Although sports writing has its share of moments on both ends of the spectrum, some people help make the job a little easier.
One of those helping hands was former Eastern Kentucky University sports information director Karl Park.
Park, who will be inducted into the Ohio Valley Conference Hall of Fame next month, is worthy of the honor and deserves a permanent place among the league's top contributors.
As a young journalist finding my way in this fun and unique business, Park proved to be a valuable person when it came to covering athletics at Eastern.
Whenever there was a question, he was there. When it came to promoting the university's athletics department, Park was on top of his game.
He would lend an extra seat on many road trips and didn't mind having the extra company. It was during those times you develop a bond that extends beyond a professional relationship.
An avid sports fan, Park likes professional baseball, but his roots are firmly planted at Eastern. Even in retirement, he remains a permanent fixture at most athletic events. He also shows up in the press box and on press row periodically.
Park even filled in as an assistant and covered men's basketball last season during the Colonels' record-breaking campaign.
The part-time stint helped make up for years of mediocre seasons and helped Park go out as a winner on the hardwood. It proved to be an unexpected bonus to a long and distinguished career.
For those not familiar with the job of a sports information director, those are the folks who provide the statistics, press releases and other pertinent information pertaining to athletics at most major universities across the country to members of the print and electronic media.
If not for those people, the job of a sports writer would be even more difficult and challenging.
Almost every Division I program in the nation have a full-time director with assistants to help cover every sport on campus.
During his long career, Park was a one-man show for a majority of the time. In between, Park had a full-time assistant, but he served all alone.
That meant he was responsible for as many as 23 athletic teams at the university. During those times he was on each road trip in football and men's basketball, while student aides filled in the gaps.
Counting the hours and the time away from home, Park never complained and just did his job. He loves sports and the university equally.
It's obvious that Park made an impression on his peers and formed many friendships during his career.
I am glad to call Park a friend of mine.