Passionate storyteller. Hard-working reporter. Journalist.
Jaylon Ferguson broke records and changed lives in his time at Louisiana Tech.
But after tragedy struck and took the life of the former Bulldog too soon, his family and friends knew they had to keep his legacy alive.
As the one year anniversary of his death approached, I spent months talking with Jaylon’s family, former coaches, his agent, and more close connections to try and tell the story of the man they called ‘Sack Daddy.’
“As long as I’m living and breathing, as long as my children have breath in their bodies, they’re going to carry his last name and I’m going to carry his legacy.”
“We’re not some sideshow. We’re hoping that we just are doing our thing and that gives other folks license to not just sit there like statues. The fan is short for fanatic — don’t expect rational, measured, controlled behavior.”
Mike DeCarlo and Boris Teske have quiet day jobs, but when it comes time for LA Tech basketball, they’re no bookworms.
It’s a story you have to read to truly understand.
“I think we had a big impact on the growth of women’s college basketball.”
“I don’t think we get mentioned enough with big teams these days, but we are the ones that won the first NCAA championship, the first one. We started it.”
‘We Started It’
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters, one the most impactful women’s basketball programs ever created.
The Lady Techsters first took the court on Jan. 7, 1975 — the first step in what would become a national brand and one of the best women’s college basketball programs of all time.
Twenty-seven NCAA Tournament appearances. Three national championships.
The story of women’s college basketball can’t be written without the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters.
‘That’s Brock Purdy’: How the greatest QB in Iowa State history came to be
Before he competed for Super Bowls and flirted with MVP discourse in the NFL, Brock Purdy took a chance on Iowa State - on a vision sold by Matt Campbell.
What happened next can only be described as the greatest four years in Iowa State football history.
This is the story of how Brock became more than just the underdog. He became a program-changing icon.
I love what I do. And I love the people I have met along the way.
No matter where I’ve worked, I seem to always work with some of the best people and journalists that a person could know. And that’s what makes the job of being a journalist so much fun. It isn’t just the cool stories you get to create, but it’s the people you meet along the way who make the work never really feel like work.
It is crazy to think that I have already covered some of the most amazing games, interviewed some of biggest names and told some of the most unique stories that a person could ask for and yet my work is just getting started.
From bowl games, to Big 12 Championships, College GameDay, and a Sweet 16 run, my time at Iowa State was some of the best years of my life. And I can say confidently, it made me realize what makes this business so special: we’re called to tell the be the storytellers of the moment. What a privilege.
As I made my way to Ruston, Louisiana, that feeling has stayed with me. Louisiana Tech, nearby Grambling State, and so much more have made this community a wonderful place to grow in my reporting.
As I continue my career, no matter where that takes me, I hope that feeling never leaves.
Covered Ruston’s state championship victory at Caesars SuperDome in NOLA.
Louisiana Tech commit Jadon Mayfield became one of my favorite interviews
I talked with Kim Mulkey, along with other LA Tech Hall of Famers, who returned to Ruston for the unveiling of new statues outside Joe Aillet Stadium.
First year covering football. First bowl game trip. Covering the 2019 Camping World Bowl was a great experience with my fellow Iowa State Daily friends.
Talking with Grambling State head football coach Mickey Joseph at his introductory press conference
Fans are never short on passion at Tech softball games
I had so much fun covering the 2020 Big 12 Championship game in Arlington, Texas, between Iowa State and Oklahoma.
TJ Otzelberger and I talk at Iowa State basketball media day.
Iowa State football media day during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Above and below)
Have to give love to the kickers out there
I got to cover the first ever NASCAR dirt race at the iconic Knoxville Raceway during my internship in Ottumwa. I was fortunate to have some friends covering the race as well so I could look like I knew what I was doing.
Iowa State guard Tre Jackson tells me a funny story about his teammates at men’s basketball media day in Oct. 2021.