A few weeks ago, I was asked if I liked change. It was a question I wasn’t fully prepared to answer in the moment.

I was confident I had all the answers about how sports editor here at the News and Tribune was the right fit for me, but that was the question for which I didn’t have the strong answer I would have liked.

“Well actually,” as my 5-year-old daughter says, it stopped me in my tracks like the Looney Tunes’ Road Runner skidding to a halt. (YouTube some clips if your parents failed to provide a proper course in classic cartoons.)

My answer to News and Tribune publisher Bill Hanson was along the lines of “Yes, of course.” But it provoked some introspection during my three-hour drive back to Terre Haute.

Was that true? Was I actually averse to change?

I may not have completely drawn my conclusion until my first day on the job Wednesday, but I can now say the answer is assuredly yes.

Change is exciting. Change is invigorating. Change is challenging.

Is it scary? Sure, maybe a little bit. I’ve spent 15 years covering sports in the city where I first got into journalism as an undergrad at Indiana State University. Opportunities to assist one of my mentors in covering the Sycamores in an NCAA Tournament led by hometown point guard Jake Odum was a highlight. Stepping in to cover the Indiana Hoosiers against North Carolina in Philadelphia in the NCAA Tournament was another.

But the heartbeat of any size newspaper sports section is the high school beat, and I’m prepared to dive in and get started in what is an intriguing winter sports season here in Southern Indiana. While Romeo Langford is now in Bloomington, Division I-caliber players remain on the hardwood.

The athletes and coaches of Clark and Floyd counties obviously provide some high-caliber competition. It’s exciting to see front pages filled with stories about state champions in recent years. It’s exciting to see one of your own excelling on the national stage at IU leading a large list of other Division I athletes. I look forward to being a part of telling the Langford story, but there are many others pursuing excellence at the collegiate level that I can’t wait to learn more about as well.

In my 15 years, I’ve also developed a huge interest in covering community athletes who are doing impressive things in a wide range of competition. I’ve participated in things like triathlons, CrossFit, as well as managed teams in adult baseball leagues, and have an appreciation for the passion involved. If you’re aware of someone with a unique story in this type of activity, do not hesitate to shoot me an email.

I look forward to telling the many success stories with words as well as a strong multimedia presence. And athletes, I also look forward to directing some questions to you that might have your brain hit the brakes for a second and make you think about what makes you tick.

One more note on the change front. I won’t be reinventing the wheel, but this sports section will continue to grow and evolve. I’m looking forward to gaining speed. Beep, beep.