Gone too soon
February 22nd, 2008, 12:37 am · Post a Comment · posted by sschramm
Somewhere between a game-sealing fourth quarter touchdown and the obligatory post-game handshakes, things at last season’s Western Alamance win at Northeast Guilford went sideways.
On this night, the usually banal moments after the final seconds ticked off turned into its most intense point as feelings were hurt, normally cool-headed coaches began shouting at one another and shoves were exchanged. Quick thinking by a handful to team officials and security officers averted what looked as if it would turn into a riot.
I was in the middle of it, slack-jawed and searching for words. Jeff Carlton, who was covering the game for the Greensboro News & Record was there to. After witnessing the scene, he summed it up with his trademark dry humor.
“Well … that was interesting,” he quipped.
Jeff died early Thursday after a long battle with brain cancer. He was 36.
For the last few years, he worked alongside me, manning the preps beat for our closest competitor. He was a good reporter and a welcome sight whenever we ended up at the same assignment.
Anyone who has covered high school sports knows that while rewarding, the beat can present a unique set of challenges. That shared experience creates a bond among people who do it. Jeff had two stints on the preps beat, meaning he had usually dealt with whatever situation any of us was facing at the time and had come through it, often with a good story.
Covering preps can be great fun but it can also be a minefield. Jeff never seemed fazed by any of it. I guess cancer has a funny way of not letting you lose sleep over the little things.
There are many people at this paper and in the sports journalism field who knew Jeff a lot better than I did. But I do know that he will be missed by everyone.
