Meet The Journalist: Blog 1

Hello! My name is Justin Cusson and I am currently a senior at SUNY Plattsburgh studying a public relations major, as well as a journalism minor. Sports have always been a huge part of my life, embedding its deep roots into not only my heart, but my soul. I have always found sports to be an escape from everyday life. It gives you a goal, a purpose, and a team that feels more like family when it's all said and done. Whether it is a team sport, or has more of an individual factor, athletes must face tribulations, it's what they do after such downfalls that define them. Look at the greats for example, Michael Jordan won three NBA championships after his father was tragically killed at the hands of a robber. Or Isaiah Thomas, when he dropped 53 points in game 1 against the Bulls after his sister died in a car accident. It is in these moments in which sports become more than just a game, but rather a soul binding connection.

With this love in mind, I like to branch out my followership to what I find most interesting at the time. I consistently root for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Blue Jays, New England Patriots, and teams like the Lakers and the Nets. I find myself usually always rooting for the underdogs, but I do like my fair share of superstars. I also dabble into the motorsports world with the racing series Formula 1. There's just something about seeing that cherry-red Ferrari speed around the tight chicanes of Monaco.

One of my favorite sports memories I can recall would actually be quite a recent one. If some are not aware, the Montreal Canadiens defied all of the odds and progressed all of the way to the Stanley Cup Final. What might be a regular instance in some fans case, *cough,cough* Tampa-Bay *cough,cough*, to us Habs fans this was a gift sent from the hockey gods above. Watching the game, enjoying a couple of cold Miller Lites with the pops, and seeing a team that ultimately had no hope in the regular season make it that far was an awesome experience. It was an overtime goal from Josh Anderson, his second of the night, to seal the game and the series. Running around my yard screaming, “C’EST LA VIE!” I was able to celebrate and hug my father like we just won the lottery making it a really special moment and something I will never forget.