As a sophomore assistant sports editor, I distinctly remember the first time I read “good-bye” columns from each of our five senior columnists. Back then I was the newbie, the one who thought she knew what it meant to be an editor, and the one who had no idea what was to come in the next two years. Sure, the columns were written well, but I didn’t know what it meant for those columnists to leave the Daily Illini behind.

Now, I know that exact feeling. And the job that I had hoped would give me some experience for the future has led me to some of the greatest people, places and possibilities I have ever known.

But the place that trumps all others is Assembly Hall. The spaceship-shaped building has brought heartache, happiness and humility. It’s where I first learned to write on deadline and where I watched Dee Brown, Deron Williams and Luther Head propel the Illini into the national limelight.

Whether it was the games I covered over the last year as one of the team’s beat writers or games that I sat on the floor as a member of the Orange Krush, each perspective offered great opportunities. I’ll always remember Brown’s speed and the charisma he brought to the game, the way Bruce Weber roams the sidelines and demands his team to perfect the motion offense, James Augustine and Brian Randle’s thunderous dunks, the “War-ren Car-ter” chant – even if he doesn’t like it – the intimidating nature of the Hall, sitting next to friend and then-Orange Krush chair Chris Owens when Illinois defeated No. 1 Wake Forest to capture the top spot in the national rankings – for 15 straight weeks – the heart Chester Frazier displayed in the face of adversity, walks through the tunnel before practice, watching journalism in action from Paul, Stu and Lindsey, Jamar Smith and Brian Carlwell swaying to “Hail to the Orange” at the Chief’s last performance – just weeks after a car crash that left the program stunned – Trent Meacham’s eight three-pointers against Florida A&M; and Rich McBride’s defensive intensity, sitting on press row with Courtney, Lucas and Ian, “Dee for Three,” Williams’ confident swagger, listening to opposing coaches always say what a tough place Assembly Hall is, struggling to find the right lede, Shaun Pruitt’s solid improvement, the postgame press conferences that always entertained, Carter’s larger-than-life personality, and how just before each game, and before each interview I’ve done, I knew that I was doing something that was ultimately special.

I’ve talked to All-Americans, NBA stars, a future Olympic hopeful, distinguished coaches, a basketball team that endured more injuries and setbacks than one could have imagined, gymnasts whose strength and quests for perfection amaze me to this day, along with cross country and track runners whose natural abilities blow me away.

And as I sat inside Weber’s office at the Ubben Basketball Practice Facility on Tuesday interviewing him for a story on Frazier, I knew that although I had made numerous sacrifices in the last four years, my time here has been well spent. I would like to give thanks to the Daily Illini, staffers old and new, my family, friends and roommates for their continuous support. And although all good things must come to an end, I can leave knowing I’ve seen more, heard more, grown more and learned more than I ever thought.