Sometimes, often times, it’s hard to let go of things, even though you know that you should.
When I started Ohio Valley Athletics in 2008, I never dreamed that we would be able to participate and accomplish some of the things that we have. Along the way, are many great memories.
We earned credentials with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers. We provided live sideline coverage for WVU in Miami and New York for the Pinstripe and Orange Bowl. We covered thousands of local games, giving out awards, trophies, and even provided recruiting connections to some local colleges. Having said all of that, my favorite memory was sitting down with the late Paul “Bud” Billiard for this feature article.
When I moved to South Carolina in 2014, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to provide OV Athletics with the support, knowledge, and time that it needed to remain the #1 site for local sports talk and news. It’s hard to let things go, that’s why I held on to it for another 8 years before finding the right ownership group to take it over.
When I met Jeffery Stephens and Thomas Salkovick, I knew that it was time. I knew that Ohio Valley Athletics would be in better hands. Both local teachers, administrators, and coaches, Jeff and Tom have over 60 seasons of combined experience with our youth in the Ohio Valley. With the original vision of Ohio Valley Athletics intact, they are on a mission to provide great coverage and press for both boys and girls, at every school across the Ohio Valley.
Thomas put it best by saying, “When I think about sports in the Ohio Valley, I think about the people. We’re hard working people that have to earn everything we get. That’s why I love sports, you are not handed anything, you have to earn it, and I look forward to covering all of those unique stories of our hard working kids around the Ohio Valley”.
“We still have communities in the Ohio Valley”
-Jeff Stephens
Jeff commented on his love for the Ohio Valley by saying, “We still have communities in the Ohio Valley. We have schools where kids are going to the same school that their parents went to, which is the same school that their grandparents attended.” Jeff continued, “When you go to a local sporting event, you see members of the community coming out to support their friends, neighbors, and local school… it doesn’t feel the same in big populated areas, you just get the feeling of ‘home’ when you attend a sporting event in the Ohio Valley.”
The transition of the site and company will take place over the next two weeks, with Jeff and Thomas taking full ownership and control by mid September. It has been my pleasure to start Ohio Valley Athletics, and I look forward to seeing them turn it into something even greater for our kids and communities.
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