The following article appeared in the Vermont Times the week of Feb. 15, 2006. It references multiple Saint Michael’s Athletic Department members, students and parents for their honest intentions and kindness to strangers.
Maybe Nice Guys Do Finish First
By Chris Fells
February, 2006
Those of us in the media are a much maligned group, and tend to at times be quite jaded. We are ignored, we never get our phone calls returned, and are generally treated like pond scum because we are simply trying to make our meager living. But, there are times where even those of us who have been voted as the most cynical by their peers can be turned around. This is one of those cases.
Back in November, I took on the role of Sports Director for ESPN 1070 in Burlington. Since I was more or less starting this from the ground up, I had to make the usual contacts, obtain press passes, and all of the fun things associated with starting a new network. Some were kind, some blew me off, and then came along Saint Michael's College in Colchester. I am convinced that when the word "nice" was created, these are the people Websters had in mind. The thing is, it isn't just me who says these things, anyone and everyone who has dealt with the college says the same thing. Things like "I am treated like family" have come up more than once, twice, or a hundred times.
From the first day I contacted Seth Cole, the Sports Information Director at the college, to inquire about doing a couple of promotions, and covering the team, I haven't been treated like a member of the media, just a friend they hadn't met yet. Phone calls have been returned, smiles exchanged, families asked about, and we have had some great laughs. When I needed a second press pass so if I was actually taking a day off, someone else could cover for me, Seth had mine to me in two days, a school which shall remain nameless never bothered to even call. When Seth needed a PA guy because the primary guy had a scheduling conflict, I filled in. I believe I was thanked by four different people five different times, given dinner, and treated like a king. I did the same for a hockey game and the same thing happened. "Here Chris, we have ziti, and salad here, and it all hot. Hey, there might be some leftovers, do you want to take some home?" Some things in life one just does not expect, like pure kindness.
I could go on and on with how the school has treated me, but this is what does it and has made a jaded media guy a fan of the school. Father Brian noticed me hobbling on crutches one day. He finds out who I am, and then asks me about my bum wheel every time he sees me. No longer do I show my press pass when covering games, instead I get a "Hello Chris, how are things going?" I delivered a CD of an interview with women's basketball coach Jen Niebling to Carla Smalling, the mother of injured center Chandler Smalling the other day. For a solid half hour, she told me about how wonderful the school has been to her two daughters. She spoke of the support given to those who have lost parents, or are having trouble academically. (Not many have academic troubles, the women's basketball team has a grade point average of 3.6. Some teams can't collectively pull that off.) She spoke of how tight knit the team is, how they all hang out together, and would stand in front of runaway freight trains for each other. Now that is a family. Oh yeah, do I need to mention how the players on both the men's and women's teams will sign autographs for kids until their hands bleed? How about when done with an interview, the players always say, "Thank you for your time." Are people really this nice?
Yes, I have become a fan, I simply can't help it. I catch myself whispering for Brigid to get back on defense, and James to hit another three from downtown Burlington. I am supposed to be impartial, which I am. I point out the losing streaks, and still ask the questions that need to be asked of the coaches and players. With a group of kids this nice, this smart, and this devoted to being a success in the classroom, one can't help but want them to win on the court, and in life. Thanks guys and gals for being some of the nicest people on the face of the planet, and other schools should take lessons from you as to how to treat people.
Chris Fells
News Director--WVAA 1390, WUSX 93.7, WLFE 102.3.
Sports Director--ESPN 1070 and ESPN 1490
Phone: 802.863.1010
