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FROM THE PRESS BOX: VALLEY SPORTS REPORTS MARKS 11TH ANNIVERSARY OF LAUNCH (2020-08-10)

Today marks the 11th birthday of Valley Sports Report.

I must say the first 10 1/2 years were a blast. The last five months? ... well, let's just say it's been a challenge.

I must admit Valley Sports Report has received tremendous support throughout the Covid-19 pandemic from the majority of our advertisers, as well as our loyal readers. And, I can honestly say, I'm not the least bit surprised, considering how loyal the people in the Valley are if you offer a good product.

Today also marks the start of the 12th year of high school and youth sports here in the Valley.

That raises the question: "When will sports return?"

Nearly all youth sports this fall have already been canceled, and the start date for high school sports has been pushed back to Aug. 24 in Pa., and Sept. 21 in New York.

Of course, those dates are purely conjecture at this point. The buzz is that the NCAA will cancel all fall sports by the end of the week (and the Big 10 started that ball rolling by canceling the 2020 football season this morning).

If the NCAA cancels, I would be shocked if the fall sports seasons in New York and Pa. are played.

Boy do I hope I'm wrong on this one, but my guess is we won't see any high school athletics until Jan. 1 at the earliest.

Keep your fingers crossed that I'm wrong.

"”"”"”"”"”"”

I'll turn my attention back to the original intent of this column - marking the 11th anniversary of the launch of Valley Sports Report.

I've been blessed to have covered four school districts whose teams and individual athletes have won countless league and district / section titles. The number of Division I athletes the four "little Valley schools" have produced in recent years is truly mind-blowing.

The majority of the Valley teams have been led by coaches who have kept the numbers high in their programs, and have maintained a winning tradition.

All this has made my job a bit easier, and resulted in rabid fan bases in the four Valley school districts, which has led to consistent, and constantly-increasing viewership numbers for the site.

For me, this site is mainly about the student-athletes and the fans, the majority of whom view the site multiple times per day, so I offer a huge "thank you" to both.

I must also give a shout-out to my advertising partners, whose combined support has allowed Valley Sports Report to continue its growth.

A big thanks goes out to Jim Lister (and Kevin Horn before him) at Williams Auto Group, Greg Joseph at Valley Bowling Center, and the Baird boys (Paul, John and Peter) at John H. Murray & Sons for their support of VSR since Day 1.

I'd also like to thank our other major advertisers: Gannon Associates Insurance, First Citizens Community Bank, Coaches Pizza, Sam's Bar & Grill, Sutryk & Son, Inc, Croft Lumber, Owen Insurance, Hemp Geek of Waverly, Dandy Mini-Marts, Visions Federal Credit Union, Austin's Excavating & Paving, Tioga State Bank, Camco Manufacturing, CVS, Chandler's Antique & Artisan Market, Beeman's Restaurant & Lounge, PS Bank, B's Tavern, All-State Insurance Agent Aaron Lounsbury, and Ted Clark's Busy Market.

Much thanks also to Guthrie Federal Credit Union, Kinsley Chiropractic, Tomasso's Restaurant & Golf Course, Ad Graphics Printing, Big Foote's Sporting Goods, Waverly Liquor & Wine, At Your Door Mobile Dog Grooming, Valley Eye Care Associates, The Club at Shepard Hills, Leprino Foods, Grand Victorian Inn, Country Kennels, Tioga County Boys & Girls Club, Comfort Inn & Suites, Naglee Moving & Storage, and WJ Graphics & Sporting Goods.

One thing I can't stress enough is the importance of doing business locally. We are very fortunate to have the options we have in the Valley, and spending your money in the Valley is the best way to ensure we maintain our quality of life.

I also need to thank a small group of photographers whose work with the camera bring more quality photos to the pages of Valley Sports Report than I could have ever managed by myself. My thanks goes out to Chela Bubniak, Shannon McCarty, David Alliger, Matt Patton, Bella Romano, Cristina Rossi, Theresa Pipher, Christina Kreykenbohm, Danielle Hickey, Glenn Jarvis, and Lori Vascoe.

Most importantly, however, I need to thank my family.

First and foremost, I have to thank my parents Liz and Jim Birney. My father passed away three years ago, and not a day goes by that I don't think about him and the life lessons I learned through his actions, while my mother's zest for life continues to be a source of inspiration.

Two years ago, we launched Tioga County Sports Report, and later this fall (hopefully) Northern Tier Sports Report will launch, covering the remaining five schools in Bradford County.

The growth of VSR, and the launch of two more sites would not have been possible without my wife Nicole. She is not only my muse, my harshest critic, and biggest fan, but she is my sounding board, and my voice of reason. She pushes me to be better in every facet of life, and does not allow my hectic schedule to effect our life together.

And then there are the kids. Andrew and his wife Jessica, whose daughter Natalie celebrates her fourth birthday later this week, and son Nathan will be 2 in December ... Alex and his wife Rebecca, who recently purchased their first home ... Emily, now a junior at SUNY Potsdam ... James, a senior at the University of San Francisco ... Cassie, a senior with her sights set on attending St. Bonaventure ... and Patrick, a sophomore. They are the reason I do what I do, and they all have great things ahead of them.

Despite the uncertainty of the times, I look forward to the 12th year of VSR, and a return to normalcy. I continue to be amazed by the support this site has received, and I look forward to to the future, and possibly the launch of another site or two.

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