You will have to excuse me, I've never introduced myself - over newspaper before.
I would like to introduce myself to our Minot Daily News readers so they can know just a little bit more about me, and what is behind the writers that put together the stories in this paper each day. This comes to you a little late, since I have been working at the Daily since May 14th.
First off I would like to say, I feel very privileged and blessed to have a great job like this one. I know that many in this country would give up a lot to have a job like this. When you hear of all the horrors that are happening nationwide it makes you glad that you are in North Dakota.
I was born and raised in Minot, I graduated from Minot High in 2006. I am finishing up my last semester at Minot State University this fall. I will be getting a degree in public relations. I've enjoyed my stay at MSU and as a Minoter, I am excited to see the school's move to NCAA Division II and the greater level of competition it will bring.
Like many of my peers when you are young you don't see what Minot has to offer. I wanted to get away as soon as possible. I know that I will be here for at least a little while longer and to tell the truth it really isn't that bad. Minot is growing and it's fun to see new buildings being built and the expansion that the energy industry is bringing to this pocket of the state.
I am engaged to a beautiful young lady named Kelsey who hails from Hazen. She will be finishing up her degree at MSU over the next two years. We will be getting married at the end of the summer. After college we currently don't have any plans - but we'll figure things out when we get there.
Oh, and for sports, I enjoy sports to the fullest.
I am competitive from everything to a backyard football game to Monopoly. I like to follow the traditional "ball-and-stick" sports: football, baseball, hockey, basketball. Overall, I just enjoy watching skillful athletes compete.
When it comes to major league allegiances I am the odd ball out. Even though I am from N.D., I am a Milwaukee Brewers fan when it comes to baseball. I don't dislike the Twins, and you can't - not like them when they are having a year like this. Last year I was able to make it to a Twins-Brewers game in Minneapolis during interleague play. The Twins swept the Crew, but I was just glad to be in good company.
I like the story of the underdog - I also like to joke around... that is a good lead into why I am a Browns fan.
My step-brother and I naturally like to watch football. We started telling everyone that our favorite team was the Cleveland Browns. If you don't think that is funny - the Browns have drafted horribly for many years, made poor decisions and just have not produced on the field.
The joke stuck and I still claim to be a Browns fan. You cannot argue with fans that will dress up like - Dawgs - and stick with a team through thick an thin. So that sounds like my kind of people.
As for the Browns there may be hope on the horizon. New General Manager Mike Holmgren may have the expertise and the vision to lead the Browns to something other than last in the AFC North, but Colt McCoy will have to be more than the next Brady Quinn in order for the Browns to be taken seriously. They will also have to develop somewhat of a support staff around what they have, but that is a story for a different day.
I am excited to be doing the work that I love everyday - covering sports and telling stories.
(Kevin Mehrer is a sportswriter for the Minot Daily News. He can be reached via email at kmehrer@minotdai
lynews.com)