Stevens: Are we having fun yet?

Kata Stevens joined The Post and Courier, succeeding Jeff Hartsell as sports editor, in September.

Were constantly gifted by sports with fresh seasons and fresh games and new names.

Its a wonderful bundle consisting of a little familiarity and a few surprises.

Perfection is a balance of the two.

Just think about what happened in autumn.

We saw an improbable College Football Playoff appearance by Clemson thats being followed up by even more unlikely offseason choices (Dabo Swinney dabbling in the transfer portal !).

We witnessed South Carolina enjoy one of its best seasons ever and the energy continues well after the Gamecocks last kicked off.

(See: Dawn Staley's team being indisputably No.

1 ).

The season also presented me with a new job with new responsibilities in fresh surroundings.

So ...

talk about surprises and the unexpected, on every level.

There was a baptism by fire, sure.

But after nearly six months, Im finally feeling comfortable in this new gig.

Now, I just want to do it as best I can.

My parents were journalists.

They warned me about this profession, and I ignored them.

The past 11 years as a professional New Yorker is worth its own story, though for another time.

Because the time came last year to ditch cement and speed for palmetto trees and a grown-up sleep schedule.

And, well ...

home.

I metamorphosized in Manhattan, but I grew up on Hilton Head.

One place offered continued adventure and chaos, while the other all of that plus everything to fill the gaps.

They fought it out with fear in a striped shirt refereeing.

Home won.

And what a few months its been.

Ive already learned so much as this papers sports editor; things that despite my adolescent tenure in South Carolina I never cognized.

Fun fact: Talking college football is a great friendship pickup line.

Scary fact: South Carolinians see street signs as suggestions.

Comforting fact: Southern manners are timeless.

Those nuggets didn't take long to embed in my DNA, which has made this transition easier.

Because while goodbyes are hard, this is the luckiest hello Ive ever said.

Make no mistake theres pressure when it comes to filling shoes.

Thats especially true when theyve fit so comfortably around the likes of Jeff Hartsell and Malcolm DeWitt.

Slipping them on is an epic task.

After all, theyre a big reason The Post and Courier has been the decisive publication of South Carolina for a couple of a hundred years.

Scores of journalists before me built this legacy publication on authoritative journalism, intimate storytelling and unassailable reliability.

Ive been tasked with continuing all of that while also working to usher in a new multimedia era.

Id be remiss if I didnt acknowledge the added pressure of being the first woman to hold this role at this paper.

Im fortunate that my experiences in this industry have only proved that my gender is a strength.

Being a woman in sports is super cool; I'd love to elaborate on the plethora of reasons why another day (I put a lot of weight on a clean, lightly used press box ladies room).

When I started out, there were a few of us.

Now, Im far from a minority.

And I relish the opportunity to share a perspective that might be a little new to our audience and hopefully continue paving a road that the ladies before me have been setting the foundation of for the last 40 years.

Im blessed to do this job in a state that nurtured the likes of Shoeless Joe Jackson, Larry Nance, Beth Daniel and scores of others.

The names on that ever-growing list of sports legends are intimidating Im humbled to help tell their stories and protect their legacies.

I also think about my father.

One of his best pieces of advice when I finally decided to settle into the footprints of his lifes work as a sports journalist had to do with interviewing.

When you have no other questions, or are simply at a loss, just ask, Are you having fun yet? Yeah, Dad.

Im having a whole lot of fun.

Im living a dream job, in a fantastical sports state and working alongside brilliance every day.

What more could a gal ask for? And what more can you ask for? Please reach out and lets have a conversation.

I want to know whats on your mind and enjoy this incredible journey together.

Because, as the seasons change, I dont want to miss a thing.

Are you having fun yet? Kata Stevens can be found on X @katastevens , @katastevens.bsky.social or by email at [email protected] ..

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