Mayer: Goodbye Indiana

Life is a funny thing. There are moments that lead to choices that lead to directions and paths which would have been completely altered if a different decision was made. Actually, it's not even necessarily a choice. It could just be a coincidence that can open a path or change our life. Whenever I come to a stepping stone or major change I like to reflect. I've been thinking of all the moments, coincidences, and decisions that led me to this path; working at WTWO and now moving on to become the sports director at NewsWest9 in Midland, Texas.

It just so happened that my first day of college at Indiana University I started talking to a kid from the Chicago suburbs named AJ Schub (who would later work at WTWO before moving on to sports marketing). He was just a couple dorm rooms down and was also interested in sports broadcasting.

It just so happened he was friends with Courtney Cronin (who would intern with me at Fox 59 and work in video production at the NCAA before moving on to her video journalist position with the Clarion Ledger) who knew someone at Hoosier Sports Nite. Hoosier Sports Nite is a completely student run sports show covering all IU athletics. She invited AJ to come to a private meeting which preempted the public call out meeting and I tagged along. Just like that, during my first week in college, I started at Hoosier Sports Nite airing on the Indiana University Student Television Network. I made friends for life in AJ and Courtney along with Casey Richards (who is currently a broadcaster and SID for Illinois State, making our web of connections even more interesting).

It just so happened that Wes Woodward accepted me as an intern with Fox59 Sports (at the time Indysportsnation.com). Wes was extremely well connected in Indiana and would later work as a reporter for WTWO.

It just so happened that Jeremiah Johnson worked for Fox59 Sports and would take me under his wing and show me everything he could about the industry. JJ was in the sports department at WTWO before he moved to Fox.

It just so happened that I was hired as a freelancer for Fox59 Sports after graduation and was introduced to Grant Pugh and Eric Peat (both working in sports at WTWO) at the high school baseball state finals at Victory Field. Eric would be leaving with Grant replacing him and there would be an opening in sports at NBC 2. It just so happened I had worked and developed relationships with extremely well respected people who had connections with WTWO. It was not long after that I was hired.

So many dots to connect. So many possible paths. It's mind boggling to see how it all came together and consider how one different decision or one random occurrence could have sent me in a completely different direction.

I would love to have a conversation with my sixteen year old self. If I told him I would spend five years living in Indiana experiencing most every part of the state the young Lucas would not believe it. He probably would not have a whole lot of interest in the experience. I'd tell him to cut his hair and buy a pair of jeans...bickering would ensue.

My time in Indiana has been incredible. Not just going to college in Bloomington because when living in a college town you are often insulated. While working for Fox59 and WTWO I have truly been able to understand this state and the great people who live here. I can say without a doubt that the Hoosier values have rubbed off on me and made me a better person.

There are few places in this country that the positive stereotypes are right on. People in Indiana are actually that friendly and good natured. There's always a stranger willing to help or simply smile and say hello. The connections I have made and moments I have experienced since arriving in the Wabash Valley will stay with me forever: The pure joy of the Linton community when the basketball team made it to the state finals; the devastation and simultaneous pride of Vincennes Rivet coming so close to winning a baseball state title; getting to know and tell the story of Rivet super fan Will Sievers; the magical moments for the Indiana State men's basketball team in the first half of the season; the non stop determination of the Indiana State women's basketball team; the insanity of Friday night basketball at Loogootee and Barr-Reeve, the fierce rivalry between Terre Haute South and Terre Haute North, and the amazing turnout for the Pizza Hut Wabash Valley Classic.

I could go on forever and add to the list with some unforgettable moments around the Hoosier state and beyond covering sports for Fox and at Indiana University (that Kentucky game was kind of good) but enough lists.

I've been extremely lucky to work with the WTWO team. There are so many intelligent and motivated people on staff that do incredible work. I have learned so much working alongside Jason Pensky and Grant Pugh in the sports department. The encouragement and creative freedom given to me by Jason and Grant has allowed me to evolve as a sportscaster and journalist.

Indiana will always be a place I consider home. I'll remember it for shaping me for the better. The sense of community and togetherness consistently displayed throughout the towns and cities of this great state is very rare in today's world. I will surely treasure my time here forever. Who knows what the future holds or what paths lay ahead, but I'm excited to find out.