Tyler Mayforth

Official Website of Tyler Mayforth | Delaware Born | NOLA Living

SBS: Enterprising the Texas Water Safari

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On April 21, 2015

In Story Behind the Story, Texas Water Safari

Editor’s note: This is the second part of a series chronicling the story behind the stories I feel are some of my best. Here is a tale of how my involvement in the 2013 Texas Water Safari and the British reality TV show “Go Hard or Go Home” came about and turned into “Go Hard or Go Home: A Paddling Adventure.”

I already conquered Warrior Dash, had 10,000 volts of electricity shot through my body not once but twice during Tough Mudder, whizzed past trees at break-neck speeds while zip lining and then skipped all pretenses when I jumped out of a plane at 13,000 feet with an instructor and a parachute strapped to my back, so why not do something in the “To Kill a Yankee Series” that could actually kill me?

That’s what I thought when I replied to an email sent to the sports department at the San Marcos Daily Record by producers of a reality TV show. They wanted to place an ad looking for a paddler to join one of their cast members in the grueling Texas Water Safari, a 260-mile canoe race from San Marcos to Seadrift. Those in the show wouldn’t have to go the full way, just to Gonzales (still a 90-mile paddle).

A few days passed and the producers responded, saying they’d welcome me with open arms. I was sure to let them know that if a better, more suited option replied that they should take that person compared to me. After all, I hadn’t paddled more than 10 miles in a single day before then and while strong, my technique isn’t great.

Whether I competed in the race or not, I wanted to keep my usual routine of stories previewing the event. That meant an introduction to the race on Tuesday, a more in-depth look through the eyes of an expert on Wednesday, a wider scope the next day, a true preview for Friday and then a feature heavy section on Saturday.

Here’s how it went down that fateful week in 2013.

  • Producers interviewed me at my desk on Tuesday, which gave me an easy idea: Why not return the favor and ask why they picked the TWS?
  • On Wednesday I spoke with a paddler with the most finishes in the TWS as well as the race organizer about how tough it would be on a true novice.
  • I met my teammate on Thursday and paddled with her throughout the afternoon, which allowed me a true look at the lower San Marcos River.
  • Then I brought it all together on Friday for Saturday’s advance.
  • Tuesday allowed me a chance to recap my experience and the full race.

If you’re a paddler or just enjoy extreme challenges, take a look at the Texas Water Safari. Thankfully it didn’t kill me, but the last installment of the “To Kill a Yankee Series” was truly the best and most involved of them all.

SBS: Zombie Cats (Texas State) Invade Vegas

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On April 15, 2015

In Journalism, Story Behind the Story

Editor’s note: This is the first part of a series chronicling the story behind the stories I feel are some of my best. Here is the tale of how  “Bobcats down Denver” came about and earned me a first-place honor from the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors for Breaking Spot News (Sports). So, without any further ado…

“I’m not going to lie: I really like our chances against Denver tonight,” an assistant coach for the Texas State men’s basketball team told me inside the gym at The Orleans in Las Vegas. “We scouted them well and put together a great game plan.”

I replied as any degenerate (ergo; sportswriter would): “So you’re telling me I should go put down a money line bet on you guys as soon as I finish working out?”

“Now I didn’t say that,” he replied. “Don’t be getting me in trouble with the NCAA. All I know is that we might need to stay in Las Vegas for at least another night.”

One more night in Sin City? Who could argue with that? I mean, to the untrained eye, work in Las Vegas sounds awesome but when you’re covering a basketball tournament and trying to show your employer that you deserved that trip and trying to get some amazing career-changing clips, there is little time for play.

Two days earlier, the Bobcats — or “Zombie Cats,” as I and several other media members called them — advanced to the quarterfinals with an easy 68-56 win over Seattle University. Texas State never trailed the Redhawks and actually played a semblance of defense (uncommon at the time), earning the zombie moniker.

So all that stood between the Zombie Cats and a spot in the WAC Tournament semifinals — and a possibility of saving head coach Doug Davalos his job (spoiler alert, it didn’t) — was Denver. Texas State lost by 11 on the road the Pioneers, then were drilled by 15 at home despite a career-high effort by Joel Wright (33 points).

Wright stepped up again in the third meeting, as did his teammates. Behind 32 points by Wright, the Bobcats jumped ahead early and held off Denver en route to a 72-68 upset win. Texas State was the seventh seed, while the Pioneers were No. 2.

Near the end of the game, however, I heard several of the Bobcats chanting. I had an idea of what it was, but didn’t want to say for sure and be horribly, horribly wrong.

So I asked the head coach after the game. He smiled and said, “No comment.”

After the press conference, I pulled a student manager aside and he told me exactly what it was — “Change our flight. Change our flight. Change our flight.”

For some reason, the Bobcats were scheduled to fly back to San Marcos, Texas on Thursday night. Someone didn’t have faith that the Zombie Cats would make it to the semfinals. Well, they did and I’m quite glad, because it gave me a great clip.

Oh, and by the way, I made some money betting Texas State. I’m a stinker.

Phil Mickelson and other athletes I love to cheer

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On April 12, 2015

In Golf, Sports

Throughout the work day yesterday, a co-worker and I had the Masters Golf Tournament on in the background as we pieced together another solid Sunday paper. The TV served as white noise for the simple matter that neither of us like silence and it was incredible to see what 21-year-old Jordan Spieth was doing.

Then, in one instant, we stopped our work and glued our eyes on the TV set.

Phil Mickelson was measuring his second shot on Firethorn, the par-5 15th.

Mickelson addressed his ball and let loose a fantastic swing. His shot climbed into the blue Augusta sky and bounced 10 feet from the hole. Could it dunk the cup?

We both yelled in unison: “Come on, Phil. Get that (double-eagle) albatross.”

As the ball narrowly missed the pin and rolled past the hole, our moment in unison gave way to a laugh and Mickelson soon two-putted for a birdie to drop him to -11.

Could you imagine the ensuing roar that would echo through Augusta National if that shot fell? After all, Mickelson has a flair for the dramatic at the Masters. Don’t tell me you forgot this shot from Mickelson five years ago on Azalea, the par-5 13th.

I don’t know why, but Mickelson is one of those players people love to cheer. There were two of us in the Athens (Ga.) Banner-Herald newsroom rooting for his quick climb up the leaderboard to put pressure on Spieth, who fell back to Earth a bit.

Other than Mickelson, there are a few athletes I always want to see succeed.

Paul Goldschmidt — I covered Goldschmidt, also known as “GOLDY” in my close circle, for two years at Texas State. He’s a total class act and one of the first guys I covered to make it to the professional level. While I don’t watch too many of his games since he plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks, I’ll always check the box score and give a small nod of approval should I see a home run or similar big hits.

Joplo Bartu — Bartu is another athlete I covered at Texas State. After he set the field on fire in 2012, Bartu was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent (even though if Dennis Franchione didn’t foolishly move him to defensive end, he could have been a mid-round draft pick, but I digress). Injuries moved Bartu into a starting role as a rookie and he’s been solid ever since then. Plus, he’s a great guy and was always incredibly honest and open with me during interviews.

The underdog — Maybe that’s what drew me to Mickelson all those years ago. I can say for sure that’s what made covering the San Marcos Lady Rattlers last year in the Texas Class 5A state playoffs so much fun. No one expected them to win district or bi-district or area or the regional quarterfinal. Plus, I got some great clips from it.

I’m sure there are others, but those are the ones that jumped into my mind first.

Photo courtesy of The Associated Press/Matt Slocum.

That one golf shot that brings you back

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On April 11, 2015

In Athletic Achievements, Golf

While watching the Masters Golf Tournament this afternoon, I remembered back to a few years ago when I played in a foursome with Texas State head football coach Dennis Franchione, his offensive coordinator Mike Schultz and my boss at the time.

For some reason unbeknownst to me, the decision was made to play at one of the toughest courses in the Lone Star State. Nicknamed “The Challenger,” Ram Rock is a par-71 monster outside of Marble Falls, Texas with a demanding 18-hole layout.

A hack like me is probably gifted one good shot per round — to go along with all of the bad ones — and boy, was I graced by the golf gods with the one I hit on No. 4.

Satan himself couldn’t have designed a better hole (pictured above). It’s a 191-yard Par 3 with an island green and bunkers protecting the front and back.

I teed off second and prayed I wouldn’t end up in the drink. Whatever prayer I said was answered as I hit one of the purest balls to ever leave my club. Once I looked up, I saw the ball roll within seven feet of the hole. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I settled down, drained the birdie putt and let’s just say the round ended there.

That remains one of my greatest accomplishments on the golf course, even though my former boss could tell you of another that spurned a legend to this very day.

No matter how many shots you take on the golf course — given to you by the cart girl or not — you never forget the good ones. Those keep you coming back for more.

From Afternoon to Morning, Nothing Changes

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On April 7, 2015

In Georgia, Journalism

While I’m nestled in Athens, Georgia, I still keep tabs on San Marcos, Texas.

How could I not? I spent nearly seven years of my life in that town.

Of particular interest to me is the quality of work my former assistant does (I’m proud of hiring him and want to see him succeed) as well as the state of my former newspaper, the San Marcos Daily Record.

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Wednesday Night Means Trivia Night in Georgia

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On March 26, 2015

In Georgia, Life Stuff

What do a Mushroom Swiss burger and all-or-nothing trivia questions have in common? More than you think, actually.

Back in Texas, there was a restaurant called Tap Room. It had 42 beers on tap, but more importantly some of the best burgers known to man.

Every Thursday and Sunday, the Tap Room had incredible specials. Thursday was “Buy one burger, get one beer free” and then Sunday was “Buy one burger, get the other half-off.” Thursday was generally one of my lighter days in the office, while Sunday was a day off, so I alternated each week which day I chowed down.

Now that I’m living in Georgia, my days off are Tuesday and Wednesday. Those first few days off, I tried to find the best food specials in town to no avail. As much as I hate to say it, there aren’t any good burger joints in Athens.

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Georgia’s loss triggers flood of past sports memories

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On March 23, 2015

In Life Happenings

While watching Michigan State dispatch Georgia last weekend in the “second round” of the NCAA Tournament, I thought back to a few years ago when I went to the Round of 32 on a whim with my roommate. It was held at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, a 45-minute drive from where we lived in San Marcos.

We tried to go the previous year when Austin’s Frank Erwin Center played host, but tickets were hard to come by. My roommate was (and probably still is) a huge Florida fan and the Gators ended winning two games in Texas (beating Northwestern State and Minnesota) en route to the Elite Eight.

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Writing Isn’t Writing

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On March 21, 2015

In Writing

So I sat down on my couch ready to write.

I had these grandeur plans about writing a great blog post.

I bounced ideas off a good friend of mine (Todd), but nothing stuck.

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March Madness and Spring in Georgia

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On March 17, 2015

In Georgia, Life Stuff

Forget December: March is the most wonderful time of the year.

Spring has sprung, birds are chirping and it hit 80 degrees in Athens, Georgia.

Plus, it’s time for the annual event where my bracket gets shot to pieces and I lose all but two of my Sweet 16 picks by the “third” round — or whatever they call the old “second” round these days. And by event, I mean the NCAA Tournament. The Big Dance. March Madness. Did I hit all the proper SEO terms? Good.

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Finally, the long-awaited WrestleMania tale

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On March 13, 2015

In Life Stuff, WrestleMania, Wrestling

Growing up, I loved wrestling.

All right. You got me. I was downright fanatical.

Every weekend over the span of what had to be two years, I picked up a wrestling tape from the movie store (Remember those?) when my parents gave me and my sister free reign of the place.

Not only that, but I staged my own wrestling matches — complete with back stories and all — with stuffed animals. I’m not ashamed to admit that. Putting on an entire card of matches takes skill and creativity. If I remember correctly, Bear and Big Bunny put on some classics — mostly of the hardcore and last-man-standing variety — while Mickey Mouse and Goofy crushed the tag-team division.

You’re totally judging me now, right? Awesome! Let’s move on.

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