By GEORGE MAHL

It is great to be back in south Louisiana.

After spending eight months working at a television station in Grand Junction, Colorado, I am back where the weather is warm and the up-coming high school sports’ seasons are about to turn red hot.

Right now, I feel like I am living in a fantasy world. During my high school years at Rummel in Metairie and college years at Nicholls State in Thibodaux, I always wanted to be a sports reporter and meet interesting people.

L’Observateur has given me the opportunity to do both. As a former correspondent for the Daily Comet in Thibodaux, I can remember watching Roydell Williams flying down the field for East St. John High School during a game against Thibodaux. I also remember feeling the pain of a running back after he suffered a season-ending injury.

Hopefully, we will see more of the former and not the latter in the up-coming seasons. One thing I have noticed about high school sports is the intensity and effort each player and coach puts into a game. It is second to none.

If there was one thing I learned from my college journalism classes, it is to always remain fair and balanced. That is my personal philosophy, it is my professional philosophy. I have come to realize it is not only my duty to be fair and balanced, but also to be unbiased.

I am basically a one-man band in the sports department. Please bear with me as I am still getting use to the new surroundings. I am very much looking forward to meeting a new set of coaches, players, parents and administrators. If you spot me at a game, do not hesitate to come up and socialize for a while. I am very people-oriented and I enjoy meeting new people.

If there is a player or coach or anybody that you think would make a good story please let me know.

For the most part, my columns will consist of a recap of the previous week’s activities and a look ahead to up-coming events.

Although sometimes I may write a column about a national sports item, such as the possible baseball strike, steroids in pro sports, how the Saints are doing, as well Tulane and LSU.

Eight high schools, three parishes, and countless sports make for exciting seasons for me to cover. I will try to do my best when it comes speaking with coaches, players and booster club members. Any information is welcomed and encouraged at all times.

Like my predecessor, Robert Lee, I plan to work hard and enjoy the time I spend with River Parishes’ residents.

GEORGE MAHL may be reached at (985) 652-9545 or lobnews@bellsouth.net.