Senior Farewells: Caleb Thomas

A lot can change in four years. When I stepped on campus in August 2022, I couldn’t have envisioned what my life and time at college would look like today.

As a nervous, socially anxious freshman, I never would’ve imagined I could be the slightly less nervous, socially anxious senior I am today. In all seriousness, my entire worldview and perspective on life have changed at college, and I’m so grateful to this period of my life for helping me figure out who I am.

My first sports story was a soccer exhibition match against Montevallo on a move-in day where it was well over 90 degrees – it was definitely a rude awakening weather-wise after moving from Edinburgh, Scotland. Since that afternoon, I’ve learned so much about journalism, sports and living on my own.

I want to thank everyone I’ve worked with and all the faculty and staff in the Hall School for equipping me through my time with the Trop. While I can’t name them all, Dr. Cooper, Dr. East and Dr. Taylor have all been amazing to me and my development as a writer and as a person.

I love the chaotic, hilarious atmosphere we have at the office, which has made all the long afternoons and workdays way more fun and bearable. Thank you to Dr. Cooper, Kathryn Clark, Nate Henderson, Emma Wasden and Neela Cole for all the jokes and funny stories, even if I get (rightfully) made fun of sometimes.

HUGE shoutout to all my current and former writers for the sports section – I truly couldn’t do any of this without y’all, and it’s been an honor to help you develop as writers as much as I can.

One of the few constants through my time at Troy was having great friends who supported me and continue to support me now. I want to give a special shout out to Rylee Bamberger, who has been one of my best friends throughout college and an amazing person to get to know, even as he has a full-time job now.

While the Trop has been a huge part of my time at Troy, working with Troy Athletics has been huge, especially as I seek a career in athletic communications. I want to give a massive thank you to Adam Prendergast, Robert Edison Stevens IV, Jack Byers, Noah Hallman and Chad Mays for all they’ve done to help me explore my passion for sports information and prepare me for the workforce.

It’s been amazing working with Troy Athletics and traveling with the softball program – I’m immensely grateful to head coach Eric Newell and the entire team for being so welcoming and easy to work with.

As I get a job and move to who knows where, it’s been fun to reflect on my time at college and how I’ve changed and developed as a person. I’m so grateful to Troy and all the people involved in my journey.

Now, this is the part where I would do a TrojanVision sig-out, but I’ve never made a package before, so I’ll just say peace out.