It’s hard to believe that I’ve spent nine years in Alvin, Texas, longer than I ever lived in Mesquite, the place where I grew up. Time has flown by, but I still vividly remember the series of events that led me to work for the Alvin Sun and Advertiser on July 23, 1990.
The Call That Changed Everything
It all began on Tuesday, July 17, 1990, when the sports editor at the Garland News—where I had already interviewed—called me with an exciting lead. He told me about an opening for a sports editor position at the Alvin Sun and Advertiser.
Without hesitation, I called the paper and spoke with publisher Bob Gilmore, and by Wednesday morning, I was on the road to Alvin, 250 miles away.
Once I arrived at the newspaper office at 201 E. House Street, I met with both Mr. Gilmore and managing editor Gerald Hamilton. They were kind enough to show me around Alvin, including a drive past the iconic Alvin Memorial Stadium and Nolan Ryan Field.
When we stopped at the stadium, Mr. Gilmore casually said, “This is where you will be covering Alvin High School sports.” It took a moment for the words to sink in, but I soon realized—he was offering me the job.
The Big Decision
The only thing left to decide was whether I would accept the offer. I asked Mr. Gilmore if I could take some time to think it over, and he gave me until Friday to make my decision. By the afternoon, I was back on the road, heading home to Mesquite.
At first, I considered turning the offer down. Four months earlier, I had been laid off from the Cleburne Times-Review, and I had hoped to find a job closer to home.
But I knew deep down that I needed the job in Alvin. It wasn’t about distance anymore—it was about growth and opportunity. My parents, who always had my back, pointed that out to me.
So, on Friday, I called Mr. Gilmore to accept the position. But as soon as I did, the stress and emotional toll of the decision hit me. I felt physically and emotionally sick over the idea of being so far from home.
Still, after a rough Saturday, my parents helped me pack and drove with me to Alvin on Sunday. My dad drove our family motor home, which would be my home for the first few months, while my mom followed in my car.
A Difficult Goodbye
We arrived in Alvin just before dark, found a spot in the mobile home park, and set up the motor home. The next morning, I started my new job at the Alvin Sun and Advertiser, where I was greeted by classified manager Sue Whitley. My parents stayed in town for two more days before heading back to Dallas.
As they left the park, my mom later told me that my dad had to pull over a few miles down the road. They needed to collect themselves after the emotional weight of sending me off on my own for the first time.
It was a tough time for all of us. I didn’t want to be in Alvin, no matter how special Nolan Ryan’s hometown was. My parents were worried, and I was struggling with homesickness.
There were countless times I wanted to get in my car and drive straight back to Dallas. But as quickly as that feeling came, another feeling followed, reminding me that I could make it through this. I had to stick it out.
Finding Strength and Resolve
It wasn’t long before I realized that God had stepped in to help me through this challenging time. Just as He had done at crucial turning points in my life, He provided me with the resolve to continue and see the situation through.
I needed this test—I needed to prove to myself that I could make it on my own. My parents understood that, too, which is why they made the difficult trip to help me get settled in.
35 Years Later
Now, 35 years later, looking back at the blessings I’ve received—relationships with coworkers, coaches, student athletes, parents, new friends, and most of all, finding my wife—I can confidently say that this journey was worth every mile.
That scary trip to Alvin, though difficult at the time, set me on a path that has brought me more fulfillment and joy than I could have imagined.
