extra/?p=1221

 

You were behind the scenes for Lowery’s final days, and again for Moccia’s search that ended with Barry Hinson.  When winter turned to spring, we were there with Lennon at 5am sharp.  When it came time to caravan, you took over, at every stop, and provided great coverage.  And when the Saluki baseball team made its run at the Valley tournament, Extra! found some special fans.

 

www.st-extra.com/extra/?p=1762

 

Extra! became such a hit, even Saluki players wanted involved.

 

www.st-extra.com/extra/?p=1823

 

There were difficult stories to be sure, from Southern’s APR mess to Diamond Taylor stubbing his big toe, baby toe, and every other toe in between.  But we were looking for the good stories, and found one a long way from home.

 

www.st-extra.com/extra/?p=2107

 

Summer was a time to rest, unless you were Hinson, and never took a day off.  Extra! followed him through his first 100 days.

 

www.st-extra.com/extra/?p=1916

 

Moccia dropped by for a live chat, and you turned out in big numbers.  Extra! provided 17 football stories in 17 days leading up to opening night, and when recruits visited Carbondale, we told the stories through their eyes.

 

www.st-extra.com/extra/?p=2576

 

In 365 days, Extra! provided 220 stories.

 

*****

 

One year ago, Southern took a risk and invited SalukiTalk to be a credentialed media covering the Salukis.  It’s safe to say both sides looked at each other and wondered how this new relationship, formed through a computer, with guys named the Belleville Bobber, Hockeygoon, and Mr. Woodcock, would work.  And it worked fine.  Extra! would like to thank Moccia for allowing us access to tell wonderful Saluki stories, and to Media Services Director Tom Weber for helping make those stories come to life.  One year later, both sides were still wondering where this relationship was heading.  In that world, it’s best that Extra! say goodbye.

 

I can’t tell you how many times people have thanked us, and ask me why we do this.  It’s well known that none of us live near Carbondale, none of us get paid, and we all have busy lives in the real world.  I have a simple answer to that question.  It’s because in my adult life, other than children being born and loved ones passing away (and Steve Bartman) I can only recall crying three times.

 

1983

2002

2007

 

To all of you who have read the stories, and either left comments publicly or privately, I can’t thank you enough. Please drop by our football tailgate and say hello, or look for the nervous guy walking around the Arena.

 

Extra! may be gone, but the Salukis are forever.

 

Au revoir, and GO DAWGS!