I said good-bye to a good friend on Friday. You should feel the same way.

Sports Director Andy Austin has left the building for the final time. Andy is moving on to take and administrative position with Cells-U-More and I am going to miss him.

In 1992, when I started my career at Channel Six News I was in sports. Mike Steeley was the Sports Director back in those days. He had everything in his head and was a master of the ad-lib. Mike left when I was a mere six-months in my career to take a job in Oklahoma City. He is still there with WWLS the Sports Animal and does their morning drive time. It's normally very funny if you get a chance to listen. 640-AM if you have a good radio. When Mike left Andy Austin came in to start what would be an 8-year career as Sports Director. I was his right hand and he was mine.

You become very close to whoever you work with in the Sports Office. It's small and you pretty much share everything. We became very good friends and it showed on the air. Andy taught me a lot. He was my mentor and it was such an easy transition for me when I moved into his spot at Sports Director because of him. It was my show but Andy's influence was there.

I think Andy will always be an influence in my broadcasting career. Besides his professionalism he is a wonderful person. Slow to raise his voice and always a rock to lean on when needed. I will miss him and I hope you will also.

Jermaine Ferrell will be taking Andy's position as Sports Director and will bring a whole new influence, but I'd bet there will still be some Andy in the way things are done because who taught Jermaine how to do sports? ANDY!!!