Wednesday, August 20, 2008

New reporter hopes to bring the game's excitement to readers

Dearth of travels, team allegiances diversify writer

Jason W. Brooks News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jbrooks@news-bulletin.com

Like many New Mexicans, John Gale's sports allegiances are varied, not having a geographical theme. The teams he follows don't even correspond to where he's lived: the Chicago Bulls, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Cleveland Indians.

However, the recent Brigham Young University graduate does have a theme to the types of sporting events he enjoys watching. The newest member of the News-Bulletin staff brings with him a love for competition, athleticism and exciting contests. The three high schools he'll help cover stand to benefit from his enthusiasm from covering college sports and his lifelong admiration for those who play the games well.

Gale is stepping into the sports reporter role held by Duane Barbati, who is now covering the Los Lunas Schools and Village of Los Lunas beats.

Born in Salt Lake City, the son of Jim and Claudia Gale moved around to places like Denver, Houston and Lincoln, Neb., following the TV career of his father, Jim. The family ended up in Rio Communities when Jim took a job at KNME in Albuquerque, where he's the director of engineering. Gale attended Belen High, graduating in 2001, getting in one season of track and field during his prep days.

"I hope to bring to readers stories that provide the excitement of the actual game," said Gale, the oldest of six children. "People like stories that are accurate, and interesting to read."

One of Gale's earliest sports memories certainly wasn't one that would make him a fan of the home team: as a Denver resident, watching the San Francisco 49ers humiliate the Denver Broncos in 1990. But he watched the Chicago Bulls' rise as an NBA dynasty with Michael Jordan, and that became one of the first teams he followed.

"I've always loved writing, and I love sports, too," said Gale. "I was always good at writing. I thought about wanting to become a software engineer, but I decided writing for a living is for me."

Gale lived in New Mexico long enough to make him a UNM fan, especially of men's basketball. Attending a Mountain West Conference school, BYU, that faces UNM at least once a year in each sport allowed him to keep tabs on the Lobos, who are what he calls his favorite college team.

"I always liked watching Danny Granger," said Gale, who worked on BYU's acclaimed student newspaper. "And I like watching ESPN's Web Gems. You never know what you'll see."

Gale, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, did his two-year mission work during college, and performed several baptisms during that time. He also completed internships at the Deseret News in Salt Lake City and at the New York Daily News.

Gale will help cover teams with strong traditions — like the tradition his beloved Steelers have. He also can relate to fans whose teams hope to finally break through — after all, no Valencia County team has struggled like the Cleveland Indians' 60 years since a World Series triumph.

"I think they've caused me more pain than any of my other teams," said Gale, smiling.

He enjoys working out and other forms of exercise, and is looking forward to covering the 15 fall varsity programs in the area, and the rest of the county's sports landscape.

"I'm looking forward to some exciting games," he said. "And some well-played games."

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