Catching up: The dog days of summer and exciting times ahead

I’M UPSET. 

Not really. But do I have your attention now? I think that’s how some of those columnists do it. Anyway, let’s proceed. 

It’s been a while since my last column for Arizona Varsity. A lot has changed. We’re now officially part of the On3 brand and had a website migration. The new design is sweet and On3’s decision to keep Rivals as the high school sports brand is genius. 

There are still some hiccups but that’s to be expected with a change of that caliber. So, with that said, please make sure to subscribe. Not only does it benefit us, but it benefits you, too, in the form of exclusive content and access to the message boards where we drop some fire ish — as the kids say. 

The last couple of weeks have been hectic for me on a personal level. As some of you may know — and if you don’t that’s OK — I am now living in Colorado. I figured one (Ralph) wasn’t enough Arizona Varsity members to cover the state from outside the state, so I moved. 

Not really. But that’s sort of what it seems like. 

Anyway, when I moved up here with my family in January it shocked a lot of people. I was still working for Hypamark and Ability360 at the time. In February I landed a gig that I never thought in a millions years I would be a part of: Rodeo. 

I’ve always dreamed of working for a professional organization. But those dreams included the NFL, NBA or specific teams. So in other words, I had the same dream as every other Cronkite graduate that has ever stepped foot in those hallways. Which is fine, dream big, right? 

But I saw this opportunity and thought of it as a stepping stone at first into the professional sports world. 

Boy was I wrong. 

This position is more than just a stepping stone. It’s a full-blown long-term career. That brings me to my first sub-headline of this column (and if you’re already bored you can skip to where I talk about Arizona high school football — but I’ll be mad at you).

Cowboy Zach

Working in professional rodeo for the largest (and best in my opinion) governing body has brought so many unique opportunities, new challenges and excitement. Those are all things I was missing from my previous gigs, including the East Valley Tribune toward the end. 

I oversee all content on prorodeo.com. I write and edit — with help from a great boss, great reporter and great freelancers — a digital and print magazine every month. It’s rewarding, especially during this time of year. I’ll get more into that in a moment. 

I get to travel to rodeos. I’ve been to Houston, Las Vegas for media day, Greeley, locally here in Colorado Springs and a little town in Central Kansas called Abbyville, which has just over 75 residents, no school, bank or restaurants. The PRCA approved that trip simply because it was a passion project of mine. That says a lot. 

I’ll be heading to Cheyenne later this month for Frontier Days, New Mexico potentially in August, Sioux Falls in September and Las Vegas for two weeks in December for the National Finals Rodeo, the Super Bowl of the PRCA. The job is nothing like I’ve ever experienced. And I get to dress Western, which shocked a lot of people the other day — including the Arizona Varsity staff — when I shared our podcast, The Chute Bosses. 

But you know what? Poke fun at me, AZV crew. I have fun in this job, I get to go to cool places and meet awesome people, and my wife says I look good in Western wear so that’s really all that matters. 

Anyway, if Ralph doesn’t delete this next part I’ll be surprised. Please, just like you support my work here with Arizona Varsity, support my work with the PRCA. Follow The Chute Bosses on Instagram. Subscribe to the PRCA YouTube channel and follow all of its socials. Leave comments saying I’m doing an amazing job. 

Ok, you don’t need to do that last part, but everything before that would be appreciated. 

Giddy-up.

Dog Days of Summer

If you read that last part, thank you. If you skipped to this part, shame on you.  

We’ve officially reached the most dreaded time of the summer for Arizona high school football. It’s hot, like really hot. There are no practices happening. Sevens is done, camps are done for the most part. 

It’s a time of year that tests everybody’s patience. Some kids are back in school but not able to suit up and start hitting. Some kids are still at home dreading the day they do have to report back to class. As reporters, we either take vacation this time of year or try to come up with something that’s remotely interesting for our readers. 

It’s a struggle. But the reward will be worth it. The cracking of pads, the blowing of whistles and the satisfaction of watching up-downs but not actually having to do them because I’m old now. 

But most importantly, the countdown becomes exciting. As it stands, we’re a little over a month away from another high school football season in Arizona. Just a little longer, we can make it. 

Some housekeeping items

• I will be bringing back the statewide media poll this year. To my media friends, lookout for an email in the next few weeks. This only works with all of you. 
• The Phoenix Union situation was a strange one. The investigation I posted about, I was told, began at least a week before my post. I reached out to the district hoping to get more information about the allegations but was only told, “There is no ongoing investigation.” To me, that sounds like the evidence presented couldn’t be confirmed. So we move forward. 
• Pending an unexpected work trip, I will be in Aurora, Colo., to cover the Brophy vs Regis Jesuit game this season. The Broncos stomped Regis last year and I fully expect that to happen again. This time, however, I might actually need to bring a light jacket to watch it happen. 
• If you have any feature or human-interest stories please reach out. DM me on X, ask a coach for my phone number. I’m speak for all of Team AZV when I say we’re always looking for ways to highlight cool athletes. 
• As I mentioned before, the start of the season is coming. Athletes, please use this downtime to prepare for school. Don’t let your grades slip these first few weeks and risk eligibility. You’re student-athletes, please remember that. 

Last but not least

Lastly, I leave you with something that some of you may care about and most probably won’t. 

Like I said earlier, I now live in Colorado. But if you think I won’t be at any Arizona high school football games this season, you clearly don’t know how passionate I am about the community that let me flourish in my career. 

So, with that being said, I’ll see all of you soon.