Well this came a lot sooner than expected, eh? I didn’t think I’d get into house when I did, and I guess it is sort of fitting that I’m leaving a lot sooner than I thought too. But this ain’t about me. This is for y’all.

Hillman: This is a lot harder than I thought it would be. It’s hard to put our friendship into just a little paragraph. But I opened up to you a lot this semester, a lot more than I normally do, and you listened man. You cared. And that meant a lot. So thanks bro, even though you give me way more sh*t than I deserve.

Crane: It always feels like I’m chasing you, but that’s the way I want it to be. Everything you do, I want to do, and I hope that I’ve been able to push you and help you the same way you’ve done for me. I never fully understood how you grind so much, but what I know is that you’re gonna do big things even if you might not believe it just yet. I just hope I can keep the inspirational quotes coming for you. Can’t wait to hear more of your country music on our roadtrips next semester, bud.

Danny: As much as I love Dabbundo, you were definitely the funniest in sports, Emerman. Never gonna forget our Buffalo trip and the car ride with Crane’s mom to the stadium. You told me once that you don’t think you work that hard. But the old saying, “The devil works hard, but Emerman works harder” holds true, bud. I know you’re gonna find the recipe to cook up a great next semester as the SE!

Dabbundo: I don’t think London (or Hillman) is ready for how shocking you’re gonna be next semester. But I’m gonna miss having you and that constant, sometimes to a fault, smile around. As much of a cliché as it is, it always made me smile too. Also, thanks for introducing me to the wide world of Wegmans and organizing my bets so you can always see them.

KJ: Dave. You took me through my first coverage but the only thing I really remember from it is Dave. We both liked him, and I thought you were a pretty cool guy. I never thought back then that you’d be my sports editor one day – I just couldn’t think that far ahead. But it seems like time went so quickly and there you were, telling me you had hired me. I’m sure I’ve frustrated the hell out of you this semester. And honestly, you did to me sometimes too. But at the end of the day, you were the guy I looked up to when I first came into The DO. And you still are.

Roshan: It’s on to you now, bud. No, not the big chair (although who knows, you might get that someday too), but you’re the Indian in sports. And luckily, there’s two of y’all! Yeah it’s unlikely any of us will get a water fountain named after us but tell you what: You keep your self-confidence high, and I’ll keep mine high too.

Haley: Like Dabbundo, it always seemed like you had a smile on your face and it made being in-house this past semester so much better. No matter what my question was, no matter how stupid or serious, you always gave me an answer. So I forgive you for not getting me milk and sugar. Just really bummed about it.

Nat: Digital buddy! Couldn’t go through this duck without you in it. You made digital a lot more fun and laughed at my terrible jokes so thank you. Never gonna play Flappy Crow without thinking of you. And I promise you, I will get your pronouns right one day!

Kev: I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite as passionate about something as you are about T-Mobile. I knew I would always learn something when I went down to digital if you were there, and I also knew I was guaranteed a laugh. You did so much work, and I knew you must have been so stressed sometimes, but you were always there to talk. To answer any question I had. To take time out of your day to do that extra task for me or the sports section. So thank you for being there.

Amy: Yes, I know some of my mini-MAC’s were terrible. But I hope that you at least got a laugh from a few of them. You took my wacky ideas and made them work. And even when management wasn’t always sold on the ideas, you fought for me, which I really appreciate.

Rest of digital: There’s a reason I was down there so much this semester. As much as I love sports, digital is where the fun’s at. And yes Ryley, you’re a part of that too. Least I could do after how much I annoyed you this semester. Keep spilling tea, y’all.

Gabe: Don’t tell Hillman, but I came when he invited me to y’all’s parties for you, not him. You also empowered my sweaty hands, and I owe you forever for that.

Everyone else: There’s tons more people that got me to this point. Josh for doing my first read. Aishwarya for being honest with me about being Indian and in house. Nick for showing me this. My seventh grade teacher for driving me to school. Billman for teaching me how to properly salute. The list is endless. Without all those people, I would probably be working for Citrus right now. So thanks!

Ma and Baba: I don’t need to say much here because y’all already know exactly how much y’all helped me over the summer and through this semester and of course, throughout my entire life. Both of you always believed I could be whatever I wanted to be and supported it. And that’s meant everything.

Published on December 5, 2019 at 2:02 am

Contact Arabdho: armajumd@syr.edu | @aromajumder