MARSHALL – They say sports brings people together. For those who might disagree, I would tell them to look no further than the city of Marshall. Local team pride is a common thread that binds this community together. As a sports reporter, entering a sports hot-bed like this is one of the many reasons why I entered this field in the first place. Before I go any further, let me formally introduce myself.

My name is Jake Przytarski and I am the newest full-time hire for the sports department at the Marshall Independent. I am originally from Apple Valley and have lived there for most of my life. I attended college at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. At UMD, I got my first taste of what life was like as a sports reporter for UMD’s campus newspaper, the Statesman. For the Statesman, I had the privilege of covering the Bulldog volleyball team in 2014, in what turned out to be a historic run for the Bulldogs that culminated in an undefeated regular season in the NSIC conference. The season ended in heart-breaking fashion, however, as they lost in the NCAA tournament to a team that the Marshall community may have some familiarity with, the Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs.

Later that year, I went on to write feature stories about the men’s hockey team. As a self-proclaimed hockey guy, I had an absolute blast talking to players and learning more about the game I love from some of the best athletes Minnesota has to offer. While I had not planned on becoming a journalist upon entering UMD, these experiences made it abundantly clear that I had made the right decision.

Prior to settling on journalism, I knew that I wanted to work in sports in some capacity. For as long as I can remember, I have had what some would consider a sports obsession, namely for the Vikings and the other professional sports teams here in Minnesota (for better or worse). This passion was developed by my dad, who continues to be a source of inspiration to me. Even though he’s no longer around, he is one of the main reasons why I set out to work in sports and subsequently become a sports reporter. In a sense, I write about sports because it reminds me of him.

In all, I cannot put into words just how excited I am to be part of a community that is so passionate about sports. As I previously stated, sports brings people together, and I am honored to be one of your sources for everything sports here at the Marshall Independent.